Homework assignments are designed to assist kids in extending their learning, solve problems, manage time, work independently and take on more responsibilities. It is essential for them to complete assignments, but the fact is – nobody really likes doing homework. Know about the top 5 reasons that justify your child’s hatred for homework, and how to solve the problem.
5 Reasons why your kid hates homework
Here are 5 reasons why your kid possibly hates homework, and why the hatred is justified as well as significant.
- Nothing more than a chore
Once your kid has been through 7 hours of grueling and seemingly boring classes at school, he is justified in finding homework as nothing more than a chore. It rightly angers and frustrates him, and the message that homework is designed to reinforce all that has been taught on the same day at school is lost on them.
They are upset about having to do something over and above their school activities, even after coming back home. Just like you would not like to take work to home from office, kids do not like to return home to study.
- Excessive burden
When kids look at homework, they hardly find anything interesting in the activity. It merely adds to their woes to come back home to reinforce what they have already learnt for so long. For many students, it equate to torture.
Merely going through something that makes the same point can be boring for kids who are bundles of energy and would like to spend their time pursuing interesting and engaging activities.
- Lack of enough time
Even after spending 3 – 4 hours in homework, most students feel that they do not have sufficient time to finish their assignments. All through their school day, most students get tasks from various teachers. Often, teachers do not coordinate their assignments. This leaves students overwhelmed with the number of assignments that they have to complete in a single evening.
As homework is generally graded, they do not have any other option than finishing everything at home before morning. They do not get any time for relaxing or recreation, and may even have to go to bed late and wake up drowsy in the morning. It puts a lot of stress on kids.
- Persistent assignments
Most kids also hate assignments due to the fact that they are constantly being allotted to them. On all 5 days of the week and even on weekends they are supposed to complete their homework. It becomes a constant in their life, and they feel that they keep on studying throughout the day.
Many students go on to complain that the purpose of their life is merely studying, and it only dehumanizes them – stripping off all their needs, desires, relaxation and rest. The frustration builds up quickly, and they get slowly disengaged from school and overall education.
It can have a very negative impact on their short and long-term academic performance and results. Their inability to manage time and find enough rest for themselves can also impact their mental and physical health.
- Lack of support
Kids also hate homework due to the fact that they lack the tools, resources or support which can help them in finishing their assignments outside school.
Students are unable to get help from their school tutors at home, and have to depend on parents or private tutors. When that is not up to the mark, they are frustrated and get angry with the whole process of education. If this is viewed in this way, homework borders on abuse.
How to Help Your Kids to Overcome Hatred for Homework Assignments?
As a parent, you can use the following measures to help your child overcome his intense dislike for homework-
- Act as his guide
Your child looks for support when he has to handle his homework, and you can act as his guide. Sit with him and discuss the questions about how he can tackle the issue. Assist him in breaking up longer assignments into smaller and more manageable ones.
Once he begins to work, you should check his progress and whether he is proceeding properly with the questions. Despite the temptation to help him, do not directly give him the answer. Let him learn by mistake and think for himself.
- Create a nice study zone
You should create a nice and practical spot for your child to study in, so that he does not get distracted or irritated easily. Consult him in designing the study space.
While some children like to study in isolated spots, others love to work on a desk or a dining table which is close to other family members. Ensure that the space is well illuminated and quiet. Just like an office table, you should keep all the supplies easily accessible in the study space, such as:
- Art supplies
- Ruler
- Paper
- Pencils
- Calculator
- Stapler
Hang a calendar and a bulletin board to help him keep track of the entire schedule.
- Establish a routine
Once an activity develops into a habit for your child, he will embrace rather than fight it. You should develop a predictable routine so that he knows what he should expect at which time. In this way, you will not have to break into his football game to announce that he has to do his homework. You can consult him in establishing the routine, based on his inputs about when he will feel most productive as far as homework is concerned.
- Create a reward system
While some children are motivated by good grades, others need more incentives. You can develop an incentive program whereby your kid will get something of his choice if he works hard for it. Do not reward your child with money.
You can allow him to watch a TV show, play for more time, skip organizing his room for one day, get a few more cookies, etc. as part of the reward program. A reward is not a bribe; it is a way of positive reinforcement whereby your child is praised for accepting his responsibilities and fulfilling them on time.
- Use every available resource
Kids start hating homework, even more, when they are unable to understand it, and the available study material does not provide them with a logical explanation. You can take care of this problem by using online resources.
You can check out websites dedicated to the understanding of specific subjects to get examples and detailed explanations which can be useful for your child in grasping his assignments. If you have money, you can get a private tutor to help out your child with his homework.
- Talk to his teachers
Discuss your kid’s homework with his school teacher can help you to understand what he needs, any tools or notes that can assist him and any suggestions that you have not yet considered. You may also understand whether there is any underlying problem in your children, such as an attention disorder, hearing or vision problem or a learning disability.
You can talk to his school counselor to get necessary advice on how to help your kid overcome this problem and continue his education, study, homework and tests, as normally as possible.