Finding Homework Structure

One of my parents loves the fact that I refer that homework should become exactly like going to the bathroom. The child shouldn't have to think about it too much. The sooner they know what the structure is then the more work they will get done.

Most children need structure to achieve. Even the most defiant child needs the structure of knowing what is the time to be defiant? If they know homework is at 6:00 then it is game on.

Here is a suggested structure to bring peace and harmony into any house.

1. Use the structure of school to your advantage. Most teachers will give homework on a Monday with a due date of Friday. Let this be your baseline structure. Monday evening have your child explain to you what work is on their plate. Don't jump right into doing the homework. Let them talk about how they see the assignments.

2. Identify what they "think" is the hardest work. Example your child feels writing the report is the hardest thing. That is the work you do with them on Monday night. Get that out of the way. Just yesterday in a session a child thought something would take hours, but we got it done in 10 minutes. Not only did we get it done, but he clearly saw that his head isn't always telling him the truth.

3. Then delegate the rest back to them. Once you help them with the hard part then they are on their own to finish the work. Encourage them to do a little bit more on Monday night. Check their work, but don't do the work.

4. Change the deadline. Explain that the school may want their homework on Friday, but in your house it is due on Thursday. If a child is doing homework on Thursday night then something is wrong. This guideline will let them know homework is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is your catch all day. This way nothing falls through the cracks.

These simple changes will reduce stress and create a winning environment. For more tips come to a "2 Hours 2 Sanity" parent homework workshop. If you can't make the time schedule a private one in your home. For those outside of Los Angeles you can order a private SKYPE session. Call today (310) 492-3121.

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Bright Children

     Every parent workshop is different and a unique theme emerges from the group.  Tonight it was parents who have "gifted children."

     The irony is that in the current schooling system the "gifted child" is the one left behind.  There are children left behind when the focus shifts from education to testing.  Children are taught to be in the middle.

     Where does this leave the child that isn't in the middle?

     What message does teaching to the middle send to a gifted child?

     What is a gifted child?

     How are they challenged?

     What motivates them to learn, grow and push themselves?

     These are all great questions which came up in the parent homework workshop tonight.  Gifted children seem to have a theme when homework doesn't go their way - they throw fits.

     I define a gifted child as someone who is present.  They know that teaching to thirty children in a classroom doesn't make sense.  They know they learn more out on the school playground than sitting in their chair.  They aren't challenged by the work in the classroom.  It annoys them that they have to be held accountable to a level below their learning capacity.

     The main thing to find out is when a child like this is struggling are they acting up, or acting out?

     Acting up is a way that they are asking for help.  They are really saying, "Doesn't anyone else out there see that this doesn't make sense?"  It is their cry for help.  If nobody sees that the teacher isn't challenging them then they lose.  They lose because they have to spend hours and days in a room that isn't challenging.

     If they are not heard during the acting up phase it will lead to the acting out phase.  

     The acting out phase simply means they were not heard during the acting up part.

     Acting up is healthy.

     Acting up is how this country was founded.

     Acting up is how we learn and grow.

     Get involved with your child.  Find out what is really going on in that classroom.  

     If they are not engaged in the classroom then find ways to engage them out of the classroom.

    

Next Workshop 8/17/2009

Roger Wilkerson is the total Child Whisperer when it comes to math. My daughter thought she was naturally "bad" at math and he found her blocks and turned her mindset around 180. Now he is facilitating workshops over the summer for parents.

Below is more info from Roger:

The school system tends to put us into a position where we are saddled with one more battle with our child - homework! Summer is the time that we can re-group and change our approach for the onslaught of Fall.

We will focus on the most effective tools to keep our kids engaged and even passionate about homework - yes, even math! We will evolve from being "a punitive parent" to co-learner and partner with our child when it comes to homework and school projects.

This 2 Hour Workshop will also cover:
1. The common problems we face in regards to motivation and homework.
2. Your household/family dynamic and its unique challenges.
3. Solutions we can bring into action that night.
4. Support resources to make the process fun and stay on track.For more information:Facebook: Roger The Math Tutor
Contact (310) 492-3121
mathtutor.roger@gmail.com
http://www.rogerthemathtutor.blogspot.com/

$40 prior to event$60 day of event

Another Note From A Parent...

Hello Roger,

I would like to share with you the absolutely wonderful experience my children had with you. Each of my kids have very different personalities so usually I can not find one person that can work with all three kids.

However you are a Rock Star. They all loved you and benefited tremendously in such a short time. I was amazed with the confidence you were able to instill in my kids with regard to test taking skills. My daughter Sarah came home from school to call me after day one of testing and she said “Mom, Roger was so great. He is the BEST. I felt sooooooo good taking my test. I’ve never felt better.”

Thanks again for everything. I will surely spread the word and we hope to see you during the next school year….

Leah