Parenting in the Rain, Episode 10
11 Tips to Homework Success  for You & Your Child with Attention Deficit Disorder
In This Episode:
1st Tip: Routine
Is it difficult to fit homework into your busy schedules?  Have you ever been up with your child at 10pm or later struggling to finish homework?
Scheduling a set time each day, preferably right after school, can help tremendously.  Routines help people feel secure, safe, and in control.  This holds especially true for children with focus issues struggling with homework productivity.  A solid routine should look, feel, and sound the same each day.   
For example:
 

4:00 pm Eat Snack, Drink Water, Take Shoes Off


4:10 pm Set Up Homework Materials (paper, pencils, pens, books, etc) in the same, distraction reduced/free place each day


4:30 pm Take a 1-2 Minute Stretch Break , Walk Around (Set Timer)


4:32 pm Resume Doing Homework (20 Minutes Later Take Another Break)

 
2nd Tip: Enjoyment
Do you ever feel like a “tyrant” parent at homework time? Yelling, threatening, and shaming your child into completing assignments, only to realize that success is costing you and your family happiness and feelings of his self-worth?  
Upbeat, positive support during homework time makes the tasks easier to deal with, while utilizing energy for homework itself.  Remember, our children will often reflect our mood as their own.  So doing our best to keep itmpositive and cheerful can result in the same from them.  However, the same is true for negativity.  If we are grumpy, our child will likely mirror that as well.
3rd Tip: Visual Timer
Has your child ever continuously asked “When can I be done?” so many times that it inhibits her ability to focus on the task at hand?  
A visual timer can help. Provide your child with some type of a visual timing device (i.e. clock, timer, etc.…).  This reduces the distraction of time, which enhances focus.  Here’s one that I recommend…   Homework Time Tracker * an affiliate link for a product that I love!
4th Tip: Organized Space
Do you struggle to find a spot for your child to do homework?  
Clutter can destroy motivation and productivity!  Block off 30 minutes to create an organized space that minimizes distractions, allows for comfort, and is clutter free.  Simply put, people are more productive in such environments. This will be time well spent.
5th Tip: Managed Movement
Do you ever find yourself continuously asking your child to sit down and get back to work? Do tolerance levels decrease while frustrations go through the roof?
Allowing your child to move can help.  Sometimes standing at the table can help, sitting on balance ball chair, allowing for wiggling in the seat can help, especially for children with Attention Deficit Disorder.  Some people have great success with putting painter’s tape to create boundaries for the child to move in, while remaining at their work station.  
*here’s an affiliate link to an excise ball that I use with my kiddos Balance Ball Chair
6th Tip: Frequent Breaks
Have you ever tried to power through homework time, only to realize that it took 3 times the amount of time you estimated?
Frequent breaks can help.  The benefit of frequent breaks should not be underestimated.  A 1-2 minute stretch break can make children’s ideas flow more freely, allow for a release of pinned up energy, and help the brain to function more efficiently.  Movement is SO helpful for brain function, especially for children with Attention Deficit Disorder.  Time well spent, for sure!
7th Tip: Proximity for Productivity
Have you ever walked in to the room to find your child goofing off, when they were supposed to working on homework or studying?  
There is no substitute for being physically close (remember to be respectful of his personal space) to him during this time.  The amount of closeness varies depending on his needs, but in general there is no substitute for being there.  Closeness demonstrates support, reduces the temptation to go off task, and allo