By Holly Fertsch
If you have ever worked in education, you know what time of year it is. It’s the time when teachers and students alike begin to see a glimmer of hope because summer is around the corner. Only a few more months, then there will be freedom.
Surviving these last few months, though, can be challenging due to a plague that infects students around this time every year: spring fever.
Before you throw up your hands and give up on students who have already mentally checked out of school, try these troubleshooting tips for getting kids to complete assignments each when the sun is shining and the work is boring.
Identify the problem.
Don’t just assume kids are being lazy or defiant. Take a deep breath, and ask why they are having trouble completing assignments.
Why should you trust me, though? Well, I have over 10 years of experience as a local tutor. I also have worked in schools in a variety of roles. Here are common reasons I have seen for refusal or difficulty completing assignments:
- They don’t believe in themselves or think they are capable of doing it.
- They don’t understand where to start on an assignment.
- They are trying to hide that they don’t understand the assignment or class material.
- They are anxious about making mistakes and feel paralyzed.
- More appealing activities are calling for their attention.
- They are losing track of time and having difficulty scheduling a time to do it.
- They lack a calm, distraction-free environment to do homework.
- They don’t understand why the assignment matters.
- They are hungry or tired, which makes it hard to focus.
- They want to feel a sense of control.
In my experience, the problem is rarely defiance. Usually, kids just need help getting started, some guidance, and encouragement.
Partner with them to solve the problem.
I know this is easier said than done. However, the kid or teen probably doesn’t want to have difficulty with school either. While they may come off as defensive, they likely want to do better as much as you want them to do better. They just need help figuring out how to improve. Keep a mindset of working with the child to problem-solve and make a plan.
Remember, kids and teens do not have the same organizational skills as adults.
Children and teens still have developing brains. The part of the brain that does not finish developing until their mid-20s is the same part that is in charge of executive functioning. Executive functions include abilities to do the following: shift attention, tune out distractions, prioritize, organize, plan, manage time effectively, and control impulsiveness.
While students with ADHD have an even harder time with executive functioning than their peers, it is normal for all kids and teens to struggle with those skills compared to neurotypical adults. Therefore, students may have a hard time shifting their attention away from funner activities to do homework. They may also fail to prioritize homework over other things.
Since students are still developing executive functioning, they may just be losing track of time each day. When they say they will do homework “later,” they aren’t necessarily lying. Instead, they likely are having a hard time gauging how long it will take them to do homework and having difficulty scheduling a time to do it.
Try these common solutions.
First off, consider whether the kid needs a snack or nap once they get home from school. Don’t think this only applies to young children. Teens probably are more tired and hungry than any other age group of students. Offer a snack and quiet time after school if needed. They can use quiet time to crash after a long day. Anxious kids can also use that time to de-stress.
Second, try setting a structured time for homework each day. This time should be the same every day if possible, so that it becomes an expected part of their day. Homework time does not necessarily need to be as soon as they get home from school. Figure out what schedule works best for your child.
If your child claims to not have homework, consider having them do another educational activity instead during this time. Have the kid read, do creative writing, or play an educational game. Screen-free, educational games include Hangman, Mad Libs, and Multiplication War. These games can also be adapted for varying abilities and grade levels. If your child repeatedly claims to not have any homework, consider checking with their teacher.
Consider whether your kid has a quiet, calm place to do homework. Are their siblings fighting loudly? Is a baby crying? Are there sounds of traffic or construction outside? Kids can lack a distraction-free environment for reasons as serious as family dysfunction or violence, but this is more commonly due to things like having rowdy siblings or living in an apartment with thin walls.
Try taking your kid to a library or coffee shop for homework time. If that’s not doable, let the school know that the student lacks a distraction-free homework space. They may be able to provide your child or teen with more opportunities to do homework at school.
Background music or white noise can help some kids focus better and drown out more distracting noises. However, pay attention to how your child reacts to music. Are they getting too hyped and dancing? Consider playing instrumental music or rain sounds instead if that’s the case.
If kids don’t believe they are capable, motivating them can be an uphill battle. They need a reason to try when they cannot imagine not failing. Prizes and rewards can be used as a motivator in the interim while these students are learning to believe in themselves.
A simple reward is letting students do something enjoyable once homework or studying is done. This can include playing games, picking out movies, or just talking about whatever they are interested in. Seriously, a reward can be just letting a Pokemon-obsessed kid talk about Pokemon for five minutes once they finish their work. Tailor the reward toward each kid’s interests.
