Ten Ways to Get the Kids Interested in Homework

Getting kids to feel excited about their homework can feel like trying to convince them that stocks make great birthday gifts. It’s not easy, but the secret is with the right approach, you can turn homework from a traded daily chore into a chill out and confidence building routine. They may not end up hating homework in the end!

It takes a little bit of creativity, so if homework is a thing at your child’s school, then it’s time to pull on your patience pants and build in some impromptu dance breaks, and change the vibe so that homework is more charming and less chore. Here are some brand new ways that you can spark a little love of learning.

1. Let the kids set the rules. Kids will always thrive on a sense of control, so let them help you to shape how homework time goes. Do they want to start with their maths or their reading practice? Do they prefer to work in the kitchen or under a blanket fort? Would they like to do double consonants or science? You could even Co create a homework agreement together and add silly rules like one stretch break per worksheet or snack. Decisions must be unanimous. Giving them a say can really help to reduce resistance.Increase their buying power. Children want to feel like they are in control of the situation, any situation. Homework is no different.
2. Build a new routine with a twist. Children thrive with routine and routines help them to know what to expect with a little variety. You can keep that routine interesting by setting a consistent homework time and schedule. But change up how the homework is working. You’re going to really help them to stay engaged. Instead of them dreading what homework looks like, they’re going to be excited to get involved. One day it’s writing with glitter pens and the next they’re going outside into the garden to do hopscotch while answering maths problems. You can always build in some mysteries too, so that there is a surprise activity or snack or even a challenge that kicks off the homework vibe.
3. Put together a soundtrack. Some kids are audio learners so you can find a lot of learning material on podcasts and on Spotify. Music can also make everything better, even fractions. Curating a homework hits playlist together with instrumental tracks, lo fi beats and study music, if they’re the chilled out type can really help. Some children focus better with background music, and the ritual of pressing play can help them to switch into homework mode. Let’s also not forget that most songs are between 2:00 and 3:00 minutes long, which means that whatever they work on for those couple of minutes can be changed for the next song.
4. Make spelling words come alive. If you want spelling to be interesting to your kids, then it doesn’t have to mean writing the same word 10 times or learning by rote. Go and buy some giant sidewalk chalk and start writing outside. You can even get them to use the hose to wash down the words when they’re done. You can get them to create word arts with double consonants and use magnetic letters to spell on the fridge. By taking them away from pen and paper learning, you are showing them that learning can be interesting and more fun.
5. Design a homework menu. It can be more fun to enjoy homework as if they’re picking items off of a menu instead of handing over a to do list. You can list the options like appetizers and main courses and a dessert. The appetiser can be a selection of warm up activities like reading a paragraph or solving 2 math problems. The main course is their bigger task such as writing or project. For dessert, you could have a game or drawing or something fun that still incorporates learning, but with movement too. They can then order their homework session and it’s fun adding structure without being bossy.

6. Get them to pick out a study buddy. Soft animals and toys aren’t just cute, they are surprisingly helpful. It’s important to let your kids teach their toy how to do the homework, too. Suddenly they’re explaining their grammar rules to Mr. Snuggles and breaking down double consonants for rainbow bunnies. This is a great trick that works really well, especially for younger learners or reluctant learners. It also gives you a breather while your child turns into the teacher.
7. Bring the senses on board. Some kids learn best from multiple senses being engaged, so you could try using scented markers for writing or tapping out syllables. They could feel textures like writing spelling words in rice or shaving cream. Not only does it break the monotony, but it helps the information to stick.
8. Turn homework into a game. Challenge your child to beat their focus record from the previous day. See if they can finish their reading log in less time with no distractions, or complete their maths problems with fewer do overs. Keep it light, because this is not about pressure.
9. Create homework tokens. In the same way a sticker chart works to motivate homework, tickets and tokens are something that your child could collect each day. When they collect a certain number of tokens, they can choose a new movie to watch, or stay up 15 minutes later than bedtime, or even choose what’s for breakfast on Saturday.
10. Laugh with them. If things are going to get frustrating from time to time when it comes to homework hour. Laugh with them where you can because humour keeps things light and diffuses any tension buildup. It also reminds children that learning is a process and not a test. If they’re spelling puppy or paddle or bottle becomes a comedy act full of exaggerated sounds and games of charades, they’re more likely to continue learning and have fun with that.