9 tips that can help your child focus and finish their homework

Having trouble getting your child to finish their homework? Is their focus wavering? Are they getting distracted? Here are some tips that can help.

Allocate a time for homework

If your child gets homework every day, have him work on it at the same time every day [Though homework every day seems like a lot!!]. Make it earlier in the evening rather than later. As the time approaches, get them prepared for it.

If it is on the weekend. make it Saturday morning. You can tell them that if they get their homework done, they can have the rest of the weekend to do all the things they want to do.

Plan with the child on what they can do after homework

Motivation comes in many forms. Discuss with the child, what she will do after the homework. Once they know what they will be doing after homework, it will motivate them to finish their work.

Put the study area in a quiet corner

Setup the study desk or work area in a quiet corner where distraction like TVs, or people walking around are not distracting your child. Give him less reasons to look up from his work and observe other distractions.

Make the study area well lit

Ensure there is adequate light where they are working. Low light can cause them to get distracted and daydream.

Remove any distractions from the study area

Before your child starts her work, remove any distractions from the study area like toys, storybooks etc., Do not keep anything within arm's reach.

Before they start, ask them to tell you what they need to do

How many times have we parents gone to the child after some time has passed, only to find them sitting around saying "I don't understand this problem or this question"? Combat this early and ask them before they start, what they need to do. If they do not know, ask them to open up their bag, find the homework, read the instructions and tell you what they will have to do.

Check the equipment

Before they start, confirm with them that they have all the equipment they need - from pencils to any special instruments - and that they are all in working condition. Check in a few minutes after they have started work, to verify that things are still working.

Find a good excuse to keep walking by them

This helps in two ways. If they are stuck, they will ask you when they see you. If they are not focused, your visit will put them back on track.

Separate the siblings or not!

If you have multiple children and they all have homework, you can have them work near each other or separately. It depends on your children. Some work very well together while some distract each other to no end. You may walk in only to find out that they have been yapping away for the last 30 minutes about something that happened in school with not a care about their homework. Try it out and see what works for you.