- Problem: Your child does not write down homework assignments.
Before you begin do the following:
Observe your child. Be as specific as possible when naming the problem.
Take notes. Write down the problem. List everything that you try and the results of your effort.
- Desired Outcome:
Your child will understand the importance of writing down his/her homework assignments. Your child will write homework assignments. Note: Please note that we are referring to ‘writing down’ assignments. There are many ways to record assignments and your child may be having difficulty with one of them. Many of the following suggestions will still apply, just change the mode of recording to fit your situation. Talk with your child and your family about the desired outcome. Make your desired outcome specific for your child. Write down the goal / desired outcome. Post the outcome where it can be easily seen.
Remember: If you don’t think ahead, your family won’t move forward.
- Possible Actions:
Read the possible actions below. Decide which actions would be most effective to use with your child. Focus on the outcome behavior.
*Contact your child’s teacher so that you can work together to help your child record his/her homework assignments. Ask questions such as:
Why is your child not recording his/her homework assignments at school?
What is your child’s teacher doing about the problem?
How is your child’s teacher monitoring your child’s problem ?
What can parents do to support what is being done at school?
Ask your child’s teacher to keep in touch with you to let you know of your child’s progress.
Evaluate the appropriateness of your child writing homework assignments.
*Parents with your child’s teacher should evaluate the appropriateness of writing homework assignments. Things to consider:
1. Sometimes tasks are too easy for children. Could that be true for your child?
2. Is the task too difficult for your child?
3. Check the length of time scheduled to complete the task. Is it appropriate for your child?
Both parents should discuss their child’s problems.
*Parents should talk to each other about their child’s problem.
Topic questions:
What have they each observed about their child?
What do they each think could be the cause of their child’s problem?
How is this problem affecting your child?
*What will both parents commit to doing to help their child through this problem? Suggestions:
Commit to not labeling your child with names such as lazy.
Make sure you are not comparing one child to another such as: comparing your child to a sibling, cousin, friend who can write down your homework assignments and your child is not.
Decided to work with your child’s teacher to help solve the problem.
Commit to doing everything possible to help your child overcome this problem.
Parents should gather information from their child:
*Parents together should gather information. Parents should talk to their child about the importance of writing down homework assignments. Ask your child questions, and listen carefully to their answers without judgement.
Questions such as the following can be helpful: Ask your child how writing down his/her assignments would help him/her.
Do you have everything you need to write down your assignments?
What is the hardest part of writing down your homework assignments?
What is the easiest part of writing down your homework assignments?
Why don’t you write down homework assignments?
What do you think you could do better to make sure your homework assignments written down?
Assess your child’s answers.
Pay very close attention to your child’s answers. There could be an undiagnosed problem: such as a vision problem, a writing problem such as dysgraphia, etc. Your family doctor and people at your child’s school can help you find ways to diagnose these and other problems.
Does your child have a problem writing?
*Some children having this problem simply require more writing practice writing. If that is the case with your child, think of fun things that your child could do that would provide practice. You can start with short sets of writing. Homemade cards or notes for relatives. Notes can be simple but should be very neatly done and legible.
Teach your child how to write a simple ‘To Do” list.
One example, have your child write 3 steps before making a bird house, or bake a cake. Keep the steps simple but sequential.
Another example such as: 3 things to do for our fishing trip.
1. Get out fishing rods and bait
2. Go to the lake.
3. Fish and have fun.
You and your child can check off items as you do them.
Homework Rules:
*Talk to your child about your family homework rules.
What do you expect your child to do? Common rules such as the following may be considered:
1. We expect you to write down all assignments at school. (Keep this rule unless your child has a diagnosed problem with alternate methods for recording assignments.)
2. You should ask questions about homework at school. Your teachers are there to help you.
3. We expect you to ask your parents about anything you don’t understand. You must do your own homework, we will not do your work for you, but we will answer your questions.
4 We expect you to remain on task while you are doing your homework at home.
5. You are expected to finish your homework. We expect you to clean up your study area when you are finished.
School Rules:
*Talk to your child about the school rule that requires students to write down their assignments. Let your child know that you support the rule and expect your child to follow the rule.
*Provide your child with a step by step ‘To Do’ list when writing homework assignments.
*An alternative to writing the assignments may be needed in certain cases. If so, your child could record any oral homework assignments, use a phone to take a photo of written directions, the teacher could make a copy of the homework assignments for your child. Alternatives are usually included in I.E.P. for children who require them.
Talk to your child’s teacher.
*Write a contract with your child specify what you expect, your child to write down all homework assignments. Parents can determine what type of reinforcement will be given when the terms of the contract are met. It can be something as simple as a special fun family movie night on the weekend complete with a treat such as popcorn.
- Follow-up along the way:
Periodically review and reflect on your child’s progress. What is working? What is not working? Adjust your actions accordingly to meet the needs of your child. It’s important to recognize the attainment of a successful goal completed, however you will notice small achievements along the way. Recognize these smaller successes. It will encourage your child to keep trying and let your child know that he/she is on the right path. It will also motivate your child and make him/her more receptive when new goals are introduced.
- Follow Up: What to do after you try your selected actions:
If your actions were successful, keep using them. However, continue to monitor your child. You can use these actions as preventative measures if your child has a set back.
If your child is unsuccessful, seek help from school your family doctor etc. Take your notes with you. Let those helping you know what you have tried and the results of your efforts. This record can go a long way to getting your child the help that he/she deserves.
For additional information about problems and solutions for following rules and expectations, go here