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GROW U.: Homework help

Posted: October 16, 2010 - 3:19am  |  Updated: October 17, 2010 - 3:49am

It's fall break for students in Effingham County, and almost no one wants to think about homework right now. However, based on recent conversations with parents, it's a topic that surfaces a lot.

Sometimes, our kids need help with their homework and, sometimes, lessons and learning at home pose more of a struggle and challenge for parents. Implementing the following information can hopefully make homework time a little less of a hassle.

First, and most importantly, physical exercise is absolutely essential to optimal brain function. Emerging research in brain science is showing vigorous aerobic exercise is one essential component of neurogenesis, the technical term for describing the brain's ability to grow new brain cells and retain the plasticity necessary for optimal information processing.

Second, a common misconception during homework time is that kids learn best when sitting absolutely still, at the kitchen table of homework horrors, for instance. To the contrary, kids have increased attention and retention when they are moving and having multi-sensory stimulation. Many of our kids' brains are under-stimulated and the fidgeting, doodling and other movements displayed during homework time (and in class) are efforts to keep the brain stimulated.

Get kids moving while they are learning. Examples include playing with blocks while reviewing lessons, learning to skip count (count by two or threes) by doing jumping jacks to count by twos and squats to count by threes. Practice pop quizzes while swinging. Kick a soccer ball back and forth while reviewing spelling words. I tried this myself with my daughter to learn multiplication tables. I would pose the problem, toss the ball to her and she would toss it back and give me the answer.

I was amazed by the increase in recall and retention and the most mind-blowing part: each day for over a week afterward, she and her younger sister (who's not yet multiplying, but enjoyed the process anyway) would literally plead with me to practice multiplication facts or spelling words.

Let your kids go outside, sit in a rocking chair or swing on the front porch. Let them build a "homework fort" under the table or construct their own special homework retreat to make the time less routine and dreaded and much more engaging. Try to come up with ways to turn the task at hand into fun or make it a challenge.

Do everyone in your home a favor and dispense with the homework table of horrors. If you sit next to your child to help and then hover while anxiously reacting to their fidgeting or lack of focus, your anxiety level escalates and you are more likely to put more pressure on your child to hurry and finish and get the work done right.

Imagine if in the corporate world you were expected to remain chained to a desk until all your work was done without being free to get up and move around most anytime you want. Imagine your boss gave you an assignment and then sat very close, lingering and micro-managing until the job was completed. You would likely hate your boss and resist working under those conditions for very long. Seek out a relaxing, productive task for yourself (reading a magazine, paying bills, meal preparation) so you are available and nearby for help but not suspended nervously.

Instead of having snack time followed by homework, consider combining the two. Chewing is a great way to relieve tension, and it also stimulates blood flow to the brain. Provide your kids pretzels, carrots, celery or maybe even sugar-free gum during homework time.

Finally, we all have different learning rhythms and you can encourage your student(s) to identify their own. Some might prefer to grind out all their work at once, while others might like to work in 30-minute increments with stretch breaks or reward time in between.

With a little creativity and some deliberate effort, homework time can go from one of the most dreaded to the most fun and enjoyable times of the day - for kids and parents, too.

Happy learning.

Gina N. Farrell, licensed professional counselor, helps clients "grow" the skills and knowledge to enjoy calm, connected couple and parent-child relationships in her Rincon coaching practice Grow U. Inc. She can be reached at 912-665-1935 or GrowUInc@gmail.com.

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