How to Make Homework Fun

Does homework tie down your family for endless hours in the afternoon and evening? Is your child struggling to with homework completion because they simply just don't want to do it? Making homework fun can help them by not only giving them the desire to do the extra work, but complete it in record time (provided it is within their knowledge level).

So you might be wondering how in the world you could possibly make homework a fun time for your child. If all your child knows about homework is sitting still until they've finished with all their work, shaking things up and altering your normal routine could help them. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Tip #1: Turn homework into a game.

Now, you might think there is absolutely no way homework could or should be turned into a game. After all, your child is supposed to be learning something while doing the homework, right? What better way to help them retain the information they are working on, than to turn it into a fun game? Kids often retain information when learned through song or verse. When studying vocabulary or definitions, come up with a catchy tune to learn it with.

Tip #2: Work in a fun snack break.

If your child has a lot of notes to study, or more than a couple of homework pages to complete, a snack break is a fun way to emphasize learning. Make sandwiches together, then cut into small portions and discuss how fractions apply to the sandwich portions. Hold a 10-minute scavenger hunt throughout the house to collect as many items as possible from a reading vocabulary list.

Tip #3: Frequently praise your child's progress.

Homework does not have to only be filled with high anxiety and tears. If you sense your child is becoming frustrated, or is struggling with a particular problem, offer your child a positive reinforcement with a word of praise and encouragement. Remind them of their great progress and how close they are to finishing all of their homework. Sometimes a little nudge is all they need to stay focused and on task.

Tip #4: Don't be too rigid with your schedule.

Sometimes the thing that makes homework time so difficult (for both parents and children) is a rigid schedule. If your child has been expected to do homework as soon as they come home from school, but they seem to struggle through it for more than an hour, maybe you could change your routine to give them an hour or so of play time immediately after school before starting on homework. On the other hand, if your child plays for three hours after school, then ends up going to bed late every night because they can't finish the homework before bedtime, maybe you should flip their schedule and have them complete their homework first before playtime. If your schedule isn't working for you, don't be afraid to switch things up.

Tip #5: Give your child rewards.

When your child does a great job on homework, let them know by giving them rewards. You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive gifts. Buy them a special sticker book and give them a sticker each time they do a good job. When their sticker book is full, they can earn a nice surprise gift, for being so responsible with their homework.