August 2024

It’s back-to-school season and children will be adjusting to new routines, classrooms, and getting back into doing homework and studying for tests again. It’s common for kids to struggle with the transition from relaxing at home upon their return from school to completing their homework. But, instilling good homework habits in children from the start of the new school year can set them up for homework success for the entire year. We have tips to guide families on supporting their kids with their homework.

If your child is showing resistance to doing their homework, it’s important to identify the cause of this resistance. Perhaps your child feels that their homework is too challenging or they have difficulty with concentration. In this case, it can be helpful to let them know that you are there to help. That doesn’t mean that you will be doing their homework for them, but you can certainly guide them and teach them skills for managing their work load. For example, some organization skills can come in handy such as creating a check list of all the homework items that need to be completed and breaking down the homework into small chunks to help with focusing on one task at a time.

When your child is struggling with how to do their homework, you’ll want to teach them how to figure out the answers on their own rather than provide the answers for them. Guide them on where they can find the lesson in their textbook that will provide them the information they need to complete their homework or help them brainstorm ideas to get them started on an essay they may need to write. Ask them questions that can help them generate ideas or get them into the right thought process. Just knowing that you are there to support them can make their homework feel less daunting and motivate them to get it done.

Some kids have problems with concentration and this is especially the case for children with ADHD or learning challenges. What can help improve focus is designating a homework space within the household that is quiet and free of distractions. Keep electronic devices like the TV, laptops, and smartphones away, with the exception of these devices being needed for their homework. Another tip for helping with concentration is encouraging your child to take breaks when they need to, especially if it’s hard for them to focus for a long period of time. Simple movement and physical activities like a short walk for five minutes can make a significant difference and free any tension your child might have around their homework. An energy-boosting snack can also be helpful, such as an apple or banana.

If your child remains overwhelmed with doing their homework every day after school, remind them that it can take some time to develop their homework habits but it’s something that gets easier once they’ve built the discipline they need. Knowing that it won’t always be so difficult can boost your child’s confidence and motivation. If your child is still struggling with focus because of ADHD or another learning disability, know that we are here to help. Call our office to speak to our pediatrician who can provide your family with the right resources.

It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that is indeed true! Unfortunately, breakfast is skipped by many children, especially when they return to school. As kids will be adjusting to a new routine and perhaps getting up earlier for school than they did during the summer, they might not prioritize having their morning meal. But, breakfast is essential for providing the body with energy after a night of fasting. The benefits also include help in concentration, academic performance, the ability to perform physical activities such as sports, and maintaining a healthy weight. Additionally, breakfast boosts memory and brain function and lowers the risk of metabolic conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Start the new school year with breakfast becoming a part of your child’s daily routine. If your child has a hard time getting up early enough and prefers to snooze in the morning, this is usually because they’re going to bed too late. Adolescents in particular have a challenge of waking up early as their circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock) delays their sleep cycle. Thus, it’s important to encourage your kids to stick to an early bed time each night and avoid using electronic devices within an hour of their bed time. Electronic devices can keep kids awake at night, especially as the light from these devices have a stimulating effect. Have your child do something relaxing or engage in light exercise before going to bed as these can help put them to sleep.

Another tip for encouraging children to eat breakfast is to eat together as a family when possible. Kids are more likely to stick to a breakfast routine when the entire family does it together. It’s also an opportunity to serve as a role model for your children. Some families might be crunched for time in the morning, but there are ways to streamline the process. Prepare breakfast the night before so that you don’t have to be in a rush in the morning. You can also choose simple and quick to prepare breakfasts such as cereal, oatmeal, or grain toast with peanut butter, hummus, or avocado.

On days that your kids do not wake up early for breakfast and are in a rush, give them a breakfast snack that they carry on the go or take with them on the bus. It is still better to eat something in the morning, even if it’s small, than nothing at all. Great snacks to eat on the go are energy bars, fruit and nuts, yogurt, or a whole grain bagel. It is always more ideal to eat breakfast at home together as a family, however, and it is also important to have a well-balanced morning meal that is high in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. This will help sustain them for several hours until they have lunch in school.

If your child has trouble with sleep or if you have any questions or concerns about their diet, contact our office to speak to our pediatrician.

Month: August 2024

Instilling Good Homework Habits in Kids

Why Breakfast is So Important and How to Encourage Your Kids to Eat a Healthy Morning Meal