How can i stay calm while helping my son with his homework?

Question

my five year old just started pre-k and I am always reading him stories because it is good for him but now it is also a part of his homework, the problem is that he doesn't pay attention while I'm reading him and when I have him writing so that he can practice writing his name he skips the pages I tell him to work on. I get really aggravated so I grab a paddle and set it right next to him so that he won't fool around while he's supposed to be doing his work, I want to raise a good man and I'm not the strict type of mother but I truly value education and I will do anything to make sure my son gets it, please give me your suggestions about what you would do if you were in my shoes.

Answer 1

Does he enjoy video games or TV? Tell him that after he is done his work he has 30 minutes of game time. He only has 10 minutes to finish page one and two. If he goes over that 10 minutes, you take away a certain amount of game time, say every minute over 10 he loses 5 minutes of game time. Set a timer to help him, and of course set timeframes he can abide by. I would also say this is the only time he gets to spend on the game or TV. If he has other free time on these items this will not work.

Answer 2

* 1. Establish a daily routine.

    * 2. Structure after-school activities to allow for homework at a set time every day.

    * 3. Stick to the routine so your child will know what is expected.

    * 4. Stay organized and keep homework area free from clutter, noise and distractions, such as television, games and radio.

    * 5. Praise your child when the homework is complete and allow free time after homework time is over.

http://www.scholastic.com/schoolage/kind...

I hope the above helps..

Answer 3

maby you can get a piece of paper write his name on it. if he finishes all of his homework that day and behaves himself add on a sticker once he gets enough stickers give him a prize like a favorite toy hes been wanting or something like that.

Answer 4

Omg, you threaten him with a  paddle? Your child should be taken away!

Answer 5

Ahhh....please go burn your paddle. How is that going to encourage him to learn. At his age learning needs to be fun and not punishment. Also keep in mind, boys at that young age really lag behind the girls and a lot have not yet developed all of their fine motorskills (like you need for writing). The way I understand your message is, that his homework consists of being read to? That really should be all there is for Pre-K. If he doesn't show any interest in writing, please don't push him. You will just frustrate him and he'll end up disliking school. Make crayons, markers, paper etc availabe to him, but let him do at his own pace. My son didn't know how to write his name when he started Kindergarten at almost 6 (late birthday), and guess what, he graduated from High School just fine this year and is off to college. My daughter couldn't recite her ABC to save her life and she'll graduate HS next year! After 1st grade, most every child has caught up!

When do you read to him? Maybe he's not ready to sit still again after a long day at school? Try different times, take him to the library and let him pick out his own book. And again, don't force him! Some children will simply not like to read or be read to, not much you can do. That does not mean that they will do poorly in school either. :-)

Bottom line, for Pre-K children, fun with learning is more important then retaining the information. There's plenty of time for that later!!!!!! They'll be in school long enough.

Answer 6

Yes Patience is the first thing... remember afterall this is only a child we're talking about...

Encouragement really helps, even if you do some writing with him, or find ways to make it fun for him rather than a chore...

Beyond that it gets into medical conditions like Attention Deficit or even Aspergers Syndrome... which becomes more complex, whatever the case all children should have a lot of love and support.

Also be aware pushing too hard can lead to stress and especially at such a young age you don't want a stressed out child... you want someone you can love and be proud of, and someone who can love you and be proud of you too...

I don't think resorting to threats is a good idea, but if you need to, make sure you follow through on what you say...

Note: another idea is bargaining, that may help, ie give him something he wants (an icecream?... a movie, being a parent your the best person in a position to tell what he likes) in exchange for something you want (ie the homework)... again its most important that you follow through on what you say...  if he doesn't do his homework, don't punish him, simply don't reward him...

Also in case I hadn't stressed enough earlier *forcing* things isn't going to help, its just going to stress you and him out further and neither of you need that, it may be better for your relationship if you accept something isn't going to happen (assuming none of the above suggestions/issues didn't help any) than it would be to push ahead with it... that's not to say don't try, persistance isn't always a bad thing... but there comes a time where it can be the wrong thing...

Hope this helps, its not like I'm a parent so maybe I don't know enough about what your situation is, I just think what I said makes sense for most people and its how I would go about handling the situation....

Answer 7

He is young. Are you giving him enough breaks? Maybe he needs a time out?  I don't think you should force him unless you feel it is really called for. It may just cause resentment later.

Answer 8

you should help him

Answer 9

Since you are not allowed to sell children anymore, haha, can't lock them in a cage, should not give them a plastic bag to play with, be patient with him.