How to make summer homework fun for kids?

Question

Okay, well first of all love kids and i babysit a lot. Its really fun to play with the kids and the pay is usually really good.

I have this babysitting job where i watch these twin boys for a week, they live next door to me. They love me and I usually have a great time with them. But now i have an issue. Their mom put me in charge of helping them with their summer homework.. spelling words, math flashcards, reading, etc. Needless to say they dont like that very much. Does anybody have any ideas for how to make this work more fun for them? Thanks

Answer 1

Have prizes each night they do all their "homework". Get a box full of prizes and let them choose one each time they finish everything you asked them to do. It won't make it fun but they'll have incentive. Also try making it a game to see who  can answer the fastest, or spel the word correctly first

Answer 2

Try to make it maybe a little contest out of them and maybe ask the mom if it would be okay to give a small reward of some type like extra time up or maybe some kind of treat.

Reading try to find stories or a subject they are intrested in. Have them try to guess how the story will end.

Flashcards have items out they can use if they need help counting.  Try to teach them math is important for buying items etc.

Spelling words try to see who can do better and have them practice sounding out the letters.

Use the internet they have lots of fun games to learn or even check if the school has a website sometimes they willl have learning links.

Answer 3

well i'm 9 so I think they could have fun with like competing with each other  sort of like the spelling: You tell them words to write down and whoever gets the most right wins. You can do the same thing to the other stuff but try not to make them too competitive!

well there is alot more i just don't know what!

Answer 4

You could try incorporating what you usually do with them into their summer work. Or you could make it a little competition and give them a gummy bear or something after someone gets the answer right.

Answer 5

Oh, poor guys!

How about if they take turns being the teacher and "quizzing" each other and you?

How about if you do it in the car?

How about if you set it up so they earn "points" for participation,and then you can use the "points" to do something that the three of you really want to do?

Depending on their ages, you can help them to understand the work now will serve them well later, and you can tell them that you know it isn't fun, but that one sign of maturity is being able to work when you don't want to.  Save the fun stuff for after the work.  Be supportive and be a cheerleader for them ("Wow, you guys are gonna be so READY for grade 4!" or whatever)