Add Spontaneous Fun to Homework

"Plan some spontaneous fun"…I know, it's an oxymoron.  But let me explain and I think you will agree it could be helpful.  In fact, you may already do this -without realizing it.

If you are reading this post in March, it’s the time of year when kids can begin to move their focus away from school.  Many schools have a spring break - helpful for some kids but for other kids it can be the beginning-of-the-end of the school year.  Some schools begin their summer break in May, so for them, the end of the school year is very much in sight. 

That’s why I’m posting about “spontaneous fun” -there are times in the school year when a boost of energy needs to be mixed into the routine -March can be one of those months.  

Motivation can begin to run dry at this point.  Especially for students who struggle in a certain subject.  With the end of the school year in sight, doubt can begin to settle in -“Will I ever get the hang of this?” 

That’s why I wrote the blog post entitled "Homework Party."  If you missed it, you can read it HERE.

Routine is valuable to homework success.  Consistency is a major contributor to learning -especially concepts that are difficult for a child.  Instead of tossing out routines you’ve established this school year, infuse them with moments of spontaneity to firm-up your child’s attention to homework.

Here are two types of spontaneity you can prepare…and even plan.  Have some simple ‘tricks’ up your sleeve for moments when your child needs re-energized.  Or, actually decide ahead of time when you will add a moment of “spontaneity” to your child’s homework session.

Having something prepared is 90% of making it happen.  Select an activity and gather the materials.  Predict how your child will interact with the activity?  Plan adjustments to make the activity fit your expectations.  Have it all ready to literally pull out of a bag and go with it.  Otherwise, preparing it at the last minute can hijack your child’s focus. 

When showing the activity to your child, present it as recognition for a positive trait demonstrated while doing homework.  Make it feel like a prize, but without labeling it as a prize or reward.  Just because... recognizing your child’s ongoing effort, positive attitude or some other attribute you want to reinforce.  The reason isn’t really important, but make sure you attach the 'reward' to a reason, and make it a genuine reason.  The act of recognizing and rewarding your child with the spontaneous 'reward' will go a long way to energizing your child for a while. 

Gift Cards:  

• I have a client who purchases a variety of $5 gift cards -Five Below, local ice cream shop, Target, Walmart, Dollar Store, bookstore, Chick-fil-A, and more.  She uses the gift cards during the last marking period of the school year.  Sometimes she awards her child with a full card at once, for doing something amazing -like concentrating on homework even when the neighborhood kids can be heard playing outside.  Other times, she awards a portion of the card, 50 cents or a dollar at a time -again, for observable work habits and mindset attributes.  With a permanent marker, she writes each portion awarded directly on the gift card until it equals the $5 value.  Then the gift card is fully earned.  In both scenarios, her child selects a card of choice -either the next card to work towards or the card being awarded immediately.  All the gift cards are places where her child usually asks to buy something anyway, so now it’s earned by cooperative and responsible homework behavior.  It’s not actually buying more than what she would purchase for her child during a typical visit to any of these businesses.
• A client made a list of things his child asks for and then made a small ‘gift certificate’ for each one -home dinner of choice, skip doing a chore, choice of TV show.  He randomly presents a ‘gift certificate’ to his child when he sees a homework behavior he wants to reinforce. 
• An energetic client made personal dollar bills with his child’s face on the front, replacing George Washington's face.  Beginning in April each school year, he awards his child with a personalized dollar each time she begins homework at the designated time -so one dollar can be earned each night.  The child loves buying books.  So the dollars are accumulated until 10-20 or so have been earned, they are replaced with real money and they go to the bookstore.  Books cost different prices depending on the reading level.  Hardback picture books can be more costly compared to paperback chapter books. 
• Another client printed a 100 grid on a piece of paper.  During the months of December and May (their two most difficult months to complete homework), she marks off numbers on the grid for various positive behaviors involved in completing homework -neat handwriting, trying first before asking for help, gathering needed supplies and returning them, and so forth.  The 100 grid equals the value of one dollar.  Anywhere from 1-10 points are marked off at a time, depending on the behavior, reinforcing positive and responsible actions.  With no homework assigned on Fridays, she intentionally makes it work out to an amount that is slightly less than two-dollars a week.  When one grid is completed, the the next grid is started immediately. 
• If you don’t like giving these types of rewards to your child, pick rewards that are more your liking.  Anything from a second scoop of ice cream during the next ice cream outing to buying a new family game to play together or even a donation to a pet rescue.  Be creative!  Figure out which  rewards you are comfortable giving.

Add a bonus component to homework: 

Play a Game, practicing skills or playing just for fun.

• your child’s favorite board game.  Most board games or card games will work.  Yes, play the game WHILE your child is doing homework.  For example, your child takes a turn after completing another problem on a math assignment.  I know this sounds really crazy but I’ve seen children become highly motivated to complete their work just because they want to take their next turn in the game. 
• Play a short game like Tic-Tac-Toe between parts/pages of a homework assignment.

Physical Exercise can be added to homework sessions in a variety of ways.

• Stationary station: Your child picks a favorite movement/exercise to do for a determined number of reps or number of seconds.  Jump on a trampoline.  Swing on the swing set.  Go down the sliding board.  Hopscotch on the sidewalk.  Jumping jacks or push-ups. 
• Run-around:  Run a lap around the exterior of the house or the perimeter of the yard.
• Obstacle course:  Create a simple obstacle course using different locations around the yard to complete different exercises or movements.  Using items already available in the yard space can make it interesting.  Try a pushup with hands on the seat of a swing.  Jump over something like a hose or jump up onto a single step.  Push a wheelbarrow with a small bucket of sand in it.  Put a small bucket of water in a wagon and pull the wagon from one place to another, trying not to spill water from the bucket. 

Play music during the homework routine.  Music can be incorporated into the homework routine in a number of ways.

• How many math problems can be completed correctly or spelling words written during one song?  Then, the next song and so on.
• Finish one of 3 homework assignments and earn one song to listen to before (or while) starting the next assignment.  Continue in the same way with each completed homework assignment earning another song to listen to. 
• There are many ‘dance’ videos for kids on YouTube.  Find a couple you feel comfortable giving to your child as choices.  Similar to above, with each portion of homework completed, your child earns a dance with a YouTube video.  To make it even more valuable to your child, be willing to join in the fun.

Change the location of the homework session.  Change it for one day each week, or each week change to a different location.

• Move the homework session outside on a nice day, as long as the neighborhood kids aren’t playing nearby.  Sit on a swing.  Lay flat-out on the trampoline. 
• Relocate to a different room of the house.
• Sit in ”Dad’s chair” or “Mom’s chair.”
• Spread out a beach towel or picnic blanket.  Beach towels aren’t made just for the beach, you know!  I have a client who spreads out beach towels in the living room on a rainy day, and rubs a couple drops of suntan lotion on her kids’ arms.  What an easy way to brighten up everyone’s mood.  AS an alternative,  spread a picnic tablecloth over the kitchen table, prepare picnic food for dinner, and make s’mores after homework is done. 

There are many ways to energize the homework routine for your child.  With a little bit of planning ahead, spontaneous fun can add some interest -even excitement, into the homework routine.  

Let's create s'more teachable moments for your child, together!

Ron