Homework

[MrsK]

This is not another rant about too much homework. Let's let that debate rest.

I need tips on keeping my younger kids occupied while my oldest does his homework. We have a large great room. K1 (kindergartner) is doing homework at the kitchen table which takes him forever and requires my almost constant supervision. The only TV in the house is in the great room and there is no TV allowed until homework is done. Neither K2 (preschooler) nor Lambie (toddler) are able to play quietly on their own; K2 (the middle child) wants to play with K1 from whom he's been apart all day and who always leads their games. Lambie and K2 annoy each other and get into fights if I don't mediate.

K2 asks to sit at the table and do K1's homework too (which I allow); he has better fine motor skills than K1 and enjoys drawing so he finishes the homework in minutes. For instance, the assignment is typically something like drawing a picture of your best friend and K2 will draw 4 pictures in multi-color with rainbows and apple trees and a million other details in the time it takes K1 to get organized and start drawing. Then K1 is looking daggers at K2 and feeling inept; K2 is nagging me, begging to play outside or watch TV or is otherwise disruptive while K1 is trying to finish his work. I can't even go read to him because K1 needs me. Meanwhile, Lambie is climbing on the kitchen table, ripping paper, playing with scissors, trying to eat crayons, etc. I remove her from the table 16,000 times and then finally put her in the play pen. Then she screams bloody murder until she's released and she climbs right back on the table the minute I let her out. Of course, this is all happening when dinner needs to be prepared too.

We don't have the option of postponing homework because we do baths and bedtime after dinner.

Aside from just giving up on homework, how do I get this done in a reasonably peaceful way?

[admin]

I wouldn't let K2 sit at the table and do the homework with K1 since he is more skilled than K1 and K1 is having trouble initiating and getting things done.

I'd suggest moving K1 to a different homework zone if possible. If not, maybe you can invest in Leap Pads or something that K2 and Lambie can play with only during homework time. I have used a game box in the past that was filled with special toys in it that my kids were only allowed to use during certain times (like homework time). This kept the toys novel.

Of course, you could also get a small TV for another room.

I really would separate K1 and K2 for homework.

It's hard!!

Kris


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[MrsK]

Eventually, K2 will have homework too. He started school this week. His homework will be far less than K1's of course, but they will have to get it done at the same time and they will both need my supervision. Eventually, like when they are in grade school, I'll want everyone doing homework at the kitchen table (our table seats 8-10 so there's lots of space) so I can supervise/assist everyone (especially once computers/internet are involved) while making dinner. Obviously, we're not there yet but we need to be within the next couple years.

[admin]

That is not a bad long-term goal. But K1 just started Kindergarten and is struggling with some basic skills getting going. I'd leave k2 out of it for now. Once K1 is doing better with homework then ease him in.


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[Meenah]

I would also leave K2 out of it. I agree with Kris, maybe let the younger two watch a movie and let K2 do his homework in different room, a special homework spot.

[MrsK]

Our first floor is one room and I can't supervise all three kids if they are on different floors. If K2 is watching tv/playing with a leap pad, K1 will want to do that too. (However, I am looking into a leap pad). I've been hoping to get K2 to just color or do an unrelated project at the table. He refuses to separate from K1 once they are reunited after school. Also, what to do with Lambie?

[rufflesanddots]

Would it be possible to give them 30 minutes or an hour of play time together before settling in for homework? Then, would it be possible to put K2 on a couch with the Leap Pad (out of view of K1)? If I were K1, seeing my younger sibling finishing my homework before me would be distracting and also just make me feel bad and resentful, thereby making me take even longer to do homework. If you do go the Leap Pad route for K2 and Lambie, maybe she can be in a play pen with the Leap Pad near K2 (again, both out of sight of K1).

I got stressed out just reading your posts. Sounds super stressful for you and K1.

[MrsK]

They wouldn't be out of sight. It's literally one big room with the kitchen table separating the kitchen from the living room.

[MrsK]

And they do get about a half hour or more of play before homework. We walk home, have snacks, and visit a little before homework.

[Deebs]

Can you make up totally different work for K2 to do? A book of mazes or summer bridge work books for him to work through? Will he do bead lacing or something similar that's quiet but time consuming? We've had the problem where my second child can do DD's work, which is soooo frustrating, being two grades ahead of him. Now that DS has homework, it's a little easier, but I still have extra work on hand for him in case he comes home with nothing and DD needs my help. My only thoughts on Lambie are sticking her in her crib with toys.


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[MrsK]

Can you make up totally different work for K2 to do? A book of mazes or summer bridge work books for him to work through? Will he do bead lacing or something similar that's quiet but time consuming? We've had the problem where my second child can do DD's work, which is soooo frustrating, being two grades ahead of him. Now that DS has homework, it's a little easier, but I still have extra work on hand for him in case he comes home with nothing and DD needs my help. My only thoughts on Lambie are sticking her in her crib with toys.


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I'm kinda hoping that K2 will have his own homework soon and he'll lose interest in K1's once his gets harder. K1 hates drawing pictures but he's happy to do math or reading so it might not be as much of a struggle. Last year in preschool /prek, both boys would do all the homework and they thought it was fun. Over the summer, they did the same bridge work with me helping K2 a little more. They are accustomed to doing everything together and this is the first time they're separated. Also, it's now 2 years between grade levels instead of 1 because K2 is doing a second year of preschool.

The real challenges are (1) keeping K2 and Lambie out of mischief and away from K1 during homework, and (2) keeping K1 on task. The kid is doing 3rd grade addition, subtraction, and division in his head but goes to pieces if he has to draw the number 3.

[spotty_dog]

Heh. I have a photo in my Facebook from my son's kindergarten year. Baby girl, 3.5, is sitting at the dining table across from DS, just-turned-6. Papers and a bucket of crayons are strewn between them, both of them have pencils and frowns of concentration. I wrote, "She is working on writing her name (and later, annoying brother by finding a picture of a Raccoon for his R words). He is wearing his Bumblebee shirt and making his coloring boo-tiful so teacher will like it."

It does get better.

[Pollyanna]

You'll figure out what works best for your family. Like Alison said, "it does get better". One note about homework all together at the table so you can help. I'm not sure that method turns out to be the most helpful once they start getting older. The family table method seems ideal but I think more often than not gets kids used to getting help with their homework and become dependent on that help. Now before everyone jumps all over me, if you want to help with homework that is cool. I'm a little more on the side of, "I've done 3rd grade before" so I'm not a huge homework helper and I think that has been a huge benefit to our kiddos. They learned to take on that responsibility from a young age and sometimes they failed. Sometimes they had to redo assignments because they were so bad, but in the end it's okay. Of course every kiddo is different and there are times when you'll have to jump in there but I just wanted to provide a different perspective on the family homework table. Also realize that not every kid works well in that environment. Some kids like a desk, others like their bed, some work well in a dark room on the floor. There are lots of ways to attack homework, I'm confident you'll find one that works best for your kiddos.

Happy schooling!!!

[MrsK]

So far, helping mostly means reminding them to stay on task. Eventually, I want to build in a study desk in our greatroom. There is a good nook for it but right now, it's toy storage. I really don't want homework in their rooms.

[Phoebe]

Does Lambie sit in a high hair? Watching a movie on a laptop? Do you have a kid-sized table and chairs the younger two can sit at in the kitchen? Try setting a timer for K2 to behave and keep Lambie occupied followed by a reward? I bought a bunch of activity stuff in the $1 section at Target for DD3 to work on while the others do their school work. It has been a constant battle for years. I feel your pain.


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