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HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD
TO DO HOMEWORK
WITHOUT A FIGHT
BY CAROL TUTTLE
W When it comes to your child’s homework, do you beg, plead or bribe? Do
you threaten consequences? You can make homework easier for both you
and your children with some simple tips that honor their natural energy.

Most children have a dominant “energy type” that determines the way
they move through life. It affects everything they do — playing, talking,
eating, sleeping. And yes, it even shows up in the way they do homework!
Ready to take the struggle out of homework? Here are a few
homework tips for the four most common types of children:
THE FUN-LOVING CHILD
These bright-minded children think
quickly and like to move. Their
thought process works like snapshots
of ideas, so engaging in a linear
experience can be challenging for
them. Homework tips:
Pre-homework playtime. If your
child att ends a traditional school, they
need time to do something light and
free before jumping into homework. Let
26 December 2018
washingtonFAMILY.com them come up with ideas of what they’ll
do. This will give them something to
look forward to during the structured
experience of school.

Homework jumping. Allow
them to jump from one activity to
another. That’s how their brain
works anyway. Extra movement of
things going on in the background
is actually helpful for them because
it allows them to disconnect from
their homework — and then connect
again. THE SENSITIVE CHILD
These subtle children work
methodically and are great with
details. They are naturally quieter, so
speaking up about what they might
need can be a challenge for them.

Homework tips:
Planned routine (one that they
plan). These children do best when
they have a plan that they have made
themselves. Which steps will they
follow to get things done? You can ask
this very young (5 or 6 years old) as
this type of child is already thinking
this way.

Invitation to connect. These
children often want their parents to
recognize the work they’re doing
without knowing how to ask for it.




Take a second to connect with them
while they’re working and invite them
to share with you.

THE DETERMINED CHILD
These active children move swiftly
and like getting things done. Their
natural speed can be a challenge when
it comes to detailed tasks they feel are
tedious or pointless. Homework tips:
Help them see the point
of it. These children will do
homework when they see
the point. If they don’t see
it, they’ll try to get around it
somehow. They’ll pick the grade
they want and do as much as they
have to do to get it done. Help them
see the practical purpose.

Make homework part of the
extracurricular fund. Money is a
great motivator for this type of child.

If you plan to pay for extracurricular
activities, you could attach a money
value to finishing homework. Then,
that money goes to a sport or lesson
they really want. You’ll be spending
the money anyway, and they’ll enjoy
the feeling of accomplishment as
they work toward an activity they
really want.

THE MORE SERIOUS CHILD
These focused children are self-
motivated. But if they’re not
respected for who they are
at school, they’ll buck the
system. It will look like
rebellion, but it’s really just
their attempt to stay true to
their nature. Homework tips:
The respectful phrase. These
children feel offended when you
tell them what to do because they’re
aware of their responsibilities. Try this
phrase: “Looks like you’re doing great.

Let me know if you need help.” Let
them come to you, which they will, if
they think they need help.

Ownership of a space. Set aside
one consistent place (not the kitchen
table) that they can take ownership of
at the same time every day to do their
homework. If possible, get them their
own desk or a place that’s separate
from where everyone is moving
around. Parents, here’s your homework
assignment to end the homework
struggle for good: Set the intention that
you and your child are experiencing
ease and enjoyment as you support
them in their homework. It’s possible,
and you can start today!
Carol Tuttle is the CEO of Live Your
Truth, LLC and author of the best-selling
parenting book, “The Child Whisperer: The
Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy,
Successful, Cooperative Children.” Visit
thechildwhisperer.com for more info.

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