Listen to your Child's Homework Complaints and Excuses – Part 2

Does your child avoid homework because of writing difficulty? Perhaps the reason is due to difficulty with organizing ideas and thoughts. Does s/he still work hard with remembering how to form manuscript letters and/ how to spell simple words correctly? Is s/he overly concerned or overwhelmed with homework assignments that should only take ten minutes?

What is your child telling you through his/her words and actions during homework time?

“It hurts my hand to write.”
“Will you write it for me?”

Writing Mechanics and Penmanship
Many children develop a habit of holding their pencil with an awkward grip. The way a child holds a pencil, his/her posture and fluency or lack of writing fluency can have an effect on learning and motivation, especially as writing demands increase.

“Can’t do it.”
“Don’t know.”

Written Expression
Some children are minimalists. They communicate what they need in three words or less as often as possible orally and in written form. Some children who have an exceptional oral vocabulary are minimalists when it comes to writing. Carefully listening to a child as s/he engages in a conversation can help adults to discover strengths and weak areas in written language expression.

“How do you spell ________?”
“Did I spell it right?”

Spelling
Children who struggle with spelling need extra understanding.These children may pass their weekly spelling tests but fail to transfer spelling patterns and rules when writing.

“It’s not good enough.”
“It’s not right.”

Perfectionism
Good students may spend and inordinate amount of time erasing, recopying and rewriting work in order to get it perfect. Some children sit and think for a long period of time before beginning a task. S/he may avoid turning in homework because it is not reflective of his/her true ability.

“Is tonight the night that we don’t have to do something?”
“That’s way too much work!”

Overload
Over-scheduled children can feel overwhelmed and overloaded when they have one more thing to do. For some children, regardless of the family schedule, any amount of work might feel overwhelming.

Recent blog posts have included common complaints of children about homework. Come back soon to read about additional homework issues and solutions. Please feel free to share some of your child’s specific complaints that might be similar or different from kid quotes/complaints included in recent blog articles.