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Establishing a Healthy Mindset about ...
HOMEWORK! Homework
gets a bad rap. In some families, homework is
considered drudgery, forced labor, and a punishment.
In
reality, homework is actually an opportunity to reinforce skills learned
earlier in the day. It is an occasion to facilitate cognitive
restructuring and fortify neural connections (see
The Phenomenon of Assimilation).
Downtime
comes first: After school and a snack, allow your child time to
play. Downtime is an important part of neural reorganization. Homework
begins after dinner, when it is time to apply newly learned information in
a setting of quiet protection.
Encouragement comes next: Beginning on the
first day of school, instill in your child the belief that homework is his
job, his responsibility, and an act of great importance.
Explain that just as an adult in the family works to
gain income, the child works to gain knowledge. That is his job.
And by accepting the responsibility for his own education, you plan to
reward him.
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You will treat all of his papers
with great honor.
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You will provide him with the
quiet time, guidance, pencils, paper, notebooks, hole punch, and
organizational skills necessary to complete each assignment. And,
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You
will respect him as he strives to learn.
Praise -
the final word: End every homework session with good words of
praise. Show your child that you are pleased with his efforts.
Reinforce a healthy mindset about homework by
honoring your child.
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