What Kind of Routine Does Your Children Have After School?

When we get home from school I usually have my girls 9(4th grade) and 7(2nd grade) do their chores then we have snack then we do our homework. The tv is not on during these times as I have noticed my children are distracted by it. After homework is finished then they can play outside or swim. We try to eat dinner by 5:00 or 5:30 so that we can do something as a family after like ride bikes or take a walk. I guess you could say that the faster the chores and homework gets done the more time that they have to play. That has been a major motivation for them. The girls know that the more time it takes them to get finished the less time that they have to have "fun". Have you ever thought about maybe a warm up time before you son does his homework and use some of the exercises like at Learning RX? That may help him "get ready" to complete his homework and he may concentrate better on it. I also award tv time for the weekend by adding up the amount of time that the girls spend on homework or reading. The also can earn tv time for time spent outside doing some sort of physical activity. They have to play for1 hour to get 15 minutes of tv. I know that sounds harsh but it adds up very quickly. I hope that you find a routine that works for you and your son. Good luck!

I have a 2nd & 5th grader. They eat a snack when they get home then start their homework. There is no commercial TV Monday-Thursday during the school year. I may let them watch a movie over the four days. If I let them do more than eat a snack right after school they have a tough time getting back on track to do their homework. I've done this since my oldest started kinder. I have asked if they wanted to do something different but they like the routine. They say the sooner they get to their homework and get it done, the sooner they get to go outside and play. Good luck finding the routine that works for you...

L.,

I just went to a seminar about this very thing. Here are a few of the pointers the guy gave.

1. Set up a schedule at the first of the year. Children with these special needs do better when they know what to expect, it keeps their world in order.

2. Allow them to unwind first thing after school. He suggests not even asking about homework or their day until they have had time to unwind.

3. Find what kind of homework environment works for your child. Not every child does well in a quiet room or at the kitchen table. He mentioned things like playing music or sitting on a exercise ball. Often children with sensory integration need the extra stimuli to keep their brains going.

4. Don't hover over them. Help if they ask for it, but they do better if you leave them alone (think about how hard it would be at work if your boss were over your shoulder the entire time.)

Hope these ideas help!!

If the Learning RX worked, see if you can do some of it with him yourself. Make it a game (NOT a contest or he may get upset with sister) for the 2 older kids. This will surely help them BOTH out.

Blessings,

P. <><
Another mother of a special needs child.

i have a 4th grader and a 2nd grader...so when they get home they have a snack and watch tv or something for about 30 minutes and then it is homework time....i give them like 20 minutes a page...i set an egg timer and put it where they can see it...and if when it goes off if they are almost done i will give them extra time and if not i sit down and go over it with them . i hope it helps