Already Dreading Tonight's Homework?

Here's a follow-up to yesterday's post Healthy Homework Habits Start Early...

When you are really frustrated over homework, there is always an easy out..."if you finish your homework, you can have __________."  

Now, don't get me wrong, I am a-okay with a bribe every now and then (I do carry two suckers in a secret pocket of my purse in case the situation should warrant).  However, bribery is not the best solution when it comes to homework, because homework will be there as long as they're in school.

It can be helpful, instead, to set-up a reward system.  You may be wondering what the difference is between a reward and a bribe.  A reward is earned for hard work over a period of time, and a bribe is given immediately for a short term result. Sticker charts are a great way to work towards a reward because they are very visual, the child can get motivated and see their progress.

It is important to consider the age of the child when you are designing their homework chart.  The younger the child, the shorter the length of time before they earn a reward-or they will lose interest.  Then, you can slowly increase the number of stickers they have to earn as they get into a routine.

For example, with my four year old, I would start out with him earning 4 stickers.  It's easy to start with their age, because that makes it more personal.  Also, he only goes to preschool two days a week.  So if it were many more stickers than that, it would take him forever (or what feels like forever to a four year old) to earn his reward. 

Before your child begins the chart, sit down and be clear about the expectations of how they will earn a new sticker.  This will of course depend on the child's age again.  It may be as simple as you earn a sticker every night after you complete your homework.  Or you can make it more complex for an older child, or more specific if there is a subject they really do not enjoy. 

You can get fancy and print out a chart with separate boxes to place each sticker into, or just write their goal at the top of a piece of paper and place it on the fridge.  You also don't have to use stickers.  Your child could fill in their chart with hand drawn stars or smiley faces, or use stamps and stamp pads.

The REWARD!  Once they have earned the set number of stickers for their positive homework behavior, it's time to receive their reward.  I avoid giving candy or food as a reward.  I don't want to start unhealthy associations with food...the food we are surrounded by is already unhealthy enough.  (And in my classroom, when I taught, candy was not used for rewards either.)  I think one of the best rewards is quality time.  Some ideas could include, playing your child's favorite game together, taking them to the library without siblings, a bike ride, swimming at the local pool/beach, or going to their favorite fountain to throw in a penny and make a wish.  Get creative and give them ideas, you know them better than anyone.  However, let your son or daughter choose!

Reward charts can be adjusted as the child grows and changes, but it is always important to keep up your end of the bargain.  Charts can also be used for chores, bedtime/morning routines, or behavior.  My advice is to once again keep it specific (especially for behavior, don't just make it that they get a sticker for "being good", but rather for a day without hitting) and don't make charts for every single thing, or the chart will lose it's importance.  Another goal of using a chart is to focus on the positive rather than get caught up with the negative, so keep it as fun ans relaxed as possible.

Have you used a chart with your child before?

You can see more education and child development related posts by clicking on the tab Back to School Blog Style.