HOMEWORK STRUGGLES How can you help?

Homework struggles  Late nights and tears  No free time  Lost homework or not turned in  Backpack disaster  Low grades from missing homework

Executive Functioning Skills  Task initiation  Planning  Attention and Focus  Time management  Organization  Good Judgment  Flexible Thinking  Working Memory

Executive Functioning Ability and the Brain  Happens in the pre-frontal cortex  The conductor or secretary for the brain This part of the brain is under-developed and under- stimulated in kids with executive functioning challenges Kids do not plan well in their heads Not fully developed until age 25

Students with Executive Functioning Deficits Need:  Schedules, calendars, contracts, all external  Written BIG and posted!!!  Support and repetition is important.  Everyday is a new!

Making Homework Hour More Successful  Create a special workplace  Together choose a desk and filing system  Create a supply list: get supplies together  Make sure there is good lighting  Light background music is okay and sometimes helpful for focusing.  Organize the space together.

Making Homework Hour More Successful  Create a Daily Routine  Make a schedule for each homework day  Everybody’s different talk to your child about what will work best.  Schedule breaks.  Use timers, alarms and analog clocks to help with the awareness of time passing.  Watch for your child’s burnout point.

Schedule Each Weekday  Each day, ask your children to check their backpack for needed materials  Schedule a start time and an end time  Have your children guess at how long each assignment will take.  Create a rewards chart or contract  Let children choose what the reward are-within reason.  Have consequences too like in real life!

Planner Usage  Use planner for : Nightly assignments and long term projects as well as upcoming tests  Encourage your child to get phone numbers from at least two classmates  Ask about getting planner initialed by teachers  Find out about teachers posting online, ing with updates

Compensatory Strategies  Live Scribe Pen  Dragon Naturally Speaking  Audio books

Before Bed  Put finished homework in the homework folder  Put Folder in bookpack  Backpack by the door.

Helpful Hints  Discuss the new routine ahead of time  Routine, structure and consistency allows their inherent gifts to shine  Point out talents and strengths  Kids need to believe that they can accomplish anything  Empowered children are confident children… Confident children are achievers.

Getting a handle on Homework by Shawn Simon  Webinar on Learning Ally (Free) in past webinars