Focus and Finish Homework Tips for the Inattentive

Break it down by Task or Time By task – make a lengthy assignment seem shorter by: Folding a worksheet in half. Instruct your child to do the top half, show it to you, and then finish the second half. Allowing them to choose the problems or questions he/she wants to do first. After doing half of them, go on to the rest. If it’s a textbook assignment, use Post-It arrows to show the starting and stopping points. Give a short break upon completion.

Break it down by Task or Time By length of time: Inattentive students can usually focus for short bursts. Try one of the following techniques: Set the time for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Tell your child, “Work as hard as you can for this time. When the timer goes off, you can daydream or play for 5 minutes.” Set the timer for the length of time for which you absolutely know he/she will be successful. Then, lengthen the span by a minute.

For the “fidgeters”!

Good Break Ideas Probably Not So Good Ideas Walking the dog/playing with a pet Playing video games Shooting a few hoopsWatching TV Getting a snackUsing the computer Hobbies such as playing an instrument, knitting, making jewelry, or cooking Texting/Facebooking Making a quick phone callGoing to a friend’s house