10 Suggestions for Winning the Homework Wars

Children with ADHD often have a hard time connecting future events, like a grade on a report card, to completing a task today. Use games or charts to create immediate rewards at home.

Sitting still is sometimes hard for children with ADHD so they continually get up to find homework supplies and get more distracted. Create a homework supplies box that has everything they may need and is only used at homework time so the supplies aren’t scattered around the house.

This break can be a half hour of activity indoors or outdoors that gives your child a break from sitting still. It is also gives you a chance to look over the homework that needs to be completed.

Set up a system for your child, such as completing math homework first, taking a five minute break and then moving on to the next subject. Also, break down large or long-term projects into smaller parts. This allows them to focus on one thing at a time, rather than being overwhelmed by the whole project or “all” homework.

Some teachers will allow your child to only complete part of the homework, such as the even problems, if key concepts are still covered. Some teachers can say how long work should take, then when that limit is up move on to the next subject. If your child needs help in a specific subject, tutoring is often free at schools.

As children get older, homework takes longer and this may be difficult for a child with ADHD. Set an amount of time, such as half an hour, that your child work through and then have a 5 minute break.

Children often work better if they’ve had something to eat, so use health snacks like fruits, vegetables or cheese to help them focus. Giving them their own water bottle enables them to drink while working eliminates a need to get up.

Catch up on your own paperwork during homework time – pay bills, write letters, send emails. Your child will see you focusing and completing work and will follow suit.

Although you might want your child to do homework at the kitchen table where you can keep an eye on them, there are often many distractions making it hard for them to focus. See if there is an area close by where your child can work quietly with fewer distractions and you can still check on their progress.

Keep up the same schedule every day – children with ADHD do well with structure and knowing what to expect.