These guys are great at this, aren't they? They'll be running the world one day! As for now, they've got homework. Good luck with that! Getting them to sit still and do their homework is tough.
Many boys aren't ready for the rigors of academics until about age 7. By that time, in the Western world, they're already in 2nd grade...their 3rd year in school. It's tough for them. In some of the Scandinavian countries, compulsory, formal education starts at age 7. Then, there's England where children start schooling at age 4. I'll discuss this controversy (difference of opinion?) in another post because it merits its own "space".
Many boys aren't ready for the rigors of academics until about age 7. By that time, in the Western world, they're already in 2nd grade...their 3rd year in school. It's tough for them. In some of the Scandinavian countries, compulsory, formal education starts at age 7. Then, there's England where children start schooling at age 4. I'll discuss this controversy (difference of opinion?) in another post because it merits its own "space".
Boys who need to move around a lot may be misdiagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder when their "movement" may actually be a manifestation of their "not quite so ready" neurology and "psychomotor overflow". Wait, what?
Psychomotor=brain-muscle; overflow=more than a vessel can handle
Makes sense now, right?
When the working brain discharges energy through the musculature resulting in movement, that's psychomotor overflow. Everyone, everyone does it. Watch yourself. Do you pace when you're on the phone? Fidget with anything nearby when thinking? Tap your pencil? Chew on it? Twirl your hair? Pull on your mustache? Psychomotor overflow alert! Enough about us adults. I'm all about the kids.
Makes sense now, right?
When the working brain discharges energy through the musculature resulting in movement, that's psychomotor overflow. Everyone, everyone does it. Watch yourself. Do you pace when you're on the phone? Fidget with anything nearby when thinking? Tap your pencil? Chew on it? Twirl your hair? Pull on your mustache? Psychomotor overflow alert! Enough about us adults. I'm all about the kids.
You might want to consider several ideas to make it easier for them to accomplish their homework goals. Keep in mind that they've "kept it together" the entire school day. They think they've escaped only to come home to find that they're back at the desk. Ugh...It's all just too much.
I won't go into details about organizing homework on this post. My focus here is about the environment. I believe in homework "stations" in order to reduce frustration and encourage productivity. Many of the kids who came through my practice need about 4 and you don't have to add on to the house to make this happen.
Homework isn't just about desks anymore. Remember, we're working on helping your kids to get the homework done and not be miserable. So, here are the four stations:
1. The desk-seated
2. The floor-seated
3. The bed-seated
4. Standing up and writing on an alternative surface.
Let's talk about that alternative surface. The first time I saw a "standing desk" was in a business office. The "boss" had this antique, ornately carved English standing desk. If I could have gotten away with it, I swear, I would have bound and gagged him and run out the door with it. Bad for business, however. On to Plan B.
1. The desk-seated
2. The floor-seated
3. The bed-seated
4. Standing up and writing on an alternative surface.
Let's talk about that alternative surface. The first time I saw a "standing desk" was in a business office. The "boss" had this antique, ornately carved English standing desk. If I could have gotten away with it, I swear, I would have bound and gagged him and run out the door with it. Bad for business, however. On to Plan B.
The hubs made me a standing desk somewhat like a smaller version of a draftsman's table. It wasn't as fancy as this one, but it worked just great. I attached clips and other items to allow me to have a free space to work.
I'm a busy girl with a busy brain and I need to move when I think. It also helps to stretch and bend. I renew my thinking when I move around. It worked out just great.
Have you seen this product? It's a Varidesk (starts at $175). While it is promoted to adults, mostly to keep us all from looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame from hunching over our computers all day long, it's got that "variable" position I'm talking about. Your child can stand up or sit down. That way, their posture is improved, they can discharge their tension and just perhaps, be more productive and not resistant to doing their homework!! WHAT would THAT be like?
Maybe you have to rotate your child through the house. The kitchen table, a coffee table, the kitchen counter, etc. Just understand that your kids may have to move around in order to discharge tension as well as encourage their dopamine (biological source of motivation) to flow by changing body positions and venues.
If they work 10-15 minutes on spelling, move to another position and work on math for 10-15 minutes, change position and venues and work on science for another period of time, they won't be as bored or frustrated.
Try it out. What have you got to lose? It's April. Not close enough to the end of school for them to feel a true break coming!
TTFN,
Claudia
Follow me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
If they work 10-15 minutes on spelling, move to another position and work on math for 10-15 minutes, change position and venues and work on science for another period of time, they won't be as bored or frustrated.
Try it out. What have you got to lose? It's April. Not close enough to the end of school for them to feel a true break coming!
TTFN,
Claudia
Follow me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
