My four-year-old is in preschool, which he loves. He learns all kinds of stuff, and he loves it. He's making friends, and in general, all is going great.
But for two hours now we've been telling him to do his homework, he's not watching tv til he does his homework, he's not playing a game until he does his homework, he'll get time out if he won't do his homework.... and still....
THE KID WILL NOT DO THE DANG HOMEWORK!!!!!!
And, by the way, the homework we're talking about is that he has to write his name and "AAA AAA", "GGG GGG", "LLL LLL", "DDD DDD" and "LAD LAD" "LOG LOG" and "GAL GAL" three times each.
He can do it. It's not above his level or anything. He just won't stop not doing it. We've taken anything away from around him that could be fun, turned off the tv, and right now he's over there singing a song about underwear.
I can't do this for another 14 years (for him) and 16 years (for my other son).
Any helpful tips??? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-16 13:53:54 · 15 answers · asked by CrazyChick 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Preschool
LOL No, y'all don't seem to understand. This is preschool. A treat comes with every teeny thing he does right. That was not getting the job done. He KNEW his teacher would give him a treat if he turned it in, he just didn't care to do it anyway.
Sometimes, being a mommy makes me want to slam my head into a chest of drawers.
2006-10-16 14:31:20 · update #1
From day one, this kid defies typical behavior.
BTW, my husband, with a unique combination of threats and bribes, got him to do it.
2006-10-16 14:33:37 · update #2
WOW It's amazing the number of you who didn't so much as acknowledge that I was talking about a four-year-old child....
The winners for the least helpful answers: whoever put "mniopnmpjmjpo" or something equally useful, and the person who said that they understood that I don't like homework but I have to do it anyway (I have known how to spell "LOG" for quite some time now, as I'm in my mid-twenties)
And giving him time to "reflect"... it was when I was doing that that he invented the underwear song.
2006-10-17 11:32:27 · update #3
SPEAKING OF SLAMMING YOUR HEAD AGAINST A CHEST OF DRAWERS...TRY BEING A TEACHER!!!!
2006-10-16 15:09:00 · answer #1 · answered by teachin_now 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Explain to him that there is just no point to your being stressed out, and that he has to take responsibility for doing his homework. Sit him down, put the paper in front of him, the pencil in his hand, and say NOW! Do it Now! And don't let him get up until he does. He's testing you, and you don't want 16 years of testing.
Then every day when he comes home, make it clear that nothing else happens (except maybe a quick snack and a trip to the bathroom if necessary) until he does his homework. That's just the way it is. Be firm. Don't get emotional, just be firm. Don't talk about anything else, don't let him distract you, just say over and over again, as often as it takes, that he is to do it before he does anything else.
If he really gives you the stubborn routine, let him go ONCE, and be sure the teacher knows that she's to throw the full force of her authority at him for it.
The secret to the whole thing is not to let it become an emotional issue; a power trip. You are simply adamant, calm but firm. You are not going to change your mind no matter what he does.
2006-10-16 14:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give him a little break when he comes home from school because he has worked all day. Then, I would say "C'mon let's do some of your homework. Sit with him, if he wants you to. Bribe him after he works on it a little bit, give him a treat. Then do a little more, and offer another treat". Or find some way to make it fun. Catch him doing things right, praise, him and he will like it alot more. Oh, and I would't make a little kid sit for hours doing homework. We all need breaks. Beeen there, done that, and I was a preschool teacher, too!! Good luck!
2006-10-16 16:12:46 · answer #3 · answered by mabell1025 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is the trick, you tell him that he can do/ have something he likes if he does the homework (a reward) and then give him the reward after he dose his homework. Only for the first 2 or 3 times. Then give him the reward every other time for a wile. Say something like “if you do your homework to day and tomorrow then you will get a reward” (this is the most important step). Then continue to space out the increments of work and rewards even grater (to one week then one month and so on) until you no longer give him the rewards. This process will take a long time from start to finish (years) however it is key to having your child develop good study habits.
2006-10-16 14:22:26 · answer #4 · answered by hey_space_you 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems to me that the boy needs a choice home work or time on his own to reflect. Given this choice often enough i am sure he will end up with homework. When he does join in plenty of praise and who knows. It is important not to put too many negative associations in his head so early. He should look forward to showing mum how clever he is.
Cy Marven
2006-10-17 03:43:04 · answer #5 · answered by cy marven 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, it's not really important.
Let him fail. He will learn his lesson the hard way, and will start to do his HW on his own.
Of course he doesn't get to watch TV or play the computer or other toys until the HW is done, but you don;t have to be the Warden. Let the teacher do that. She has to set up the consequences for him not doing his HW. He will learn when there are consequences.
2006-10-17 03:29:11 · answer #6 · answered by ee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Homework in preschool!!!!! What is up with our school system today? Schools going to having classes all year, school eliminating recess and now homework in preschool. He will probably have to write his first essay in first grade. Good luck. Its going to be a long bumpy ride.
2006-10-17 03:49:18 · answer #7 · answered by J D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bribe him with chocolate, or any other foods he likes and doesn't always get. Candy is the answer to little kids sometimes! But don't resort to this for all of your troubles... because then he will come to expect rewards for things he should be doing anyway.
2006-10-16 13:56:57 · answer #8 · answered by Liz♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know! Try looking for some ways to make him think that learnign is fun! There are some worksheets, games, puzzles, and... just plain games that can get him interested in non-electronic way of learning. Puzzle worksheets might get his hand going. After 'fun learning', make him do the homework. Just remember: make learning fun!
2006-10-16 14:03:59 · answer #9 · answered by DreamXGirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i honestly think a 4yr old shouldnt have to do set homework!!
Save it for when they are older... say 10 or so
2006-10-16 17:19:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋