My son is a very smart boy, but he hates doing math homework. He started not even bringing it home. He knows all the answers but when it comes to putting it on paper he kind of freaks out like he is scared of doing it. I just want some simple ways to help him realize he can do it. I have tried everything I can think of. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
2007-01-10 12:28:11 · 26 answers · asked by CassieB 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Try to make him see that math problems are puzzles, and can be fun to solve. Maybe try playing other number/logic games with him, like sudoku or solving riddles or board or card games in which you should count/calculate. If he does know how to solve the problems and can give correct answers when you ask him, how about telling him 'Gee, mommy doesn't know if she can remember that, could you write it down?'
I am no expert and I am not a mother, but I wish this was how they posed me those problems when I was a kid struggling with homework. Plus, make him understand that wrong answers aren't the end of the world either; he may just be self-conscious about making errors.
2007-01-10 12:38:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go step by step with him. Have him verbally tell you what he would do then have him write it down. This way he will have the confidence that what he is writing down is correct. If he doesn't verbally get it right then maybe try and explain it to him in words, if that doesn't work then draw a diagram (if you can). Children learn better through pictures, compared to a bunch of numbers and signs.
You can also try and make his math problem into something that involves him or the family. I'm not sure what type math he's doing but an example is this: Lily (we will pretend it's his friend) walked to school and back. A one way trip to school is 2 miles. How many total miles did Lily walk both to and from school? I know, it's a simple example but you get the hint...
2007-01-10 20:33:32 · answer #2 · answered by JC 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rewards for doing his homework would be good. Every time he brings it home and shows it to you he gets a point and when he has however many points he can trade them in and you'll get him something.
Another way is to check over it for him. Have him put down all of his answers and then ask to see it and then help him. He probably doesn't want to get any wrong, because that makes you feel like you're not smart, so tell him you'll check his work to make SURE he won't get any wrong and then he'll be the smartest kid in class!
2007-01-10 20:45:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
he is obviously afraid of the math work for whatever reason. Try giving him math problems that dont seem like they are for example, while at the gas station, have him go with you to pay. If you get 20.00 in gas give him 2-5's and a 10. then ask him, is that enough? ask him how much it is. you can do the same at the grocery store, put a handful of change in your hand and ask him to grab out the correct change like if the total is 140.55 say, can you get me .55 cents my hands are full, in no time he will realize he is doing math. Once you get to the car say, see you just did math in there and reward him with a small treat or reward him simply by telling him you are very proud of him.
2007-01-10 20:39:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe he feels that the work is to easy or knows how to do it. i would check with his teacher to give him more advanced work because he might be bored. hope this can be solved. is he getting good grades in math? with missing homework he's getting 0's. he's going to do that math even if he's getting different work. i also think - he's 7, i don't know your age.i think a 7 year should not be doing this to you. you have to keep on kids these days. take something he has away from him - if he gets mad, he must obey you. what's the reason he freaks out and gets scared. you might want to go to a dean or someone to talk to help him with this problem. it will only get worst. he's young and able to do it. change this bad habit now. when i taught school i would call all of my parents - not just bad things, but good things. in fact, i gave my home number to my parents to check with me also - or if they didn't know how to do their homework. they could call anytime before 9pm. i loved teaching.now i sub.that's a whole different story. i retired after 36 years, in chgo. wish you well! betty boop
2007-01-10 20:53:45 · answer #5 · answered by betty boop 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make math relate to something that he enjoys. I hated math until I realized that I needed it to calculate how much money I had and how to make sure I wasn't overcharged.
Ask him how many toys he has or how many people are on his favorite sports team. There's a myriad of questions you can use to get him interested. He just needs to understand that math is part of everyday life, he already uses it and he will always use it!
Talk to his teacher and see if she has any ideas. Could it be that he is very bright in math but the other children tease him and that is what's really bothering him? Peer pressure can work in positive and negative ways. She is with him everyday and sees what is going on. Utilize her expertise, knowledge and insight.
Good Luck
2007-01-10 20:35:55 · answer #6 · answered by Inquisitive125 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He may have the same problem I had.
I was always good in math, and I always knew the answers before anyone else, but my problem was that when it came to writing it down on paper, I never wanted to because I always figured out my OWN way of solving the problem. Whenever I wrote down how I came up with the answer, I was always told that I didn't use the correct method. I often got correct answers marked as wrong simply because I didn't use 'the correct method' to find an answer.
One thing you can do is talk to his teacher, find out some of the questions/problems he is being given for homework and school work, and write them down somewhere so you'll have them when he gets home. Then you could have him use whatever method he is comfortable with to solve them - in front of you and no one else, and in the privacy of your own home.
This might reveal his problem with writing out his answers
2007-01-10 20:40:08 · answer #7 · answered by Mister 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is the same fear that strikes people whenever they take a test. Sometimes people can know the answers to a test, but taking the actual test makes them really nervous. I would keep reassuring your son that you are proud of him and that he already knows the answers because he has studied so hard. He may be freaking out, being anxious and thinking that he will forget the answer when he commits them to paper. Maybe ask his teacher with what is helpful :)
2007-01-10 20:36:43 · answer #8 · answered by LaPrincesse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried using positive reinforcement? For example, you could try making a deal with him where if he does his math homework EVERY DAY for the entire week, you guys could go do something special together, like go to the zoo, or do something he likes to do.
By offering him a reward that he really wants, it could make him want to do his homework, and then as he's doing the homework he'll realize that he CAN do his math homework easily.
hope this helps! good luck! : )
2007-01-10 20:34:03 · answer #9 · answered by kittyluvr0223 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Something is going on there. Do you have time to visit the school, speak with the teacher to find out what happened?
It was years ago but when arithmetic workbooks came out, the students in the class my son attended would cheer. For some students, the teacher finally had to staple the pages to prevent them from going too far beyond the assignment. Arithmetic was fun.
2007-01-10 20:43:20 · answer #10 · answered by Lynda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋