S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - Jan. '20 S.M.A.R.T. AT HOME

What time is it? Homework time! We know some of you dread this time, and you can bet if you’re feeling this way then your child is too. Winter can make it even more challenging because children often have less opportunities to expel energy during the school day. (See One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher) Getting them to sit at the table and focus can be a daunting task. While every family has different ways of tackling homework time, we have some S.M.A.R.T. ideas that can shake it up and help your child focus a little better.

First, think outside the box. Try allowing your child to lie on the floor while doing their homework. This position requires less focus and concentration of the balance system while also helping to provide information about where their body is in space. You may find this eliminates half of the battle.
 
Need to practice spelling words? How about jumping or hopping them out? Write a word on a personal-sized whiteboard and have your child jump up and down while saying each letter (one jump per letter). You could use this same approach with learning math facts. Research shows combining movement while learning increases the speed at which children learn!
 
Finally, consider alternate times of the day to accomplish the work. School days are packed with loads of learning. So, while sitting down right after school may seem to you like the best time to “get it done and over with”, your child’s brain may need to rest first. Some families even wait until the next morning before school to complete assignments.