Winter break is almost over across the country. Many of us are looking forward to the return to routine and structure. However, if you are raising an easily distracted child, you might dread the return of homework and after-school study time. These strategies can help refresh your and your child’s sense of intention and confidence in their skills as school resumes in the coming week.

Why is Homework Such a Struggle?

Parents and caregivers supporting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other neurodiversity know that there are many steps involved in getting assignments home and finished. These steps require your child to use several skills that are likely challenging for them.

These skills all hinge on your student’s executive functioning skills – such as planning, organizing, and implementing. A brain that is wired differently, such as one with prenatal exposure, ADHD, or trauma impacts, might struggle to do any – or all! – of the following in the homework and study process:

  • Writing down assignments
  • Bringing home the right books
  • Remembering the lesson presented in class
  • Applying “school focus” to the kitchen table
  • Returning the homework to school on time

You can support your child’s success at school and home with several strategies. The key is to start their first day back at school with these strategies and consistently implement them together. Think about what worked well during the fall term and reintroduce those tools. Consider what might not have worked well and try something new. These habits might take some “trial and error” over the next few weeks, so be patient and help them start the new year off with a good foundation. When their homework habits and study strategies catch hold and their confidence grows, you’ll be grateful that you hung in there with them.

Homework Strategies to Help an Easily Distracted Child

1. Establish a consistent workspace.

Whether you set up a desk in their room or use the kitchen table, encourage your child to use the same space daily. Ensure their space has all the necessary tools, including pencils, erasers, power cords, a comfortable chair, and plenty of light.

Some kids need headphones to block out household noise. Other children benefit from fidget toys to help their hands stay busy while their brains focus. Still, others will want to decorate the space and personalize it. Your child will settle into this space if you give them a voice in what they need and like.

2. Establish consistent homework and study times.

Along with a specific place to do homework, it helps to have a particular time to do daily homework. Re-establish your child’s afternoon routine, including a refueling snack and drink, physical activity, and focused homework time. After several weeks of holiday festivities, getting back into this routine may be challenging, but be firm and transparent with your children about the expectations.

Some kids benefit from an activity break when they get off the bus. Others need a snack and drink first. Work out what works with your child, and give them a voice in planning the routine.

If you still need to write it out, post a visual of the daily schedule for your child before school resumes. Place it where they will see it, even in several spaces, to trigger their memory for the routine.

3. Keep communication open between home and school.

Suppose your family’s holiday break was challenging or your child experienced significant struggles. In that case, consider giving the teachers a heads-up. You don’t need to share all the nitty gritty, but an email can reinforce your trauma-informed parenting perspective and re-invite them to partner with you for your child’s success.

You could also remind the teachers of your child’s struggles with changes in routine or the need for additional support in transitions. If parts of the homework and study process were challenging for you and your student during the fall term, take the opportunity to brainstorm new support for the chance at success.

4. Are they procrastinating or feeling anxious?

The transition back to school can be stressful for your child. They may need extra rest or support like they needed at the start of the school year. You might observe them putting off their homework or studying for a quiz. Try to suss out what is anxiety and what is typical kid behavior. Talk with them about your observations and brainstorm ideas to help them complete the work. You can remind them that playing with their new toys or reading new books is an excellent reward for completing an assignment.

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If your child is struggling with significant anxiety about their schoolwork beyond typical age or stage procrastination, dig deeper for the “why:”

  • Do they need help to understand the lesson better?
  • Are they overwhelmed by the return to school?
  • Does the workload feel too heavy for them to break down and tackle?

Step into the moment with them and be a safe presence for them to process why they are putting off homework. Label the emotions. Offer to talk through each assignment with them. Start with the shortest or easiest task and build from there. Be sure to encourage and point out their successes that day or similar achievements from the fall.

5. Offer breaks.

Children who are easily distracted, whether from ADHD, prenatal substance exposure, or other learning differences, work much harder to focus. They often struggle to concentrate, accomplish homework, or stay focused to study for a big exam. Remember, as break ends, your child must move from playing, sledding, biking, and hanging out for over a week to sitting at a desk for over 6 hours. This transition is challenging!

Think about what types of breaks suit your child best. Build adequate time into their homework routine for a healthy activity break. Here are a few ideas for refreshing their mind and body:

  • Yoga or stretching
  • Dancing to a favorite song
  • Jumping jacks or push-ups
  • Singing along to a video
  • Reading a graphic novel or comic book

A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes away for every 20-25 minutes of focus, but every child is unique. Returning to a routine after several weeks of unstructured winter break might mean a slow build to increase the focused work time. Learn what works for your child and consistently enforce it as you implement the routine. Consider joining them in the break to build your connection with them.

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6. Recognize the signs of “enough.”

Every kid has a different way of expressing that “enough is enough.” And what they do when they’ve had “enough” homework time might look different in the early days of back to school. They may need more time to settle. Their body might tense up, and their face might turn red. They could become very emotional (angry, sad, frustrated) within minutes of sitting down to do their homework. Whatever their signs are, try to step in early. Help them re-regulate before a complete meltdown occurs with activity breaks, snacks, deep breathing, or rubbing their back.

However, remember that no homework is worth damaging your relationship with this child. Be willing to agree that it’s enough for today. Write a short note at the top of the page or email the teacher. Kindly explain that the return to school has maxed them out, and this is as far as you got today.

Communicate to this child that it’s okay to try again tomorrow. Then, hug that kid and take a nice walk in the fresh air and sunshine to reset together.

7. Prepare now for tomorrow.

Before school restarts, invite your child to prepare their workspace with freshly sharpened pencils, erasers, and maybe even a beloved new toy waiting for them. Talk about what is good and what is challenging about returning to school. Brainstorm a list of possible solutions for tackling the challenges – your child will feel a sense of ownership over solving their challenges when they have a voice in the options. Don’t forget to have them charge their laptops the night before school!

Once they’ve started school, help them complete their assignment and clean their workspace. Encourage them to pack their backpack now with all they need for tomorrow. Put the laptops on the charging station for the morning. Have them set it by the door to be prepared for tomorrow.

Call Out the Positive!

No matter how challenging Winter Break was for your family or how hard it is to return to a structured routine, talk about the good things you experienced together during this holiday season. Take turns talking about the good memories you made together. If it’s a struggle to call out the positive, consider how to talk about what you learned in the challenges. Model connection and compassion by finding something positive to call out about your child.

And when you sit down together at the end of the first days back to school next week, try to end each homework or study time by praising their perseverance or hard work. Tell your child that you loved the creativity in their writing. Encourage them to find one thing they like about their effort, too. Make a habit of calling out the positives of each part of their homework routine, focusing on their character and not the grades or final results. You are teaching them to be consistent, work hard, and find what makes them shine – all skills and character traits needed to thrive as a child and grow into incredible adults.

We’d love to know how you prepare to return to school after a long holiday break.

Image Credits: Julia M Cameron, Picture 1 and Picture 2; RDNE Stock project

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