Many mothers face a common challenge: when school-age children return home, they often refuse to do their homework. Homework is a crucial complementary step in learning, yet children frequently want to disconnect from school as soon as they walk through the door. They prefer to spend the entire after-school period playing, and if mothers try to force them to study, children may dodge the task or even pretend to be sick.
This widespread issue requires understanding its roots and addressing it effectively. In an exclusive discussion with Sayidaty & Your Child, elementary school teacher Wasim Youssef identified four main reasons why children resist homework, including learning difficulties, exposure to bullying, and others.
Why Children Refuse Homework
1. School Aversion
Children in early school years often experience separation anxiety, feeling that school threatens their security by separating them from their mothers. This fear can turn into dislike for school, which may extend to avoiding homework at home.
Other factors contributing to school aversion include:
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Social challenges at school or home, such as bullying or exclusion from peers
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Lack of support from teachers, which affects children’s sense of safety and belonging
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Learning difficulties, leading to low self-confidence and fear of failure
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Strict or punitive school environments, such as public reprimands, shouting, or overly rigid routines that limit play and enjoyment
These factors can make homework a stressful task rather than a constructive activity.
Steps to Help Your Child Accept Homework
Step 1: Prepare Your Child Mentally and Physically
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Sit with your child to do homework and organize a tidy, comfortable workspace.
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Ensure your child is neither hungry nor overly full. After-school routines may include lunch, a short nap, and a small refreshing drink, avoiding sweets that may cause lethargy.
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Review lessons learned at school that day before starting homework. This helps the child understand the material and reduces difficulties with assignments.
Step 2: Allow Breaks Between Subjects
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Provide opportunities for rest or quiet play between subjects to prevent mental fatigue and maintain concentration.
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Avoid pressuring the child to start homework immediately upon arriving home, as this can cause stress and resistance.
Step 3: Encourage and Motivate
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Maintain communication between home and school to track progress and support academic achievement.
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Reward small achievements with praise or small incentives, but avoid excessive, indiscriminate praise.
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Use varied encouragement methods for different parts of the homework to keep motivation fresh.
Step 4: Avoid Comparisons
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Do not compare your child with peers, siblings, or classmates, as it can lead to frustration, discouragement, or arrogance.
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Instead, focus on nurturing creativity and independent problem-solving. Discuss the reasoning behind exercises and solutions rather than treating homework as mere copying tasks.
Key Takeaways
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Resistance to homework often stems from anxiety, learning difficulties, or school environment issues.
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Preparing your child mentally and physically, scheduling breaks, offering encouragement, and avoiding comparisons can make homework a positive and productive experience.
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By adopting these steps, mothers can help children build confidence, maintain curiosity, and develop a healthy approach to learning.
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