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"Homework" is a Four-Letter Word for Parents and Students Struggling with Homework

The words we use determine how we feel about something.

If you don't believe it, what's the feeling you get when you hear the word "work"?

Perhaps there are a few folks who get giddy with joy when thinking about "work". But most probably chart their feelings somewhere on the negative end of the emotional continuum at the mention of the word.

Unfortunately, "homeWORK" is the word usually assigned to the schoolwork (there's that word again!) that students do at home. Compared to playing and TV, homework is often a chore that kids don't want to do. And when you look back at your own experience with school, you may secretly agree.

So, what can we do to change the perception of doing assignments at home from a negative connotation to just something that we do to prepare for school? Changing the word we use is perhaps a good first step.

Here's a few suggestions:

--How about substituting "homework" with classic words like: "lessons" or "studies" or "exercises" or "practice" or "preparation" or ... ??

--Or maybe, invite the kids to join in the semantic challenge. Let them get creative and come up with a new word for this important (and frequent) educational process. Make up a new word that makes you giggle--like I'm going to go do my "blooper-belly-fish".

--Perhaps you can reframe it to I'm going to spend some "quality time" with my Math books.

Another side benefit of this word challenge exercise is that you'll get to start a conversation with your kids about how they feel about homework, school, education, their teachers, etc. When you talk with your kids about their schooling experience, you'll discover ways that you can assist them to be more successful, get better grades and feel courageous and challenged.

When you change the way you think about something (by changing the words you use), it automatically changes the way you feel about it. Try it!

Doing something differently also changes the way you feel about a process. For some great ideas about how to make sure your child's "blooper-belly-fish" (aka "Homework") translates to better grades, you're invited to visit www.Parent-TeacherStrategies.net

Article Compilation by www.HomeworkSuccessArticleDirectory.com

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