My Daughter Is Too Tired To Do Homework
Ask the Experts: How can I help my first-grader get her homework done?
Question: I have a 6-year-old daughter who is in first grade. Her babysitter picks her up from school at 2 p.m., and I pick her up from the babysitter around 6 p.m. When we get home we have dinner first. By the time we do her homework, she is too tired or lazy to finish it. She tells me that she's sleepy and wants to take a nap. She doesn't take a nap at her babysitter's because she is so excited to play with the other kids. What can I do?
Answer: It sounds like your daughter's schedule needs to change in some way. Either she needs to nap at the babysitter's or get a start on homework there. It seems logical that she is tired after that long day and just starting homework at 7 p.m. Perhaps she can do part of the homework with the babysitter and take a short rest? Sometimes, even if a child does not sleep, she may have more energy after she has some down- time.
Another alternative would be for her to do a little of the homework as soon as you walk in the door as you are putting dinner on the table. If the homework is divided into smaller parts, perhaps it will go easier. She can do a little at the babysitter's, a little while dinner is being prepared and then have just a bit left to finish after dinner.
You will need to talk with the babysitter and make sure your expectations are clear and then talk with your daughter so she is aware of the plan. Sometimes the logistical schedule of where to fit the homework in is the hardest part. Once you find a routine that works for you and her, it will all fall into place.
Allison Gardenswartz is the founder of a San Diego tutoring center specializing in gifted and remedial learning and test preparation studies. An educator for over 15 years, Allison is an expert in identifying and enhancing the learning abilities of school-age children. Allison now fully devotes her time to parent education, consulting and college counseling. Allison has a teaching credential and has taught for several years in various public school systems. She has three children: Jacob, 11, Sofia, 7, and newly adopted Ryan, who is 3.
Got a Question?
If your first-grader has an academic or school-related behavior problem you would like help solving, send it to myfirstgrader@greatschools.net
Advice from our experts is not a substitute for medical or other professional advice and services from a qualified health-care provider familiar with your unique situation. We recommend consulting a qualified professional if you have concerns about your child's medical or emotional condition.
February 2008
More on GreatSchools.net
