By Guest Author Lisa Baker-King

With the kiddos back in school, it’s a great time to talk about how we can create a positive homework environment for student(s) based on their natural, God-given, strengths.

Motivating Students with ZebecsOur children, just like us, have a way they operate best to maximize learning and productivity. When we structure their learning experience around their strengths, the ability to absorb information and draw critical connections during homework time is not just efficient but much more enjoyable for everyone. I recently did an interview on this subject and the response was very positive. Here are some questions and answers about motivating students for a successful homework experience.

Q: How do we know what our children’s strengths are?
A: It starts by understanding our children’s natural talents and we can do this by simply watching them play. It’s important to note that they have multiple talents or strengths that can be leveraged to create a positive homework experience. But, for the sake of illustrating them, I am going to discuss each one individually.

Think about a little girl making a sand castle. This is an example of an Implementor student. These children learn by interacting with their environment. As you can see, she is very focused on her sand castle. She has to be hands-on. She is the child deconstructing the new toaster you just bought. This child needs learning to be 3D. When structuring homework assignments, get hands-on by having her experience learning. For example, use marshmallows and pretzel sticks to explain geometry.

Q: What are some of the other ways we can identify our children’s natural talents and make homework more enjoyable?
A: If you have a child who is very demonstrative, one with a huge imagination, this is what we call the Quick Start or Idea child. At play, she is the one gesturing and holding court, telling everyone about her great ideas. This child is a visionary and likes to do things her own way. To help her find enjoyment in the homework process, let her put her spin on assignments. For example, let her dress up and act out a book report using puppets to explain a history lesson.

Q: What if you have a child that is more regimented?
A1: This is the child that we call a Follow Through strength or a Process child. This amazing child solves problems by organizing. This child has all his tools organized around him in the sandbox. This is a systematic child who might get stressed when household routines are upset. For this child, make homework time very linear and logical. Let him create a homework agenda on an ink board. Another strategy that works well is homework chairs. Set chairs in a circle. Each chair represents a subject. Math gets done in one chair; spelling words in another…you get the idea.

A2: Our last example is the Fact Finder. You can often observe this child at play ‘thinking’ about the game or the play activity before jumping in. This is the thinking student that asks all the questions. Her strengths are solving problems by gathering information. She doesn’t like to start homework until she has all the information she needs. For this child, turn learning into a fact-finding mission. Instead of giving her the answers, ask what the question to the answer is.

Give your child, and yourself, the freedom to structure homework time in a way that works for their unique strengths…or as I call it, “Break the rules and teach children to love to learn!”

If you have a child that is struggling with homework, send me an email at zebecs.com.


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Lisa Baker-King
Author, Consultant & Business Expert
Connecting Families – Celebrating Children – Changing Companies
 
motivating students with ZebecsLisa Baker-King is a nationally recognized and televised author, consultant and coach who is creating a movement to break the rules and celebrate what is RIGHT about us. She is passionate about helping families; organizations and small business owners find and pursue their passions with purpose. With over 20 years coaching small business owners, families, educators and children; Lisa is a certified coach, specializing in KolbeTM. Kolbe is the science of human actions, reactions and interactions. It’s the instincts that drive individual and group behaviors, personally and professionally.