Homework Time “Time for homework!” These few words have often extracted moans, groans and sighs from generations of children. For today’s children living in Hong Kong, we hear them even more often. Other than the usual school homework, they must also include external tutoring and lessons. A first grader can easily have one or two after school activities each day. That doesn’t even include the classes that occupy weekends. Even parents who choose just the basic extra curricular activities might have English Chinese, Math, Music and a sport, just to name a few. Most of these require some extra time at home for homework and practice. So I have compiled some ideas to help make Homework Time a little less painful for your child and a little more bearable for you. 1. Let your child set his own homework schedule for the day or the week. Allowing your child a little bit of control (scheduling) in a situation in which he has no control of (the massive amount of homework) will boost his self esteem and sense of accomplishment. Of course, make sure that ALL the homework is included in the schedule – not just the fun ones. 2. Misery loves company which true even during homework time. For children with siblings, it isn’t fair for one child to do homework while the other gets to play. Regardless of whether it’s because she has finished her homework or has no homework, encourage the siblings to sit together anyway. Keep each other company by asking the other to read, write a letter or even draw a picture. 3. Mom has homework too. Quite often, when Hannah and Jonah are doing homework, I will turn on my computer and do my own “homework” with them. They feel encouraged that mom empathizes with their plight. In fact, we are all sitting together and working right now as I write this blog! 4. Positive reinforcement is always the best reward. Young children hang on every word his or her parents say and providing positive comments after a tiring night of homework is a great way to end the day. “Great job today”, “I’m very proud of you”, and “You did so well” are only a few ways to make your child feel positive about finishing homework. I hope my few ideas can help kids (and parents) find some enjoyment in doing homework. Or at least make the process a little less painful. Meanwhile, my own children are finished with their own homework for the day and are now quietly reading next to me while I finish mine. Thanks for keeping me company, kids!
简单就是快乐 童真永远是无价宝,它代表一种纯真的想法,一种成长经历的过程,或是一种生活态度的做法。父母创造我们的那一天开始它便出现,是与生俱来的。 当人面对不同困难从逆境中成长,成长经历越来越丰富,再加上人与人之间现实中弱肉强食识者生存的社会,经过时间洗礼后,童真便会慢慢被遗忘,只会暗藏在心底。不会轻易表露於眼前。 重拾这种态度和心情,暂时放松一下心情,跟小朋友相处是一个最有效的方法。当然我的对象是我的女儿吧! 前几天,我跟 Jay Jay 到一个室内儿童游乐埸玩耍,当中包括小火车,小型跳楼机,小型海盗船与及各式各样卡通摇摇车,包罗万有。首先我们选择一起坐在小火车上,当火车声响起的同时,Jay Jay 兴奋 的心情也随之而上,顿时我也变成另一个小孩。一起幻想我们变成乘客身处在真正的火车上。 短短的几分钟,听到 Jay Jay 此起彼落的笑声,她手舞足动的身体语言,与及脸上的笑容, 我感受到 Jay Jay 的喜悦比较她参与唱游堂时跟同学们的笑声来得更真挚! 作为父亲,我感到无限满足感,我觉得目标达到了。原来一个人开心可以有很多方法,而简单的方法原来也是最真接,最有效的。 近年社会出现各种奇怪名字,例如:小学鸡,怪战父母,尖子儿童…等等。为什麼会出现呢!原因很简单,现今的父母希望自己儿女学业成材,出类拔萃,再加上物质社会下,小朋友生活富裕,於是父母往往为他们强加不同课外活动及课程,务求令他们变成宇宙最强,十项全能的小朋友。特别是暑假的日子,小朋友每一天的学习课程更加排得密密麻麻! 培育孩子成长是一种高深的学问,作为初哥父亲的我,我没有资格评论他们是对是错. 作为女儿的爸爸,我完全明白他们的苦心及用意,毕竟时代改变了,而天生天养的小朋友在现今社会上立足更加是一件难事,但是小朋友是不是真的享受这种学习气氛!父母又可以怎样两者取得平衡!这一点值得我们思考一下!