WNY Family Magazine September 2018 | Page 12

W Christ-Centered Education PreK 3 & 4, K – 8th Grade Ranked #7 of WNY Middle Schools by Business First and #1 in West Seneca Safe & Loving Environment NLSA Accredited Daily Devotions/Faith-Based Curriculum Before & After School Child Care Technology, Art, Music, Phys. Ed. Community Mission Projects www.ThinkTrinityChristian.com 146 Reserve Rd • West Seneca, NY 716-674-5353 ST. ANDREW’S Country Day School Where faith, academics & service ignite our future & build tomorrow’s leaders. ENROLL NOW! • PK 3 & 4 Yr. Old PT/FT Programs • Grades K-8 • 8th Grade Math & Science Regents Program • School Wide Service Program • Personal & Effective Class Sizes • Before School Drop Off at 7am • After-School Program • STREAM School (STEM with integrated Religion & Art) • PK-8 Sports & Clubs • All Are Welcome 1545 Sheridan Dr., Kenmore, corner of Sheridan and Elmwood Call for a personal tour (716) 877-0422 www.standrewscds.net 12 WNY Family September 2018 hen it comes to your child’s homework, do you beg, plead, or bribe? Do you threaten conse- quences? You can make homework easier for both you and your chil- dren with some simple tips that honor their natu- ral energy. things done. Their natu- ral speed can be a chal- lenge when it comes to detailed tasks they feel are tedious or pointless. How to Get Your Child to Do Homework Without a Fight • Help them see the point of it. These chil- dren will do homework when they see the point. If they don’t see it, they’ll try to get around it some- how. They’ll pick the grade they want and do as much as they have to do to get it done. Help them see the practical purpose. Every child has a dominant Energy Type that determines the way they move through life. It affects everything they • Make homework do — playing, talking, part of the extracur- — by Carol Tuttle eating, sleeping. And ricular fund. Money is a yes, it even shows up in the way they do great motivator for this child. If you plan to homework! Ready to take the struggle out of p ay for extracurricular activities, you could homework? Here are homework tips for the attach a money value to finishing homework four types of children: and that money goes to a sport or lesson they The Fun-loving Child. These bright-minded children think quickly and like to move. Their thought process works like snapshots of ideas, so engaging in a lin- ear experience can be challenging for them. • Pre-homework playtime. If your child attends a traditional school, they need time to do something light and free before jumping into homework. Let them come up with ideas of what they’ll do — that will give them something to look forward to during the structured experience of school. • Homework jumping. Allow them to jump from one activity to another. That’s how their brain works anyway. Extra move- ment of things going on in the background is actually helpful for them because it allows them to disconnect from their homework and then connect again. The Sensitive Child. These subtle children work methodically and are great with details. They are naturally quieter, so speaking up about what they might need can be a challenge for them. • Planned routine. These children do best when they have a plan that they have made themselves. Which steps will they fol- low to get things done? You can ask this at a very young age (5 or 6 years old). • Invitation to connect. These children often want their parents to recognize the work they’re doing without knowing how to ask for it. Take a second to connect with them while they’re working and invite them to share with you. The Determined Child. These ac- tive children move swiftly and like getting really want. You’ll be spending the money anyway and they’ll enjoy the feeling of ac- complishment as they work toward an activ- ity they really want. The More Serious Child. These focused children are self-motivated. But if they’re not respected for who they are at school, they’ll buck the system. It will look like rebellion, but it’s really just their attempt to stay true to their nature. • The respectful phrase. These chil- dren feel offended when you tell them what to do because they’re aware of their respon- sibilities. Try this phrase: “Looks like you’re doing great. Let me know if you need help.” Let them come to you, which they will, if they think they need help. • Ownership of a space. Set aside one consistent place that they can take ownership of at the same time every day to do their home- work — not the kitchen table. If possible, get them their own desk or a place that’s separate from where everyone is moving around. Parents: here’s your homework as- signment to end the homework struggle for good: Set the intention that you and your child are experiencing ease and enjoyment as you support them in their homework. It’s possible and you can start today. Carol Tuttle is the CEO of Live Your Truth, LLC and author of the best-selling parenting book, “The Child Whisperer: the Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, Cooperative Children.” She also hosts a weekly parenting podcast. To learn more, visit www.thechildwhisperer.com.