Although quite advanced in years, he still enjoyed the routine of working his small croft. But didn't he feel the pace these days? Yes, he said, it's a day's work getting started.



No matter how he felt, he had to make the effort to get up and get on!

This doesn't apply only to farming.

The same principle applies to our kids when they have to get down to serious home study or 'homework': "It's a day's work getting started!"

So how can we help our kids when their teachers aren't there to 'motivate' them?

There are a number of simple things we can do, but don't underestimate their effectiveness. Let's look at some.

Top of the list comes an appropriate location for home study.

Many kids are happy to do their homework in the living area of the home, but that brings its own problems: visitors coming and going, the TV and music are just a few...

Why not go out of your way to organize the home so that the kids have a designated study area, even if it's one they have to share? You may have to give up something like your 'parlor' or 'best room', but if the kids make good use of it, it will be worth it. An online computer would help.

A huge drawback to study is having to set-up an area and unpack books and materials. You'll make it much easier if your kids can leave everything set up for next time.

You can overcome resistance much easier when all you have to do is sit down and get going!

Another serious, but seemingly trivial, impediment is a lack of ready materials. How motivated do we think our kids will be when they're always asking: 'Anyone got a spare pencil?' or bemoaning the fact that, 'My worksheets are all mixed up!'

It makes life so much easier when all the tools and materials for effective study are in front of you. You feel well-organized and this helps motivation:

Notebooks, ring binders, pencils, erasers, pens, wallets, a calculator, geometry equipment, science items, etc.

Most students either have low-paying part-time jobs or rely on an allowance from their parents, so they tend to be appreciative when their parents help out with these items. Parents can also look on it as a sensible investment in their child's career.

It goes without saying the study room should be well-ventilated and maintained at an appropriate temperature. Nothing kills the study habit more than a lack of oxygen and an environment that's too hot or too cold!

In some homes, especially if there's a big family, there's simply no room to set up a study space. Is there a way round this?

In that case call on the relatives. Usually grandparents will have a spare room, and they'd be delighted to see the kids calling in regularly for a study session.

Or perhaps there's room at a friend's house and the two could meet up there. You'd have to monitor this, however, as it's amazing how easily study sessions can turn in to discussions about football, music or the latest gossip!

If that worries you, you could inquire whether the school runs a Homework Club or Supported Study classes after lessons. These are becoming more and more popular and teachers oversee them, so the homework gets completed.

This arrangement could be ideal. As parents you come up with the study materials. The school is there with the supervision and the study location. All the kids have to do is supply the required effort!

Helping your kids in the crucial area of home study will benefit them greatly in the long term.

Enjoy your parenting!