Natural Parenting Tips for Balancing Play and Study
In planning your child's day, allow time for active play and for more quiet
activities, such as looking at picture books, drawing, or studying. Parents can
set aside time each day for toddlers to learn how to make things or to read or
study together. If children develop these habits when they are young, they
will usually continue into adulthood. When children start school, it is important
that they have time to sit quietly and read or do their homework. School
children need a clean, quiet, and orderly space for studying and doing
homework. It is better for them to finish their homework before watching
television. If they stay up late watching television-promising to do their
homework afterward-they may become too tired to do it.
If children are not interested in studying or in doing homework, or are too
active to sit quietly, simple dietary changes can usually help them calm down.
A warm bath will often help a child to relax.
You can stimulate your child's interest in study by making it fun and
interesting. Usually, if you participate actively in encouraging and occasionally
helping your children with their studies, they will take much more interest and
pride in what they do. Also, if children frequently observe their parents
studying and reading, they will usually try to imitate them. It is better not to
nag your children about doing homework. Help them set up a quiet time each
day for their studies. When necessary, you can adjust your schedule to spend
time with your child to help with homework. It is better if children do their
homework in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. If there are younger children in
the family, see to it that they are in bed or occupied in some way so as not to
disturb the older child while he is studying.