DS9 Concentration levels of a gold fish!

[jen127]

Ny DS9 is in 3rd class in primary school. He gets about 5 or six things each night, Monday til Thursday for homework. Completing this can take between 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. I think it should take less than an hour.
Any ideas on how to keep him focused.
He is always fed when he comes in from school so is not working on an empty stomach.
He knows he can't go out or anyone come in until the homework is finished. ( he is is an only). But nothing motivates him.
Any suggestions welcome.

jen127:

If I'm understanding you correctly your DS is doing 1.5 to 2 hours of homework per night? I'm slightly perplexed by your post because the government guidance for homework in Year 3 (ages 8/9) is 1.5 hours in total per week. guidance here: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_179508

Not sure if you are at a state or independent school. I would suggest breaking up the homework into smaller chunks (maybe blocks of 30 minutes). We tend to do worksheets or spellings right after school with a snack. Reading after bath and before bedtime.

I also do some homework at weekends - Have you considered doing some at the weekend. My DD1 often has to wait for her sister's ballet lesson to finish - so we use that 1/2 hour to do her weekly maths homework.

Sometimes we practice spellings/ multiplication tables on the walk or drive into school in the morning. So all in all the homework gets done - but it isn't done in one huge long block.

I also think you should let your DS play with friends too - that's as important. So maybe say - o.k. go and play until 4:30 - but then straight in and get on with your maths homework.

PSBD Thanks for your feedback. We live in Ireland but I believe the guidelines are similar and we are at a state school.
The homework is given out Monday - Thursday and has to be completed during this period.
I will try breaking it up a bit more. Maybe try and get the easy stuff out of the way first and then give him some free time.
I work FT so doing the homework in the morning is a no goer. His minder in the morning drops him off.
Thank again

Hi jen127

I had to dash so couldn't look this up - but this leaflet went round our schools a while ago - and has some good ideas.

Homework tip leaflet info here: www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@parents/documents/digitalasset/dg_187190.pdf

Hope that helps

I look at that link in detail tomorrow ! First impression is good ! Thanks for all the feedback!