Ploys to get 10 yr old DS to finish homework quickly!!!

[SerendipityAlways]

Please tell me about your ploys to get homework completed quickly! My DS of 10 yrs is incredibly sloooow at finishing his homework.. No learning issues, DS is v capable just Mr Sloooooow. Homework which should only take 30-45 mins can take him up to 2 hours to complete, and that with me supervising him!!
Hes v easily distracted, says hes hungry, tired, needs to go to the loo, daydreaming etc etc, anything but sitting down and applying himself to the task. His concentration levels are terrible. DS gets fed as soon as he comes in after school so hes not hungry and homework is done in the kitchen with me, no noise and no distractions. I would be interested in hearing about the ploys you use to keep your DS focussed and complete home work in a reasonable time, as I'm at melt-down stage! Thanks

[redskyatnight]

TBH I'd stop supervising him and give him the responsibility of doing it himself. Will he get into trouble at school if it's not completed?

With my Y4 DS I "remind" him what homework he has to do this week, ask what he plans to do today (he knows that "nothing" is not a good answer, but otherwise I let him do as much or as little as he thinks appropriate - he's already worked out for himself that if he doesn't spread his homework through the week he ends up spending ages on it on one night). I then make sure he has all the materials necessary and an appropriate space to do it. Other than that I leave him to it. He knows he can ask for help if needed and I will (e.g.) test him on his spellings, but I won't sit over him or do his homework for him. If he chooses not to do it or do it badly, he knows that there will be consequences at school. Much less stressful :)

[dinkystinky]

timer and reward (episode of favourite tv show/game etc after if he finishes within the allocated time - give him an hour and see what happens)?

[crosscupcake]

Yup timer here too.

Set it for 15 minute intervals, then snack for 5 minutes.
15 mins...wee break
15 mins, drink break

after a week increase to 25 mins.

If this doesnt happen, then walk away, give him a week unsupervised, dont yell, or get cross, just let it ride..see what happens. Consequences at school for incomplete homework may help kick him up the bum!

Mine is slow/distracted/infuriating/delay tactics.
You gotta just take charge i spose. feel your pain.

[acebaby]

I would give him a reasonable length slot (say one hour) to do the homework in, and then if he doesn't do it, put it away and let him explain to the teacher why it isn't finished.

He will probably get a few low marks and then buck his ideas up! Good luck!

[SerendipityAlways]

Great suggestions so far girls - glad to see I'm not the only one! Teacher very strict but fair so there would be consequences if home work not completed, maybe I'll have a chat with teacher to explain my new strategy and get him "on side"!

[ShaynePunim]

Exactly in the same situation as OP (same age boy) - very interested in all the answers too!

[SerendipityAlways]

ShaynePunim - Glad to hear from someone in a similiar position! DS's writing is also terrible, in his attempts to try and get through the homework he will just scribble down something - he has no awareness that it looks so untidy!

[SerendipityAlways]

Update: Tried the new regime with 10 yrs od DS yesterday. As suggested by a fellow MNetter, DS has 1 hour in total to do his homework. He gets fed first thing when he comes in from school, then its straight into home work. 30 minutes (timed) a 5 mins break, and then another 30 mins (timed on oven timer!!). If it all gets done in that time, great! If it doesn't get done, then he has to go into teacher next morning and explain why!!!! Needless to say he tore though his home wk yesterday and was done with 5 mins to spare. Hopefully day 2 today will work out as well!!