Homework frustrations-- 1/2 hour to write two (very small) food chains

[orangetulip]

Hi,
Tearing my hair out here - homework is a constant battle, and taking HOURS over something really quite simple.
My son (9) just will not sit still and get on with it - is constantly distracted - stopping every 30 seconds to do tricks with the pencil / see what the dog's eating / scrunch up bits of paper... The whole thing's driving me bananas . Anyone suffering the same ? Any tips ? Help !

NO homework = no Tv / Nintendo / playstation or whatever.
BuT I guess you have tried that !!

He is probably has a kineasthetic learning style.

You can beat him over it, but, in the long run, it is probably best to find a way for him to work effectively and happily.

He probably can't help it.
Sit him in a room with no distractions. TV off, dog in other room. Sit at the table with him.

Even reward him for completing task?

It doesn't have to be a kinaestetic learning style. My dd used to do the same- simply because she didn't want to do her homework. In the same way as she did not want to tidy her room or do her hair or help to lay the table. She actually has a very traditional academic learning style (sitting still and reading very big books). The fidgeting was not an aid to learning in her case, but a deliberate attempt to wind me up to the point where I would lose patience and give up on the homework.

I'm assuming there are no issues in school with him writing slowly or an inability to concentrate?

If not then it is all about currency ie what they want in exchange for what you want. You want him to do his homework quickly, he wants his Wii/DS/watch tv/play outside or whatever he likes best.

If you believe he can complete the homework in 15 minutes, then give him the 15 minutes, anything over that eats into his Wii/DS time etc.

He may end up with NO time doing what he wants but that may help him learn.