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Hassle-Free Homework: Spring Break Breaks Child's Routine

By Dr. Yvonne Fournier, Columnist

Dear Dr. Fournier:

Spring Break couldn't have a better name. It broke up all I've accomplished this year with my children! They were used to coming home from school, getting their homework done in time to play, us having dinner together as a family, and them going to bed on time.

Spring Break of course demolished our routine. And now that Daylight Savings Time has kicked in, the longer days confuse them. They think they have plenty of time to play first and do homework later. Getting them to sit down and do it is a nightmare. How can I break this Spring Break syndrome?

Dr. Yvonne Fournier Photo: Rupert Yen

Candy L.
Houston, TX

Dear Candy:

From the moment students, teachers and parents see Spring Break approaching, we all seem to ride on an emotional roller coaster. The ride up is the fun part.

ASSESSMENT

As students look forward to a vacation from school and parents savor a break from the routine, anticipation makes us all believe, "I can get my work done later."

The roller coaster is at its crest during Spring Break - no work, no responsibilities, no schedule, and no deadlines. As our children indulge in their week off, they leap to a new crest of anticipation and they look forward to an entire summer of freedom and fun.

But like all roller-coaster rides, we cannot stay at the high point forever. For children, the scary ride down comes when school resumes and anticipation must meet reality. Suddenly projects that should have been short-term have turned into long-term, more information has been added to upcoming tests, more homework has been assigned, and the in-classroom workload has been increased.

The roller coaster does not stop here. The weeks after Spring Break are probably the toughest ride, with steep peaks and low valleys. Many children greet spring and its pleasures with a smile covering inner fears that the worst of school is yet to come. It all comes together when they want to play and when parents want the transition back to normalcy.

WHAT TO DO

Recognize that the time between Spring Break and the end of school is a whole new situation. What was your normal pattern before may no longer apply, and you must redefine the conditions to find a new pattern that is right for you and your children.

Start by having your child list every class or subject on a piece of paper divided into two vertical columns. On the left side of the paper, have your child write what he or she was required to do in that class before Spring Break. On the right side of the paper, have your child write what may be different in that class for the remainder of the year. Have your child write specifically what will be different in each class and provide an extra sheet of paper to record "Other Changes" likely to occur before the end of the year.

With this information, parents will have added insight into the new anxieties that children face during the last few weeks of school. To create a new normalcy, have your child set up a daily checklist with specific ways to handle the new workload. As children check off things on their list each day, they can write their own completion plan detailing time for homework and other activities.

Once you approve your child's plan, step back, monitor and enjoy. You are giving your child the responsibility of planning with the freedom to determine his own schedule on the next rollercoaster ride to success.

CONTACT DR. FOURNIER

Have a question about education, education-related issues or your child's schoolwork or homework? Ask Dr. Fournier and look for her answer in this column. E-mail your question or comment to Dr. Yvonne Fournier at drfournier@hfhw.net.