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Preparing an optimum homework environment for your child

As Asian parents, majority of us in KL are guilty of being comparable to our Singaporean counterparts – super kiasu! If you picked a thousand Moms from a KL basket, I guarantee 95% of them run the children’s rat race. They want their children to first be able to know their colours and shapes, then their alphabets and numbers, then learn how to read, then score straight A’s for their exams or get a top level position in class, and eventually complete their SPM, go to college and earn a brilliant University degree. We all want the best for our kids after all, but at what expense? Play time and exercise, learning the emotional graces, being confident and self-assured are skills all just as important to succeed in this world and it is no wonder why many straight A Malaysian students at school are now just mediocre adults in society. Sure, they may make it to become doctors or professionals and earn a decent living but when put on the international standards list, they appear at the bottom half.

It is a parental education fault as many Malaysian parents are traditional and still believe in strong academics leaving everything else behind, so whilst our poor kids get pushed on a daily basis to achieve, parents need to slowly learn and accept that getting straight A’s is now an outdated concept. It will not guarantee your child Bill Gate’s position but whilst we are still learning and getting educated on the latest research and strategies on what a good education entails, the least we can do for our children whilst we nag them to complete their homework, is to provide them with a homework environment that is conducive to learning and helps them get what is already so difficult, done more easily.

1. The Homework Routine - Make homework a routine for your child first and foremost. Explain that homework is non-negotiable. It is just something that needs to be completed, tell your child why. Have a set time to do this every day. Should your child have extra-curriculur activities or is tired, be flexible with the homework routine.
2. The Homework Silence – Find a place in your home that is most quiet, certainly not in front of the telly! A child doing homework needs to concentrate and neighbours bickering or street noise is the easiest way to distract a child as the smallest things distract them. At most, some soft music without lyrics in the background is acceptable.
3. The Homework Nutrition – Always feed your child a nutritious snack before he does his homework but make sure it’s not a carbohydrate heavy meal because that’s bound to make him sleepy. Some fruit or a sandwich is a much better option. Kids need energy to do their homework.
4. The Homework Desk – Many Malaysian kids do their homework on the floor! Set a good example and get your child a proper work desk, one with lots of space to spread his books around. If you really can’t, use the dining table but give your child a basket to quickly pack all his books up temporarily should he not be finished when a meal is due.
5. The Homework Lighting – Ensure that your child’s work desk is brightly lit. Straining to read will only make his eye sight worse and give him headaches. Remember, comfort is key to completing homework efficiently.
6. The Homework Help – Allow your child the independence to complete his homework by himself and only guide him when he asks. Never give him the answers or you will not be helping him. Many Malaysian parents are compelled to give their child the right answers so their children look good in their teacher’s eyes, but who are you helping really?

Just imagine, our kids will have to go through 12 years of homework! As parents, let us make their homework journey comfortable and conducive in helping them have the best start in life. Go! Go have a think today on how you can create your child’s new homework space! The exercise alone will get him excited about homework!

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