Kids complain about homework all the time. But most of them often manage to complete the school work given, though rather begrudgingly. Unfortunately, there are some kids who just can’t cope with homework at all. It’s not about them being lazy. It’s about them having a real and severe anxiety with homework.
Causes of Homework Anxiety
Diane Peters Mayer, psychotherapist and author of Overcoming School Anxiety [AMACOM, 2008], says children already diagnosed with an anxiety disorder such as a panic disorder are more likely to be affected by the stress of homework.
“These children often find it difficult to concentrate on subject content, think through homework assignments, and organize the material and their time because much of their energy is spent trying to cope with their uncomfortable anxiety symptoms,” she writes.
Other known causes of homework anxiety include:
- Learning difficulties and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Major life changes such as divorce, illness or death in the family
- Being bullied at school
- Strained child-teacher relationship
Symptoms of Homework Anxiety
Children with homework anxiety demonstrate their fears in various ways. They often make up excuses for not doing their homework, forget to bring school assignments home and get extremely agitated or depressed when they have homework to do. Many also complain of headaches, stomach pains, breathing difficulty or tightness in the chest.
Helping a Child with Homework Anxiety
It takes a lot of patience and determination for parents to help children with severe homework anxiety. Here are some suggestions from Peters Mayer.
- Talk to the child about his fears. Find out what is truly bothering him. Let him know that you’re always there to help him. Never belittle his fear and make sure other family members understand this as well.
- Have regular parent-teacher communication. Talking to the teacher is the best way to find out how he is coping in school and understand his homework requirements. If possible, observe the child during class to see how lessons are taught.
- Be patient with the child. It’s easy to get frustrated and furious when the child refuses to do his homework. Don’t shout. Don’t threaten. Firmly but calmly tell him he has to do his homework. Assure him that there will be support and help when needed.
- Make homework area comfortable. The child has to like the homework area to be able to concentrate on his work. Make it special. Decorate it with things he likes. Make sure there are no distractions too. If the child needs to change a homework area, allow him from time to time.
- Create a more flexible homework routine. Children with homework anxiety will need a more flexible homework routine compared to other kids. Vary the time spent on homework and when it will be done.
- Check the child’s homework. This allows parents to see how he is coping with the workload. Read teachers’ comments on returned school assignments as well. Talk to the teacher if there are any issues at all regarding the workload.
- Teach the child to learn from mistakes. Don’t expect perfection from the child. Instead, tell him it’s okay to make mistakes. Lead by example and show him how to take constructive criticisms and learn from mistakes and failures.
If a child is unusually anxious about homework, check for other symptoms of homework anxiety. Talk to the child and his teachers to identify the source of his fears. Also, be patient and flexible about homework routine. Checking his completed homework and teaching him to learn from mistakes will help too.
Found this article useful? Read also Homework Help for Kids.
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