| Children with attention deficit hyperactivity | | | | portion. |
| disorder (ADHD) often have difficulty sitting still | | | | - Use White Noise: White noise, such as the |
| and concentrating. They feel the urge to move | | | | humming of a fan, helps an ADHD child |
| around continually. Everyday items such as a | | | | concentrate. |
| ticking clock, the movement of the rustling leaves, | | | | - Write It Down: ADHD children often forget |
| the wind outside, and the dripping of a leaky | | | | homework assignments seconds after being told |
| faucet are enough to distract attention from | | | | the tasks. Purchase an agenda book or school |
| homework. | | | | planner to track assignments. Teach your child to |
| Parents can help an ADHD child complete it | | | | use it daily. |
| without resorting to yelling and threatening | | | | - Keep a Schedule: Routine schedules make a big |
| punishment. Understanding the thought and | | | | difference in children with ADHD. Setting a time |
| behavior pattern differences in their child equips | | | | for it every day allows the child to prepare for |
| parents to help a young one complete homework | | | | the activity. Be sure to select a period when your |
| in a reasonable timeframe and retain a greater | | | | child's concentration levels are the greatest. |
| level of knowledge. | | | | Homework Tips for Kids with Hyperactivity |
| Not all ADHD children are alike. Some have minimal | | | | Disorder |
| hyperactivity symptoms; others may focus well, | | | | - Frequent Breaks: Allow the child to take a break |
| but have difficulty controlling their moods and | | | | at set intervals during homework time. This |
| physical actions. A different approach treats each | | | | relieves the desire to move around, fostering |
| type of behavior. | | | | greater concentration. |
| Homework Tips for Kids with Attention Deficit | | | | - Burn off Excess Energy: Allow the child a few |
| Problems | | | | minutes of free time, preferable outdoors and |
| - Remove Obvious Distractions: Turn off the | | | | prior to the homework session. Transition to the |
| television and radio, remove siblings from the | | | | time by slowly decreasing physical activity until |
| room and close the blinds before beginning | | | | the child is able to sit still to work on assignments. |
| homework. | | | | - Use Index Cards: Write out spelling words, |
| - Use an Egg Timer: An egg timer provides | | | | memorization items, or key facts on index cards |
| continuous visual cues to help the child pace | | | | that the child can flip through while standing or |
| progress and stay on task. | | | | walking around the room. |
| - Verbal Cues: If you catch your child | | | | - Try Standing Up: Use a podium for completing |
| daydreaming or fidgeting with school supplies, | | | | this instead of a desk and chair. This may allow |
| gently remind them to return to the task of | | | | the child to expend small amounts of physical |
| completing their homework. | | | | energy while allowing him to complete homework |
| - Break Down Large Assignments: Large | | | | in a timely manner. |
| assignments can be overwhelming to a child with | | | | When helping an ADHD child complete homework, |
| attention deficit disorder. Parents should break | | | | be sure to give frequent words of praise for |
| these large assignments into smaller, manageable | | | | each small accomplishment. Patience, |
| chunks. This also helps create an ongoing sense of | | | | encouragement, and understanding are necessary |
| accomplishment as the child completes each | | | | in dealing with these extraordinary children. |