3 Fun Questions From Moms About Tutoring

Mom #1
My son is starting to scare me because he isn't doing his school work. This is a lot like someone else in my house. What should I do?

This is actually a really great question. Usually moms get frustrated with boys when their bad behavior reminds them of the person they are, or were married to for many years. There is no simple answer to this question, but here are a few tricks that work.

1) Own that you are upset with your husband. We are men it is in our DNA to do annoying things. If we didn't then we wouldn't need women to help us see the right path. Talk it out with your husband and ask him if he would like to try to handle the issue. Don't be surprised if he jumps at the chance.

2) Ask the child directly if he knows who else in the house does that same behavior? When he answers correctly tell him to go talk to the dad. Tell the child to ask the dad what happens to him when he gets caught with this behavior.

3) Use the phrase, "I wish you the best of luck with that behavior."

Once the humor breaks up the tension then simply ask them what they are struggling with tyring to learn. This is when you can jump in and help.

Mom #2
The person who teaches my daughter is a moron. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is let your daughter know that her problem is real and not her fault.

Second remember we can't change morons. If someone could they would be rich and never out of work. The moron won't see it because they are stuck in a mindset of "I'm right and everyone else is wrong." We all get caught in this trap during our lives.

Third is of course the massively used word - acceptance. Acceptance does not mean inaction.

Fourth create an action plan with your child where interacting with this person becomes a fun game between the two of you. You want to be the safe and loving place for them to land. You want your daughter running to you with the story of the moron. Then ask your daughter what was the moron trying to teach you today. Let me see if I can help you.

Fifth go shopping, or eating.

Mom #3
Why are they giving my child so much homework?

Simple. Teachers are teaching to the test. This means during class time they briefly go over the subject during class and shift the learning process to the student. We all know how crazy making this can be.

The best solution is to sit with your child and make sure they are understanding the core concept versus doing busy work. With math for example what is the concept behind a word problem? It is a game to see if you know what words mean addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Bottom line try your best to make each annoying homework assignment into a fun project. Your child simply wants to connect with you. Don't always do homework at home. Go to a coffee shop, mall or other hangout place. Enjoy it rather than making it a trip to the dentist.

Send your questions to mathttuor.roger@gmail.com

Homework Help 101

Here is a tip from my "2 Hours 2 Sanity" Parent Homework Workshop.

These workshops are now held on Monday 7-9PM, Tuesday 1-3PM and Wednesday 10am-noon and private sessions at your home are available click here to register online or call (310)492-3121.

20 Minute Focus Per Subject (This works for all ages)
This suggestion will help everyone in the house in regards to homework. When a child is doing homework they should focus for 20 minutes straight on only one subject. The results of this type of focus are amazing.

You and your child will immediately see a difference. This does not mean that the parent does the homework. The parent should never do the homework.

Here is a suggested structure for the homework.

1. Both the parent and child should understand what concept is being taught in the homework. (Time: 1-3 minutes of review before starting.)
Homework is really just repetition of a specific concept. For example the concept of reducing fractions. 100% of the homework will be on that concept. Within that concept the student will have to add, subtract, multiply and divide. However, there is only one concept being taught - reducing fractions.

If the student wants to avoid the work then they will speak as if the concept was not taught. Understand that is all that was taught. It is not in the interest of the teacher to just hand out a piece of paper for homework. The homework is actually a guide to the parent of what was taught that day.

Maybe the student didn't pay attention? Maybe the teacher was awful? Maybe the student doesn't get it? This has to be understood before they start the work.

When a parent says, "the teacher didn't go over this..." then I suggest the parent contact the teacher with the child present. As you start to grab the phone an interesting change will occur. All of a sudden the child will remember. Once you get them to that point then they are ready to do the work.

Avoiding the work is really just a warm up for the child to actually do the work.

2. Give them 20 minutes to complete the work. (The parent should not be in the room during this period)
You will be amazed that they can and will do the work. Usually with about 5-10 minutes left over. If a concept is complex then they will need a break. They can then come back and do another 20 minute chunk of homework.

3. Reward them for the focus! It is the focus that generates results. Even if they only focus for a few minutes that is progress. Focus comes from practice. We are all wired to avoid work rather than to focus on it because we want to play.