Increasing Motivation to Do Homework by Making It a Game

By Slattenk
Do your kids ever procrastinate on doing their homework? It’s hard for most people to get started on something they don’t really want to do. How can a task like homework be made more fun?
Difficult tasks become more engaging if they involve the attributes of a game:
  • Focus on Accomplishing Tasks to Win
  • Time Limit
  • Scoring
  • Prizes
Your kids can make homework more like a game by doing the following:
  • Write down the homework tasks that need to be done.
  • For each task, write down the time they think it will take.
  • Set a timer for a task. If it’s accomplished before the timer goes off, score one point.
  • Determine the prize for the points. It can be as simple as running outside and shooting 10 baskets or eating three strawberries.
  • Check that item off and go to the next task.
By transforming homework into a game, they will have more fun doing it.  They will also gain the important life skill of writing down what needs to get done and checking it off once it's done.