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forcing versus willing

My 7-year old hates homework. I am using the word “hate”.


My husband and I try not to force him to do it, but keep it at the reminder level. We are wondering if we remind him enough, he would eventually do it?


“It’s boring, mommy!” he complains.


Even though he knows how he feels, he isn’t able to articulate exactly what bothers him so much.


It’s not that he isn’t curious about the world.

It’s not that he refuses to know something that he doesn’t.

It’s the repetition that he doesn’t think worth doing.


Often, schools assume it’s a straight-line process to improve reading and writing: the more you repeat, the better you will be good at it. So everyone should stick to this way of thinking.


But that’s not how most people learn. Learning is barely a straight-line process but filled with options and varieties for people to choose and connect.


If this doesn’t work, let’s try something else. Connecting with interesting things or subjects help kids like my son understand the importance of reading and writing.


When we understand the why, we are more likely willing to improve them diligently.


Isn’t providing options and varieties so kids can choose and connect what our schools should be for?

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