Homework Time is a Challenge with Twins

My twins are only in first grade but already homework time can be difficult. For one, they both need my assistance and last time I checked, there is only one of me. Second, while they are in separate classes, they are both in the accelerated math class and so they have exactly the same math homework – and you know how they like to ‘help’ each other. Toss in the fact that they have only had 30 minutes of recess time all day and it’s a recipe for disaster. Here are some things I’ve found helpful to get everyone settled down and focused.

Let that energy out

Even adults find their mind wandering at 3:00pm so it’s especially hard for children to leave school and have to sit right back down and focus. It seems our school has found the answer: they send the kids out to recess BEFORE they sit them down for lunch. So, why not try this at home? Now I always try to set aside ten to thirty minutes of play time right after school even if they have an activity later. I either toss them outside to run around, let them jump on the moonbounce in our basement (best $150 we ever spent!), or have them dance to some music .

A snack to settle things down

In my house food will always bring them back inside and they are usually famished after school as well. A little snack can fill their tummy just enough to slow them back down, and help them focus on their homework. I try to offer something with protein as well like peanut butter and apple or celery, cheese and crackers, a slice of ham or turkey with a cheese stick, or even bean salsa with corn chips.

Divide and conquer

This is becoming a theme at my house. It has been difficult to help both children at the same time, at the same table. EIther they aren’t focused on their work and are shouting out answers to their sister, or they are tapping their pencil, shuffling around, and other causing a disctraction. Try separating your twins at different tables. It’s actually easier for me to go back and forth between the tables every 5 minutes than it was for me to have my head clicking back like a tennis fan every 30 seconds as questions were thrown at me. When my husband is available he sits with one in the family room and I take one into the kitchen. I have also tried just sitting down with one for 30 minutes while the other twin heads to their room to read quietly and then switching. Sometimes we can bang it out in15 minutes this way.

Can they help each other without cheating?

Look, they have a bond. They like to help each other. One twin may be better at a certain subject than the other. Or, they might share a class and compare the homework. Either way they end up ‘helping’ each other. The key is to monitor that help so that it really is just that, help, and not simply giving the answer away. Separating them can help. But there is something to be said for learning from each other. Try letting them explain to each other how they came to that conclusion (whether it’s reading or math) after the homework is done. Take advantage of the fact that twins have that unique relationship and maybe they just know how to explain it better.

matteo ei copiti image 1 courtesy Luiginter

race image 2 courtesy squidonius

log cabin image 3 courtesy rrss

Janine Nickel is the mother of 6-year old twin girls. She writes about her twins, raising girls, her own neuroses, an every day adventures at TwoferMom.com.

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