One of the most common problems faced by doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry and even in adult psychiatry is that parents cannot make their children do homework. No matter what we do, even if the children do their homework. Even if they are university or graduate students, families follow their children’s success. Sometimes they worry too much about them.
An important part of the applications to child and adolescent psychiatry is related to course success. Part of not studying may be due to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, special learning disorder (dyslexia), anxiety disorders, depression, communication, friend relationship problems and family problems. Part of it is due to the lack of a sense of responsibility towards homework.
Homework helps develop school responsibility. In addition, it is useful to repeat the lessons so that the information learned at school is placed in permanent memory. Child and adolescent psychiatrist tries to improve the child’s homework behavior by using behavioral treatment methods in his interviews with children and adolescents. For this, it is necessary to work with the family. The family will help but will not do all the homework as it is entirely their own duty.
Teachers should review their assignments. There should be a small reward or punishment for this. Otherwise, after a while, the motivation of children and young people decreases for uncontrolled assignments.
A student who gets used to doing homework in a certain rhythm will feel uncomfortable if he no longer does homework. Apart from homework, children who have been given responsibilities from a very young age will have a greater sense of duty.
For school, homework that will be useful to the child psychiatrically and psychologically as much as he/she can handle should be given. Giving just for the sake of giving homework will break the child’s desire after a while.
Problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, special learning disorder (dyslexia), anxiety disorders, depression, communication and friend relationship problems should be evaluated separately in child and adolescent psychiatry. Since children with attention deficits get bored quickly, study hours should be arranged at shorter intervals. He should take a break when he gets bored. He should be allowed to do fun things in between.
For children with special learning difficulties, an education model should be implemented at a slower pace, especially in areas with learning problems. You should definitely go to a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychologist. Special education specialists may also be helpful.
Education specific to each child is very important. Child and adolescent psychiatrists should understand the child’s learning model and draw up an educational model accordingly. The learning speed and abilities of children and adolescents are important. They can have different learning abilities by listening, writing, reading.
Psychiatric diseases should be considered in children whose academic success suddenly drops or who suddenly stops studying. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, school-friend problems should be considered and treated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He can then return to his homework habits.
Lesson and homework are the most important tasks for children and teenagers. Even university students may have trouble studying and homework due to attention problems. Families need to be directive without putting too much pressure on this issue. They should not hesitate to go to a psychiatrist if they think they are missing out.
