Mover children need the most support when it comes to academics. It's a good idea to keep the Mover's homework periods short, ending on a positive note whenever possible. Your physical presence will help keep him focused on his task, as will the elimination of household noise and other distractions. Turn off the television, unplug the phone, put the cat in another room, and occupy younger children elsewhere when it's homework time.
Your Mover will need help staying organized. No doubt, he tends to misplace things, so provide a backpack in which he can carry homework, notes, his lunch, and library books. Designate a special coat hook as the place his bag is to be hung at home. If you arrange several trays or wire baskets on his desk or the kitchen counter, your child will be able to separate his math, spelling, and workbook papers. When you explain the instructions for a particular assignment, ask for a repetition before your child goes to work.
Hugs, back pats, and "high fives" are very motivating to a Mover child. You can also offer such appealing incentives as walking the dog, playing outdoors, or helping make pizza when his homework is done. Since Movers often respond well to food rewards, periodic offerings of cheese, nuts, popcorn, or a frozen juice bar will make homework time more palatable.
It's a good idea to provide the Mover first grader with a chalkboard for printing practice. This way, he can practice his letter shapes without the added pressure of conforming to lines and margins. Suggest that he lie on his bed or a beanbag chair while reading. This will allow him to stretch and squirm to his heart's content! Try to add action to whatever your child is trying to learn. Write addition facts on cards, for example, and have your child jump over each card as he reads it aloud. Or, tape his spelling words to a wall in a darkened room, and have him move a flashlight from word to word, reading as he goes.
As you can see, knowledge of your child's learning style provides an excellent perspective for working with him at home. The right environment and appropriate homework strategies can make a big difference in your first grader's receptiveness to new material. Read on for more specific tactics!