AuthorDr. Carrie McMillin is a naturopathic physician that specializes in treating adults and children with ADHD and anxiety. Archives
February 2023
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 My 4th grader really struggles with math. She has dyscalculia in addition to ADHD, and many tears have been shed over math worksheets. And while we limit the amount of workbook-type lessons she is doing in most subjects, for math they are somewhat unavoidable. So we needed to have a plan for how to make math time doable while she’s at home. Here are some tips that you may be able to apply to your homework/homeschool routine!
1. Be intentional about WHEN math time is We broke math into two 30 minute blocks. One is in the morning at 10:00AM. My kiddo does pretty well at this time of day as far as mood and she has not yet drained her attention reserves for the day. This is also just shortly after breakfast, so she is not getting hungry yet. The second 30 minute block is at 1:00, after lunch and recess, when blood sugar is good and energy has been burned off! 2. Work for short chunks of time with mini breaks For my kiddo, she needs a short brain break after 10 minutes of math. We set our timer for 10 minutes. When 10 minutes are up, we set the timer for a 5 minute break. Once that is up, it’s back to a 10 minute work chunk followed by a 5 minute break. That equals our 30 minute math block. 3. Use a visual timer It can be tough for ADHD brains to get a good feel for how much time is left with a standard timer (one that just shows a number). Visual timers can be super helpful as an alternative, and usually don’t require a big investment. These timers have a block of color that shows the quantity of time remaining, in addition to a number. Search the term “visual timer” online for a physical option, or choose an app with the same set up. 4. Sit with your kid You will soon get a feel for noticing when they are getting distracted or need support. I have found it’s incredibly effective if I ask her to explain how to do a problem--and I am being genuine. I honestly don’t often understand the methods she is currently being taught and when she explains them to me she has a sense of pride. She is also motivated to help me out because I want to understand and she wants to help me. Once she explains roughly what they are working on, we are able to work on the worksheets together. 5. THE BREAK JAR This is the best part of our method. And we only use the break jar for math because it is the bane of our existence...at least it requires the most effort. I have several slips of paper with ideas for things to do on the 5 minute breaks. These are simple things like “Dance!” (see full list below), and ONE of the slips is for a prize! 6. Give lots of positive feedback High five, “Great job!”, “You are working hard!”, “You are a rockstar!”, fist bump, etc. Your kid is super amazing, so let her know! If they are getting frustrated and struggling, let them know you can see they are working hard, how can you help? Offer support if they would like it. So here’s a breakdown of how we use the timer: 10 minutes math 5 minute break (draw a slip from the break jar!) 10 minutes math 5 minute break (draw another slip from the break jar!) Here are the things in our break jar: Get a drink--this could even be something special like a cup of juice with an umbrella in it Watch a funny animal video--I have a few compilations cued up on my phone to watch Have a treat--we’ve done 2 of each color skittles or M&Ms;try something that’s special Fresh air- maybe go outside and look at the clouds, run up and down the driveway, etc Fidget--I will get our fidget basket out for her to choose one Sing--we like to belt out David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” at the top of our lungs Snack--usually less coveted than the “Treat”, but good to grab a fruit, trail mix, etc Dance--I may or may not have put on “Despacito” for this one (don’t judge) Dog snugs--we have a very squishy pug, and some cuddle time with him is a nice break Jokes--I have a few pages of kid jokes bookmarked and we take turns telling them Yoga--we do a few easy yoga poses Short video--my daughter likes to watch trailers or previews from a cartoon she likes Lotion--we will take time to put on some really yummy smelling lotion PRIZE--these are just small things I have picked up for a few dollars here and there and set aside (ex. a squishy frog) Note: We set aside a slip of paper once she’s picked it. That way all slips are used before they are all added back to the bowl to start over. Feel free to add things that make sense for your kid, keeping in mind they are for a 5 minute break. (So nothing that they might start and want to continue instead of going back to their next work block.) Hope this helps you and your kiddo. And hey, you are doing an awesome job! You’ve got this!
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Staying Sane in Quarantine: Schedules3/15/2020 Like so many families right now, we will be staying in our home for an extended period of time. We also have an immune-suppressed family member, so our kids have already been home for a week. And we are already getting a bit stir crazy! With schools closed in our area for the next six weeks or more, many families are trying to figure out how to keep kids entertained and hopefully even get a bit of schoolwork done as well. With ADHD kids, this can be exceptionally difficult. But when schedules have been thrown out the window and the usual structure of school is gone, all kids are going to struggle a bit. So I’m sharing a few things we are doing at my house to manage! Schedule I’m using this term lightly. In our home, schedules need to have a lot of free time scattered throughout, and some room for flexibility. Our priorities right now for schoolwork are staying on top of math, practicing typing, and reading something every day. The rest is really a bonus. Here is what works for us. My 4th grader’s weekday schedule:  Hopefully our schedule can help you to create one that works for your family. On weekends, we let kids have much more flexibility, but keep wake times, mealtimes, and bedtimes fairly consistent. Having some sort of schedule is really important for ADHD brains, but finding what works for your kids may take some trial and error. That’s okay, you will figure it out!
Stay tuned for details on things like how we stay motivated, getting through really tough subjects, and ways to tweak the schedule when needed. You’ve got this! |
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