"I Don't Get It!" – Why Traditional Homework is a Square Peg

It’s 6:00 PM. Dinner is getting cold, your patience is fried, and your child is staring at a worksheet like it’s written in an alien language. Then comes the phrase that makes every parent’s stomach drop: "I don’t get it."

Cue the frustration, the tears (from both of you), and the inevitable battle.

If this scene sounds familiar, I want you to take a deep breath and listen: The problem is not your child. The problem is likely the method.

The "Square Peg" of Traditional Homework

For decades, homework has looked one way: read a textbook, answer questions on a worksheet. This "one-size-fits-all" approach assumes every brain processes information linearly.

But for neurodiverse students—kids with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or other learning differences—this traditional method is often a square peg being forced into a round hole. Their brains are wired differently. They may struggle with dense text, multi-step instructions, or sitting still for long periods.

When we force them to learn in a way that works against their brain's natural design, we aren't teaching them the material; we're teaching them that learning is painful.

Offering "Multiple Entry Points" to Learning

The good news is that there isn’t just one way to learn something. Experts agree that neurodiverse students often require "multiple entry points" to engage with course content.

Think of it like a house. If the front door (the textbook) is locked, you don't just give up. You try the side door (a video), the back door (a hands-on activity), or a window (a gamified app).

Here is how to swap the yelling for strategies that actually work:

• Ditch the Dense Text: If reading a chapter is causing a meltdown, find a high-quality educational video that explains the same concept. Visual and auditory learning can be a game-changer.

• Make it Active: Instead of just reading definitions, have your child create flashcards, act out the vocabulary words, or build a model. "Active reading" helps engage different parts of the brain.

• Gamify the Struggle: Apps like Ziggyloo are designed specifically to turn learning into an engaging, personalized experience. When it feels like a game, the pressure is off, and the learning can sneak in.

• Break it Down: A giant worksheet can feel insurmountable. Cut it in half. Do the evens tonight and the odds tomorrow. A smaller task is less daunting and provides a quicker sense of accomplishment.
  

The Bottom Line

Your goal isn't to force your child to complete a worksheet; your goal is to help them learn. By recognizing that traditional homework methods may not fit their unique brain, you can stop fighting the "square peg" battle and start finding the entry points that unlock their potential—without the tears.