top of page
Search

Passover vacation and homework: How to help children cope?


Passover vacation is a wonderful time for rest and fun, but sometimes it comes with a "gift" in the form of homework.

Young children may find it particularly challenging to cope with this task, but with a few simple techniques, the experience can become more efficient and enjoyable.


The Pomodoro Technique: A great ally for children (and adults too), especially those with ADHD, but not just for them.



The Pomodoro Technique (in English: Pomodoro Technique) is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to divide work into 25-minute intervals separated by short breaks. Each interval is called a Pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato.

The Pomodoro Technique is an excellent time management method, especially for young children. It is based on dividing study time into short, focused intervals with short breaks in between.



How does it work?


Although originally designed for 25 minutes of work, I recommend that young children choose only 20 minutes of continuous work—

20 minutes of focus: Set a timer for 20 minutes of continuous work on homework.

5-minute break: After 20 minutes, take a short 5-minute break. You can get up, move around, drink water, or do any short and refreshing activity.

Repeat the process: Repeat the process 4 times, and then take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.



Why is it effective?


Focus: The short intervals help maintain focus and concentration, especially for young children with shorter attention spans.

Breaks: The regular breaks prevent burnout and allow the brain to rest and recharge.

Sense of achievement: Completing each Pomodoro provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts motivation.


A personal story from my daycare


On the last day of school before Passover vacation, when we arrived at the daycare, I discovered that some of the children had received an unusually large amount of homework in math and Hebrew.

They were frustrated and tired and just didn’t know where to start.

Together, we decided to try the Pomodoro Technique, and the results were amazing!

We divided the homework into small tasks, set a timer for 20 minutes, and I gave them short breaks in between. Gradually, they started to make progress, and the frustration turned into a sense of achievement. By the end of the day, almost everyone had finished their homework with a smile on their face. They gained a tremendous sense of satisfaction and went on vacation without any remaining tasks or homework.



Additional tips


Supportive environment: Create a quiet and pleasant learning environment with minimal distractions.

Planning ahead: Divide the homework into small tasks and set specific times for completing each task.

Positive reinforcement: Praise and encourage every bit of progress, no matter how small.

Personalization: Adapt the length of the Pomodoro and the breaks to suit your child’s unique needs.

Incorporating physical activity: Short physical activities during breaks can help children release energy and come back more focused.

Using apps: There are many apps that can help implement the Pomodoro Technique and even make the process fun.

Remember



Passover vacation is also meant for rest and fun. Be patient and flexible, and remember that the goal is not just to complete the homework but also to learn how to manage time effectively.

Happy Passover!




Thank you for reading!I invite you to stay connected and join our community:

See you in the next post! 🌟

Ilana Cahana 

Personalized Teaching | Parent Counseling and Guidance | ADHD | Integrative Coaching for Children and Teens | Lectures for Parents and Educational Staff

For contact and scheduling an appointment:  

Phone  0535453350  






 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page