The Mood Thermometer
Article
At the end of a busy day, kids aren’t always in the right headspace to sit down and focus on their homework. Our mood thermometer can help your child figure out whether they’re ready to get started or whether they should take a break.
Grade
1-6
Table of contents
How to use our mood thermometer
Cut out the pointer, then stick a little Fun-Tak on the back of it so your child can move it around on the thermometer. Before they pull out their books, ask your child how they’d rank their current mood on the thermometer. Ask them again after each homework task. If your child is at the upper end of the scale, you can take steps to help them:
- If they have too much energy, brainstorm ways to help them focus and calm down
- Adapt their homework environment by peppering in some movement when necessary
- Reschedule homework time (e.g., after dinner)
- Suggest taking a quick break to do some yoga or another physical activity
- Spend more (or less) time on each task
- If your child has ADHD, work together to find solutions to their homework struggles
- Try using a timer
- Etc.
