WHY DOING HOMEWORK AND PLAYING BASEBALL ARE PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL
I sense a certain amount of skepticism. I can almost hear you saying, ‘Look, since doing homework is usually a colossal pain in the backside and playing baseball is almost always fun–why bother to pretend they’ve got anything in common? My kid won’t believe it for a second.”
Maybe. But here’s your argument. “Okay, while you keep insisting playing baseball is fun–(and you can substitute any other sport here, like soccer or basketball )–you’ve got to admit the sport has its downside, too. I mean, how much fun are warmups? Endless criticisms from the coach? Nasty sneers from your friends? Punishments for breaking those stupid rules? Bench sitting? The occasional black eye or twisted ankle?”
In other words, becoming a champ in any sport takes time, effort, endless repetitions, tons of sweat and plenty of pain. Pretty much what you can expect when trying to become a homework champ, too. So–the two clearly have their similarities.
And they have have other things in common as well. In both cases, for instance, the ‘player’ usually discovers that those around him seem to have all sorts of unfair advantaages. In baseball, the competition may seem to be bigger, stronger, and better coordinated than he is. Quite often, they also have (a) an older brother who taught them the game while they were still in diapers and (b) parents who can afford expensive equipment and even baseball camps. In homework? The other kids in class seem to be smarter, neater, better organized, and they often have (a) brilliant older sisters who gives them pointers on how to ace a book report and (b) parents who DON’T constantly nag them, call them cretins, and wonder out loud if they have ADD.
Still, while the two activities may be kissing cousins, they do have some major differences. You will have to admit to your kid that:
1) Playing a sport isn’t always mandatory but, sorry kid–doing your homework is.
2)Frankly, becoming a champ in your favorite sport may be out of your reach–hey, let’s be realistic here–but becoming the king or queen of homework is always a possibility. (Yes, even if you have two left feet and the ‘eye’ of a nearsighted wombat, you can dazzle your teacher–at least occasionally.)
3)And most imprtant of all–once you learn how to do homework correctly, you can use your knowledge to help you succeed later on in the real world. On the other hand–learning to hit a ball thrown at your head will very rarely come in handy when you start your grownup career. (On a personal note: I’ve worked in offices, restaurants, schools and libraries and have never felt the need to throw an object at anyone’s head. Well, maybe once or twice, but it definitely wouldn’t have helped the situation.)
To sum up, then, since doing homework is so similar to playing baseball, it makes all the sense in the world to pretend you’re a baseball coach, for a while, and use some of the sport’s rules–and equipment–to help turn your ‘failing’ kid into a homework champ. So–while waiting for the next blog, ask yourself: what’s the most important piece of baseball equipment you can provide for your kid? Hint: sorry, but it’s not the bat.
Tags: Children, Education, School, teaching study skills
