How to motivate a second grader?

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Homework is torture for a lot of kids, and especially those with AS. For my AS son, a few issues were involved. First, the page of work was overwhelming. He couldn't see the end to it or figure out to start it. Second, he wanted his life in little boxes: this is school, this is home. Homework blurs the lines of the boxes, and he couldn't accept that. Third, he needs motion to think, and most parents assume the opposite, and try to get their kids to sit still. Fourth, he did not intellectually understand the purpose of it. Fifth, because of issues in his hands, the work actually hurt.

So, it was a battle all through elementary school but, yes, they do mature and learn.

I just don't find it surprising that you have an issue with a 2nd grader. It isn't something to worry about. But, you still have to get through it.

We always worked with our son, and offered rewards for designated sections of completion. We would block off parts of the sheet so that he wouldn't be overwhelmed by the problems he wasn't currently attacking. And timing out the homework helped a lot: once he had worked hard and stayed focused for a designated time period, we signed off the homework, even when it wasn't yet finished (a teacher actually suggested this).

A lot of children don't gain comfort with reading until 3rd grade or so, although my kids did like to be read to. I find it interesting that your daughter isn't interested in the story, either. That could be worth looking into.

Homework is torture for a lot of kids, and especially those with AS. For my AS son, a few issues were involved. First, the page of work was overwhelming. He couldn't see the end to it or figure out to start it. Second, he wanted his life in little boxes: this is school, this is home. Homework blurs the lines of the boxes, and he couldn't accept that. Third, he needs motion to think, and most parents assume the opposite, and try to get their kids to sit still. Fourth, he did not intellectually understand the purpose of it. Fifth, because of issues in his hands, the work actually hurt.

So, it was a battle all through elementary school but, yes, they do mature and learn.

I just don't find it surprising that you have an issue with a 2nd grader. It isn't something to worry about. But, you still have to get through it.

We always worked with our son, and offered rewards for designated sections of completion. We would block off parts of the sheet so that he wouldn't be overwhelmed by the problems he wasn't currently attacking. And timing out the homework helped a lot: once he had worked hard and stayed focused for a designated time period, we signed off the homework, even when it wasn't yet finished (a teacher actually suggested this).

A lot of children don't gain comfort with reading until 3rd grade or so, although my kids did like to be read to. I find it interesting that your daughter isn't interested in the story, either. That could be worth looking into. There could be a word processing issue going on.