Double down on doubling up!

If you’ve ever wondered how your child can spend hours on homework but get very little done, you’re not alone. For students who grapple with executive function challenges like maintaining attention, initiating tasks, and following through on work, “body doubling” may be the productivity hack that could make all the difference!

Body Doubling is a strategy that capitalizes on the psychological effect of having someone around you while you work. The idea is simply that by leveraging the presence of another person, you create an environment that is motivating and encourages productivity and accountability. And the nice thing about it, the other person can (and should) be engaged in their own work! It’s a supportive presence without interaction. 

Here are some ways it can help: 

Reduces distractions: Having someone nearby can help you resist the urge to check your phone, hop on TikTok, or browse the web.

Boosts accountability: Knowing someone else is watching can motivate you to stay on track and avoid procrastination.

Increases focus: The silent presence of another person can act as a subtle cue to keep your attention on the task at hand.

Provides social support: Working alongside someone can feel less isolating and offer encouragement, especially if you’re tackling a challenging task.

Body doubling may be just the thing your child needs to help them be more efficient and productive while doing their homework. If it works, it will also help them earn back time to do the things they enjoy even more than homework!