ABSTRACT
Mention of the word homework to children in therapy frequently elicits groans and subsequent sighs or thoughts of “Do I have to?” Children may be initially resistant to the idea of homework in therapy because they associate homework with school. For children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, homework in the school environment is frequently an issue of concern. The child with behavior problems may have daily struggles with his parents and teachers about school homework compliance. For the anxious child, homework may provoke fears of negative evaluation or concern over the accurate completion of the task. For parents too, the concept of homework tasks to monitor or complete might seem an unacceptable addition to an already busy and overwhelming schedule. Not surprisingly, the inclusion of homework tasks in treatment (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT) for children brings with it a number of obstacles to overcome in order to maintain a positive approach to out-of-session assignments.
