Writing a thesis or dissertation with young children can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. In a fast-moving world like ours, children are expected to make full use of their resources and thinking ability to outperform the rest and be on the top of the ladder always. Teaching children helps you learn things a grown-up cannot possibly teach. Writing a creative thesis with your child would help you to know and understand your child’s thoughts better. Here are some tips to help you manage your time and stay focused:

Define a research topic: 

Though a dissertation seems very exciting and interesting to start with, having a well-defined topic is very important. Without knowing the goal, one cannot achieve it. Make sure you have clarity on what you have begun and where you are doing with the topic, so narrow down your options to a topic that your child and you are comfortable and interested to work on. Remember, no topic is too small or easy to research. Make sure to research well about the topic before you start working on it and have a good amount of knowledge.

Avoid unrealistic goals: 

Encourage the child to start working on the thesis or dissertation as early as possible to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to allow plenty of time for research, writing, and revision. It may take longer to write your thesis or dissertation with children, but that’s okay. Be realistic about your expectations for progress, and don’t beat yourself up if you can’t write as much as you would like in a day. Give it sufficient time and space, and be flexible. Remember to educate your child sufficiently before starting it so you won’t get confused in the latter part. Make the whole process fun and engaging by introducing jokes and funny quotes.

Have a proper skeleton: 

Building a blueprint or skeleton of your thesis makes your work 10 times easier than randomly adding points as per your research to your draft. It is highly recommended you have a baseline picture of how your dissertation would look so you can add thoughts to it further. Have the main headings in place so you can add more subtopics and your findings. Ensure your child gives sufficient input throughout the process.

Stay organized: 

Make a plan for when you will write and stick to it as best you can. This might mean scheduling writing time during weekends, after bedtime, or even early in the morning when the children are most willing. Convincing your child and getting them to work with you at any random time when you feel like working on a dissertation might be hard, so make a timetable and let your child know about it so you can engage together accordingly.

Use technology:

Consider using tools such as speech-to-text software to help you write more efficiently, or take advantage of online writing communities, online tutoring websites, and forums to get feedback and support. Take inputs from your child frequently. Offer books, articles, and other resources to help the child understand the writing process and develop their research skills. Remember, this is more about your child’s ideas and creativity than your thoughts.

Foster independence: 

Encourage the child to take ownership of their work and to make their own decisions about what they want to write about and how they want to present their ideas. Also motivate them to create an outline or plan for their work, including a timeline for completing each section. Remember to explain what a thesis or dissertation is and what is expected of the child, including the format, length, and content requirements. Make sure the child is only getting assisted by you and the thesis is their work.

Take periodic breaks: 

Writing can be a mentally and emotionally draining task, so it’s important and required for you and your child to take breaks and engage in activities that refresh and recharge you. Spending time with your children, going for a walk, or engaging in a hobby can all help you return to writing with renewed energy. Relating your writing to real-life objects or incidents can make your child think clearly about the topics. Engage in focus group studies and other forums to widen your child’s thinking horizon. Let the activity have refreshers in between to not burden and stress the child. Generally, children tend to lose interest or stop doing things that they feel are draining their energy. So be tactful in the process.

Conclusion :

In conclusion, writing a thesis or dissertation with your child can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By working together, you can not only help your child achieve academic success but also strengthen your relationship and develop important skills such as communication, collaboration, and time management. However, it is important to approach the process with patience, understanding, and a willingness to adapt to your child’s unique needs and learning style. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can help your child navigate the complex and often overwhelming process of writing a thesis or dissertation and ultimately achieve their academic and personal goals.