Homework time can be tough for both the child and the parents. Most kids suffer from homework overload and dealing with these hassles has never been pleasant. If your evenings begin with struggling, nagging and arguing with your kids to get them do their homework then you will surely find the following tips helpful.
1. Motivate your child
Your child needs to know that you think homework is important and you’re concerned about him doing it right. Always encourage your child and let him know that you think him to be capable enough to complete his assignments on time. Involve him in learning activities such as reading a book, visiting the library or the museum in his free-time. Try to be in the same room when your kid is working on his assignments in case he has questions. Stay positive at all times and don’t show even the slightest signs of frustration in front of him. If you are at work, call home and ask your kid about his homework.
2. Develop a specific time for homework
Setting a regular time for your kid to do his homework will make him more inclined to complete assignments on time. A good schedule would depend on your kid’s age and individual needs. Pick a time that works best for you and your child and make sure that it allows enough time for both studying and playing.
3. Provide a quiet and well-lit space
The homework area for your kid should have lots of light, be relatively quiet and free from clutter and distractions. The study area doesn’t necessary have to be a fancy one, the kitchen table or the living room corner will work just fine. However, don’t allow the TV or Radio be turned on while your kid does his homework.
4. Schedule breaks
Different kids have different attention spans. Most kids cannot concentrate for long periods of time. Don’t hesitate to give your child a break when he asks for one. If he is struggling with his assignments, taking a break would actually help him calm down and try again after sometime in a better frame of mind.
5. Allow time for after-school activities
After a long day at school, kids need time to relax before they start with their homework. Maintaining a healthy balance between studies and playtime will only help your child to perform better.
6. Communicate with your kid’s teacher
Share your concerns with your kid’s teacher and let her know if your kid is having difficulties in doing his homework. Talking to your kid’s teacher on a regular basis will help you understand the assignments better so that you can help your kid more with them. Also, when the child gets unified support from both his parents and teachers, he is motivated to perform better.
7. Praise your kid on good work
Kids need to be appreciated for doing a good job. Don’t forget to encourage your kid’s hard work with praises and rewards which can go a long way in building his confidence and healthy study habits.
8. Help out
Remember your job is to help your kid with his doubts and confusions and not to complete the homework for him. If you do that, you are sending him the message that he is not capable enough to complete his assignments on his own and that it is alright to take credit for a work done by someone else. Don’t provide him all the answers he needs. Instead try asking him logical questions that would let him see the problem from the correct perspective.
9. Break down the assignment into small steps
Your kid may get overwhelmed with the huge amount of homework that he has to do. Help him break the assignment down into smaller, manageable parts and plan accordingly to take up each part one by one. Help your kid stay organized by handing him a calendar or a notebook to keep track of work that needs to be completed and to plan ahead so that the whole assignment is not left for the last minute.
