Homework can turn into a hassle in any household. The following tips may help your family tackle homework time more effectively:
- Scheduling - It is best to have your child do his/her homework at the same time every day. Assigning a specific time to homework gives it the same importance as meal time or bedtime. This lets children know that Mom and Dad think homework is important. Pick a time that works best for your family’s schedule. Maybe your child needs to play and burn off energy directly after school and then tackle homework. Or maybe, your child will focus better after a snack and quiet time. Whatever time your family picks is great, just try to stick with it.
- Parental Presence - Sitting down with your child to tackle homework is always a great idea. If your child is young or struggling in a certain area, a parent’s help is just the right thing to facilitate learning. Actively engaging your child by asking them questions and having them “teach” you about their math assignment or science vocabulary is a great review tool. For older children, simply asking them to do their homework at the kitchen table while you cook dinner is a good way to be involved in their learning.
- Divide and Conquer - Staring at a list of homework assignments or long list of vocabulary words can be intimidating for some children. Help your overwhelmed student divide their assignments or list of words into smaller chunks. Then allow him or her to complete a portion of the work, take a break and then return to their homework. A simple 5 minutes play break can make a huge difference in a child’s attitude towards completing their homework.