ASSISTING WITH HOMEWORK
Assisting With Homework
Getting your child to do their homework can be very frustrating for both you and your child. Children have been in school all day and they want to relax, play, and do a number of things that are far more exciting than sitting down and doing their homework. No amount of yelling, threatening, or bribing seems to work. Homework is a necessary part of your child’s life this article will give you tips on making the homework experience more productive and less frustrating for both you and your child.
WHY IS HOMEWORK IMPORTANT
Instead of thinking about homework as “busy work” for your child, it is important to realize that homework accomplishes many goals helping you child to develop valuable skills they will need as adults.
RESPONSIBILITY
It teaches your child how to handle responsibility. Your child has to think about what books or papers they need to bring home to complete an assignment. They need to be responsible to not only complete the assignment but to bring it back and turn it in at the appropriate time.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Children naturally want to play after a full day of scheduled learning at school. Give your child the opportunity to choose when they would like to do homework. Some children may want to sit right down and get their homework out of the way so they can relax and play. Others need some play time and prefer to do their homework after dinner. You can help your child manage their time by encouraging them to examine what assignments need to be completed by the next day and estimating how much time they need to complete them. You may need to set limits to the choices of homework time that you give your child. Do not allow your child to procrastinate and put off doing their homework until bedtime.
Often your children are given projects and book reports that are due at some future date. Encourage your child to schedule the steps your child must take to complete the assignment. Reading, research, building, or completing a craft take time. Break the project down into parts and schedule with your child when each part should be completed. Schedule a reading time each week so the child can complete the book they are assigned to read. Teaching your child time management skills will be something they will use all their life.
HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
Learning to follow directions is necessary life skills that your child needs to develop. Most homework assignment come with instructions. It can be something as simple as “write your name at the top of each page”, or it can be list instructions on how a project or book reports must be formatted. Following direction on homework assignments teaches the child that there are consequences when directions are not followed. As they grow into adults, the consequences can mean the difference between keeping their job or losing it. They must learn to follow direction to keep healthy and safe. Homework teaches them this important life skill.
ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS
Children learn very quickly that their teachers are not happy when they forget to do their homework, or forget to bring in a project on the due date. All our life we accept good or bad consequences to the choices we make. Homework helps a child realize their choices will definitely be reflected on how well they succeed. When they work hard at an assignment they are rewarded with a good grade, sticker, or other form of recognition. However if they fail to carry out an assignment, they may lose a privilege, get a bad grade, or receive negative feedback. Children also learn the satisfaction of completing a task.
In addition homework helps your child to practice skills and concepts learned during the day at school, such as math problems and spelling words. Homework may add to the knowledge the teacher did not have time to go into in detail, such as science reports and book reports. It also teaches your child how to do research and learn on their own.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
SCHEDULE
As we discussed, help your child make a schedule on when homework will be done. Stick to the schedule. Children need structure, and routines are a part of their lives. Even though they may not want to do their homework they will be less apt to argue when they know this is a predictable part of their daily schedule.
CREATE A HOMEWORK ENVIRONMENT
Have a place for your child to do their homework. You should be nearby in case the child has a question, but do not do the work for them. Make sure your child has all the supplies they need to successfully do their homework. For example, you may want to have a basket or box with scissors, glue, pencils, pens, markers, dictionary, ruler, paper, etc.
Today many assignments as done on a laptop or computer. If your computer is located on a desk or other work space, make sure it is clear of distractions and your child can work undistracted on their assignment. It is always a good idea to have your child work on a computer in the same room as you are, so that you can monitor their computer use.
If you have younger children who may be distracting the school age child, put together a “study time box” for them as well. It can include color books, paper, markers, preschool activity books, etc. Take that box out so that they can quietly work on projects along side of their older sibling.
HELP THE CHILD GET STARTED
Some children get overwhelmed when they have multiple tasks to accomplish. Help them break down their assignments into small steps. For example: Take the first subject, help them determine the first step they must take to begin. Once they have begun, encourage them as they complete each task. By breaking down all their assignments into small steps you are giving him the opportunity to gain satisfaction and self esteem as he accomplishes each task.
KNOW YOUR CHILD
If your child starts to become frustrated, distracted, or tired, suggest a break. Stretching, a snack, or a brief change in scenery can help a child refocus.
When you work with your child to make establish homework routines and stick to them, you will make homework a more productive experience for you and your child.