Helping your child with their homework

How can you help your child with their homework?

When families emphasize an importance of homework, achievement quickly improves. If you are interested in helping your child with their homework, it’s a good idea to take a diversity of tactics approach. In general, there are three things to consider: creating an environment where your child does his homework, providing appropriate guidance to your child, and reaching out to others when necessary.

Environment

The primary tactic for helping your child with their homework is setting up a study area. Each child is different, and so when determining how to create an ideal study environment for your child, pay attention to how they study best. Do they prefer to be in the kitchen while dinner is being made? Or do they need to be in a quieter area of the house free of distractions?

Once you’ve determined your child’s ideal study style, make sure to include all the supplies needed. The area your child studies in should be devoted only to that, and he should use it every day at a certain time to establish routine. An upright chair, a desk, and natural light create an ideal start. Add sharpened pencils, paper, a clock, a goal-setting chart and a calendar with the report cards, exam dates and project due dates to the space. Set up an egg timer so that your child can know when 20 minutes is up. Don’t allow your child to use a cell phone timer, as it comes with added distractions.  If it’s necessary, have a computer available, but if not, avoid it. Consider locking the computer so your child can’t browse or have multiple windows open. These can get your child off focus. Keep the area free of food, cell phones, pets, music, ipads, or other distractions.

Guidance

The second tactic is knowing how to guide your child during their homework time. There are several ways you can facilitate a productive study time throughout the school year.  First, make a plan together at the beginning of the year. Refer to the school calendar and all of the expectations within the 9 month time frame. Have your child stay on target throughout.  In addition, take parent teacher meetings and report cards as time where feedback can create goal-setting with your child. Have your child work towards meeting those goals and then provide a simple reward once that happens.

Set a timer for 20 minutes and have your child stop and rub his eyes, get up and stretch or have a drink, and then sit down again. Establish how many 20 minute portions are expected of your child each day; for example if you say your child must complete three 20 minute portions of homework daily, they are required to use any extra time to do additional work such as reading, or memorizing spelling lists, or completing a journal. Stay strict about this routine.

Make sure you always know what homework your child is working on. Look at the homework when it’s complete and give feedback, but never do your child’s homework for him. Ask questions to clarify anything you think he should work on more.

It Takes a Village

Finally, make sure your relationship with your child’s teacher is good. Get the teacher to give you suggestions about how to help your child.  Find out where your child needs improvement.