Whether your kids are in the elementary, middle or high school they’ll be bringing home home work. No student, or parent, is exempt. Home work is actually a good thing, believe it or not. It is given to further the child’s understanding of the subject, and to get parents involved in what their kids are doing at school. As a parent, yes, I help my kids with their homework. Do you? If so, here are five tips that will help homework time to go more smoothly.
1. Decide exactly when homework time will be, and keep it that way. Getting your kids on a home work routine makes a big difference. When a routine is in place kids know what they need to do, and when it needs to be done. Your children will know you expect homework to be done at such and such a time each and every day. They will fall into the routine and there will be no more struggle to get the homework out, started, and done. It works wonders.
2. Set up a homework table, counter, or desk for your children to do their home work at. Having a clean, organized work space to work at helps kids to get things done. Consider using the kitchen table as your homework space if your child doesn’t have room in their room for a desk or small table.
3. Eliminate distractions while your child, or children, are doing their homework. Ask your kids to turn their phones and games off, turn the radio down or the television off, and keep children who don’t have homework to do away from the homework area. Doing these things allows kids to concentrate on what they are doing. Homework will get done faster, and material will be better learned and understood. The work will be done with more quality and detail than it would have been had your child been distracted.
4. Organize the homework space by adding shelves and containers. A simple shelf on the wall near the area made of 1 inch thick, 12 inch wide board and L brackets will hold paper racks, pen and pencil holders, books, and containers full of supplies. Stock pile items such as loose leaf paper, pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, erasers, binders, calculators, index cards, folders, gluesticks, etc. Keep the supplies near where homework is done. You’ll always have extra school supplies to send to school, and everything your child needs to complete homework will be at their fingertips, right where and when they need it.
5. Stay close to your child when they’re doing their homework. Do this in case help is needed. All to often a child who does not know what to do or how to do it will sit quietly and doodle, or wait for someone to notice. If you are right there, paying attention, you’ll notice and will be right there to help when need be. This helps kids to feel supported, and your child’s teachers will be sure to appreciate the time and caring you put into helping your child with their homework, and to understand the material that’s been given. It matters a lot.
These 5 tips and all of this advice will help you to get your kids on a homework routine that’s organized and productive. Don’t search for supplies only to find you don’t have them, and forget about fighting with your kids to get their homework out and done every night. Create this routine and set up your space for a homework time that is rewarding and educational. Thanks for reading and take care!