Here are five simple ways to successfully accomplish homework with your children.

1) Routine

Talk with your child to determine a precise moment during the day to do his/her homework. The chosen time must be respected throughout the school year. Having a schedule creates a routine or established work habits that your youngster will follow all through the school year. Try identifying the moment of the day when your child’s concentration level is at its peak. For some children, that moment is immediately after school when the new information is still fresh in their mind. Conversely, other children feel the need to clear their head before getting back to homework. In addition, the parent in charge of homework will have to check if the chosen time fits with his/her free time. Refer to the schedule as much as possible and hang it in a place where your child can see it.

2) Homework corner

Establish a tranquil place free of distractions (television, video games, computer, etc.) and of family members coming and going. If your child is young (7 to 8 years old), it is preferable to install his studying space near your own activities (the living room or kitchen). If your child is older (9 to 17 years old), he/she can study in his/her own room. It is crucial that each child has his/her own space for homework. Your child has to understand that the homework corner is not a playroom, but rather a place suited for concentration. With time, your little student will develop good studying habits. Lastly, make sure the work surface is large enough to put all of his/her school material, it is clean and that the table is at the right level with adequate lighting.

Idea

Free a cupboard, a drawer or a shelf to allow your child to place his/her homework kit; pencils, erasers, dictionary, ruler, etc. This will save precious time every night when doing homework.

3) Get settled

Give your child time to get settled before starting his/her homework. You child needs 5 to 10 minutes to empty his/her backpack take a look at his/her homework sheet or agenda and finally get organized. Once your child has had the time to do so, you can sit down with him/her and take a look at the homework assignments (take a look at the autonomy chart below). This is when the scheduled homework time begins.

Idea

Create a basket where your child can put the papers that have to be signed by parents. This should be his/her responsibility.

4) Autonomy

Supervising your child’s homework does not mean sitting by his/her side all the time. In fact, it is important to stimulate your child’s sense of autonomy in order for him/her to become a responsible student. While your child is doing homework, start a task of your own or else, your child will expect you to be by his/her side all the time.

Take a look at the degree of autonomy expected, according to the school level;

  • 1st and 2nd year; direct help, reading the instructions
  • 3rd year; supervision
  • 4th, 5th and 6th year; light supervision
  • High school; weekly supervision, direct help for individual projects
What not to do
  • Emptying the school bag yourself. It may be quicker, but your child will not develop any autonomy.
  • Correcting the mistakes will only be detrimental to your child. The teacher uses the homework to evaluate your child’s understanding of the subject.
  • Doing your child’s homework is signing yourself up for very unpleasant moments in the long run.
5) Encouragement

Take time to congratulate your child’s successes and trials and help him/her build his/her self-esteem. The simple act of being available demonstrates your interest in your child’s school life.

Solutions to some problems

Refusal to do homework

Some children strictly refuse to start their homework, explaining that the homework was completed at school or that their teacher has given them an evening off from homework. The next day, new excuses will be fed to the school teacher. Beware of manipulation!

Solutions
  • Demand to see the completed homework yourself.
  • Consult the homework sheet or agenda
  • Contact the teacher if the problem persists
  • If your child’s opposition persists, use your parental authority. Do not give it.
Your child forgot his/her homework or books at school
This is often another popular excuse not to do homework.

Solutions
  • If your child is young, use a checklist as a tool to remember what to bring home from school.
  • Demand that your child still spends the scheduled time in his/her homework corner and spend time reading or practising math. Your little one will quickly understand that time passes much more rapidly when doing homework and that he/she cannot use this time to play.
  • Contact your child’s teacher if the problem persists.
Finally, do not delegate this responsibility that is part of your role as a parent. You will find it helpful to become part of the team with the school staff and supervise your child’s homework time to help him/her become a responsible student. Use these five rules wisely and your child will slowly but surely develop great working habits. You may even turn these sometimes trying moments into bonding time with your child.

Lastly, some Quebec schools offer conferences on different strategies and tools to help your children with homework. These conferences include 3 to 4 meetings with your child where you can practice different techniques and receive feedback on how you are doing. If you have the chance to participate, do not hesitate to do so!

To read more articles from Motherforlife website, please visit Motherforlife.com.