Set your children up for homework success
School is in full swing; here’s how to help your kids succeed at homework!
Helping children with homework can be challenging and frustrating, even with the parents’ best intentions. It requires careful thought and lots of patience, support and encouragement. Here are some tips on making homework less of a chore.
Set up an optimal learning environment at home
Children learn best in the right learning environment. Ensure that your homework area is well-lit and uncluttered, with adequate required school supplies. Avoid high-traffic locations with excessive distractions, such as television, loud music, phones/tablets and so on.
Schedule homework time
Depending on the age of your child, set aside a reasonable amount of time for homework, so that it can be done in a timely manner. Be mindful of children’s developmental and concentration levels, and schedule homework time when they are not too tired or hungry. Encourage children to take breaks to optimize learning.
Support and encourage your kids
Stay close to children when they are doing their homework and provide assistance when needed. Let them know you are available if they need help and regularly check in with them. However, try not to monitor them too closely, as it might overwhelm and distract them.
Be your child’s best cheerleader, and regularly give them positive encouragement and feedback on their effort. Remind children that what’s most important is that they try their very best and always learn from mistakes. Refrain from immediately helping them or criticizing or shaming them when they make mistakes, get distracted or frustrated with their homework.
Check their homework
Sometimes it is necessary to check your children’s homework and help them complete it. However, it does not mean doing the homework for them. Rather, it is about empowering children with homework tips and strategies, so they can eventually complete their homework on their own.
Resist the temptation to immediately help children when they are stuck. Help them by rephrasing the questions, providing examples and hints, or breaking down the questions or assignment to manageable sections. Alternatively, encourage them to move to the next question or take a break before resuming their homework.
And, if you spot a mistake, give them hints and opportunities for them to figure out the mistake on their own.
Seeking tutoring support
Seek help from teachers or tutors if your kids require extra help that is beyond your ability. Start with working with classroom teachers to see if they can provide any tips, suggestions or extra help.
If more help is needed, you can look into hiring a private tutor or tutoring agency. Consider the hourly fee, teaching style, experience and how the tutor can bring out your child’s best.
Helping children with their homework requires lots of patience. Every child is different, with his or her own learning style, strengths and needs, and personality. The best way to help children with their homework is to appreciate and support their uniqueness to bring out their best academic self.