Homework Tips

By: NA

Teachers at every grade level are now assigning more homework than they used to. In some communities, even children in kindergarten or first grade may be expected to do an hour or so of homework a night. High school students may have three or four hours of homework a night, and more work on the weekends.

Homework is an important part of every child’s education. It teaches responsibility as well as how to follow directions, manage time, begin and complete a task, and practice what’s been learned in class. It teaches children how to work independently and be resourceful. Developing responsible homework habits comes gradually for most children. How much help you give your child with homework will depend on his or her age and the homework task. A third-grader, for example, usually needs help planning a school project. You may need to walk him through each step and monitor the work. Some children work independently and need very little help from parents with homework. But most children need some support. They need help learning how to organize their work, getting started or completing their work, and knowing what to do when they reach a roadblock. All children need encouragement, too. Experts agree that parental involvement is key when it comes to homework. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to help your child with homework:

• Make it clear that homework is a priority and that you are serious about its importance. You might say to your child, “I need to see that you are working on that science report in advance, not just the day before it’s due.” “I need to look at your work and see that it’s done carefully.” Repeat these messages frequently with each child in your family.

• Tell your child, “Ask for help if you get stuck or don’t understand the homework.” Say, “It’s your job to ask for help. If I can’t help you, I’ll find someone who can—whether it’s the teacher, a friend, or a neighbor.” Remind your child that it’s OK to make mistakes. That’s the way we learn.

• If your child is in elementary school or middle school, meet with the teacher at the beginning of the school year and ask about homework. How much time should your child be spending on homework? Are there regularly scheduled tests? It’s helpful to know, for instance, that the math teacher gives a quiz every Friday. This way you can help your child prepare.

• Find out the best way to get in touch with the teacher if you have a question about homework. Can you call? Drop by at a certain time? Many schools now have a homework hot line or Web site where homework assignments are posted or listed daily. Ask the teacher if this is available at your school.

• Ask the teacher how your child can get help with homework. Many teachers are willing to give extra help and support before or after class and can also recommend where to get tutoring if your child needs it.

• Make every effort to have your home be a good place for learning. Some children say they can study effectively with the television, radio, stereo, or headphones on. But in fact, this can make it very hard for your child to concentrate, especially if the work is difficult or challenging. If possible, set up a homework station far enough away from your family’s television that your child will not be distracted by it. Or just make it family policy not to turn on the television until homework is completed.

• Have homework supplies on hand at home. Make sure your child has paper, pencils, a dictionary, a calculator, and good light to read by throughout the school year. You can make life easier by also having special supplies on hand, like poster board, markers, and glue. That way your child won’t get stuck the night before a big project is due.

• Be sure your child has an assignment book. Look for an assignment book that lists the days of the week, with spaces for each class period to note assignments. These are available at drug, office supply, and stationery stores. Many schools now require a specific type of assignment book. If the school doesn’t supply an assignment book, it’s best to ask the teacher before going out to buy one.

• Help your child develop a homework routine. Children need time to unwind after school. They need time to play with friends, participate in extracurricular activities, and relax before they settle down to work and study. But children also need consistency and a routine time each day for doing homework. Stop and think about what goes on in your household after school. What time does everyone get home? Is your child too tired to do schoolwork in the evening? Does she have more energy before dinner? Talk with your child and reach an agreement about when and where he or she will do homework. The time may change from day to day, depending on your child’s schedule. Keep in mind that your right time to do homework may not be your child’s right time.

• Help your child get started. Encourage your child to take a few minutes every day, before he starts his homework, to go over all of his assignments and decide which need his attention first. With a younger child, you might read the assignments together to make sure he understands them. Then ask how long he thinks each part will take. Help older children break a heavy homework load into manageable parts so they don’t feel overwhelmed. You may not always be able to control when your child finishes his homework. But you can help him get started by giving him reminders and making him aware of the time.