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How can you make your child’s homework time more productive?
Here’s an idea. Consider setting a minimum amount of time that must be devoted to homework or some other learning activity every school night, for example 30 minutes nightly for a third grader—this practice may stop your child from “forgetting” to bring home assignments or rushing through work carelessly since he knows 30 minutes will be spent on school work. It may also discourage cramming and encourage review of material for tests ahead of time.
More Homework Tips
General Reminders
- Provide a designated, organized area without distractions.
- Encourage your child to do the most difficult homework first. Save “easy” subjects for when he’s tired.
- Have him do the most important assignments first. If time runs out, the priorities will be finished.
- Remind him to do what’s required first. Finish the optional assignments later—even if they’re more fun.
- With assignments that involve memorization, like spelling and vocabulary, give your child practice tests. Have your child say the word or term aloud as he writes them down.
- With math assignments, help your child with a problem similar to, but not one of his own assigned questions. Show how to solve and have the child work examples.
Parent Considerations
- Set a good example yourself during homework time—do some reading or work. Turn the temptation of TV off. Then, when homework is done, you both can talk about how much you’ve accomplished.
- Keep in touch with teachers to be fully aware of the quantity and the quality of homework turned in. If your child says that sloppiness is “okay” with the teacher, talk with the teacher and ask him to work together with your on encouraging your child in good work.
- When setting your beginning and ending time for homework, consider that many kids need to unwind after school before they tackle their homework. And, doing it too close to bedtime may be difficult due to fatigue. Fridays are usually the best day for weekend homework because assignments are still fresh in the mind and last minute panic rushed is avoided.
- Use direct praise for doing the homework and even more for accomplishment. “You’ve spelled 18 out of 20 words correctly—that’s the best you’ve done this month!”
- When children haven’t done their best, make criticism constructive. Instead of telling a third grader, “You aren’t going to turn in that mess, are you?” try, “The teacher will understand your ideas better if you use your best handwriting.”
- Be available when your child is doing homework, so that you can answer a questions if there is confusion, If possible, it is better for you to be in another room, so you are easily accessible but not a distraction.
- Allow bathroom, drink and/or snack breaks, but insist on completion of tasks.
How much should you help your child with homework?
- At a minimum, it’s usually a good idea to check to see that your elementary child has finished his assignments. If your middle school student is having trouble finishing assignments, check his too. If assignments are not getting done satisfactorily, more supervision is needed!
- You may be tempted, but don’t do the work yourself, even if it means a lower grade for your child. You will actually end up hurting your child by doing too much. He will not be able to handle the material independently when tested and lose confidence in his own abilities.
- Encourage your child to divide the homework into assignments of “What I can do myself” and “What I need help with.” Help only with the portion that your child cannot do independently, such as practicing spelling tests and clarifying assignments. This practice builds responsibility and independence in your child.
Should you correct your child’s work?
Unless the teacher has recommended otherwise, your child needs to learn to find his own mistakes, especially in subjects like math or composition. At most, look over the paper and tell the child how many or what type of errors you found. For example, “Joey, on this sheet you have two addition errors.” Let him recheck and locate his mistakes so that eventually he will do this himself! Prepare your child to be successful, self-disciplined, and independent.
What if your child takes too long on homework assignments?
Playing “beat the clock” during homework time. Look over the assignments together and figure out about how long it should take to complete it. Allow a little extra time and set a timer for that many minutes. If he fails to “beat the clock,” it may be that daydreaming or distractions are absorbing more attention than actually doing homework.
It’s worth it!
Meaningful homework can teach children to work independently and can encourage self-discipline and responsibility. Assignments provide kids with their chances to manage time and meet deadlines. As a student gets older and homework becomes more difficult or lengthy, good study habits can be formed that will carry the child through his college years. In addition, students who completed more homework score better in standardized tests and earn better grades, on the average, than students who do less homework. What’s most important though, it that you are willing to take the time and effort to be involved in your child’s education. You are in a unique position to help your child make connections between school work and the “real world,” thereby bringing meaning (and some fun) to your child’s homework experience.
