Helping children learn and practice homework routines can be an important part of both early and long-term school success. Since homework often begins as early as kindergarten, establishing organized and effective routines is important. Here are some tips for establishing stress-free homework routines that work.
- Use a homework calendar or planner. Families are busy with multiple activities and obligations each week. Keeping track of homework assignments and due dates can be challenging amidst soccer practice, gymnastics, and shopping for dinner. Therefore, using a homework planner can teach early organization skills and help make sure assignments get done on time. Using a planner can also reduce instances of trying to finish homework at the last minute, which is stressful and anxiety provoking for everyone. For great recommendations about calendars and planners, talk with your child’s teacher. Schools often have planners and can help families learn how to use them.
- Pick a homework area with as few distractions as possible. Completing homework requires a child to concentrate and pay attention, definitely not easy to do when there are lots of distractions around. Children are most successful with homework when as many distractions are removed as possible, increasing their ability to focus and problem-solve. Try to create a homework space that is quiet, well lit, and stocked with important supplies such as pencils, erasers, and paper. Creating this space together with your child can help make it fun and personal.
- Set a homework time each day and stick to it. The best time to work on homework is whenever works well for you and your child. Some families do homework first thing in the morning, some after dinner, and some right after school. If you notice your child struggles to concentrate on homework right after school, try providing some break time and doing homework a little later. The most important thing is your child knows the expectation is that a little homework will be completed each day.
- Break large assignments into smaller pieces. If your child gets overwhelmed by homework, it can help to break assignments into more manageable parts. For example, you can use a blank piece of paper to cover up all but five problems at a time. When your child finishes these five problems, he can take a quick break. You can also try setting a timer for 10 minutes. For every 10 minutes your child focuses on homework, he can take a quick break.
- Focus on educational activities each day. Even if your child doesn’t have any homework, it can be helpful to spend their homework time focusing on educational activities. This both keeps the routine predictable and consistent for your child and gives extra practice with skills important to school success. Your child can read a book, play an educational game, or work on an ongoing project. If you know your child finds math challenging, have him play some math games. Additionally, you can work together with your child to find academic activities he finds fun and engaging.
- Make sure your child’s homework gets back to school. Parents often work hard to help their child complete homework, only to find out the homework isn’t making its way back to the teacher. This is frustrating for everyone. Therefore, it can be helpful to make putting homework in its proper folder and then the folder into your child’s backpack a built in part of the daily homework routine. Not only does this help ensure homework gets back to school, but teaches important organization skills for the future.
- Be available to assist with homework when needed. When possible, be available to answer questions and help your child with challenging assignments. Having your support can help your child feel less frustrated and more successful. Also, take time to check over your child’s homework to make sure it is complete. The goal isn’t perfection; however, you can use this time to recognize effort and teach important skills like paying attention to details and following directions.
- Reward your child’s effort on homework. A little bit of parental encouragement can go a long way toward motivating children to sticking with the homework routine, even when the work gets difficult. You might consider telling your child: “Thanks for sticking with your homework. I’m so impressed by your ability to stick with things” or “What a great job you did focusing on your homework today! Nice work!” If your child struggles with homework, you might consider setting up an incentive system or offer daily privileges such as video game, television, or play time.
- Talk to your child’s teacher about homework concerns and struggles. If you notice your child is consistently struggling with homework or does not understand how to complete her assignments, it can often be helpful to communicate with her teacher. This might include sending an email, making a phone call, or scheduling a conference. Your child’s teacher can offer insight about her academic strengths and challenges, as well as offer tips about supporting successful homework routines.
Helping your child learn and maintain good homework habits early sets him or her up for long-term school success. It can also teach important organization, time management, and responsibility skills that extend well beyond the classroom.
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