Homework — How do we get it all done and stay sane? Is it impossible? Maybe not, check out these tips on how to assist your children with homework. Fingers crossed this helps in some homes.
First, get their space ready:
1. Set up a well-lit homework space. Keep it organized and stocked for homework time. Have paper, pencils, erasers, markers, rulers, dictionaries, etc.
2. Set up a routine, whether it’s before or after supper and keep it consistent so that each day your child knows when they are expected to get homework done. If it’s right after school, most kids work better after a snack.
3. Keep distractions to a minimum. This is so hard with younger siblings. If this is the case in your home, try to have an activity planned for the younger children that does not require much assistance and that is not too loud. Playdough, colouring and reading are simple examples.
4. Time management — This is an important life skill that children start learning in elementary school. On nights with a heavy workload, help them develop a plan. What needs to be done the next day? How can you break apart projects to be able to do a little bit each day? Help them figure it out so they can break it down on their own in the future.

5. Next and very importantly, be in touch with school and teachers.
Know what the teachers are asking of you and your child. Talk to your child’s teacher at Meet the Teacher night and at parent-teacher interviews about what homework policies are and what is expected of your child? Do teachers expect students to do homework with little to no assistance, or are they counting on your help? Ask your child about what the teacher has told them or send teachers a note.
6. Make sure kids do their own work. This is a tricky one. Often we feel the urge to prevent mistakes for our child. We want them to succeed. However, in order for them to succeed they need to figure it out for themselves. Of course we need to question their choices, give them a direction when there isn’t one and listen to their reasoning. We have to remember that making mistakes is learning!
7. Be a monitor and motivator. Be available for questions and concerns, ask questions about tests, quizzes, projects and keep them on task if needed. Encourage them, encourage them, encourage them! Remind them of successes once they’ve forgotten, keep them positive by being positive. If you give up, so will they.
8. Contact the school. When all else fails and there is continued problems with homework, send a note, make a call or talk face to face with a teacher. Let them know your concerns.
All families are busy, all parents and kids are tired but homework needs doing. Together, as a family you need to figure out how to get it done. Maybe that means re-assessing your weekly schedules, cutting back on extracurricular programs or cutting homework time into two chunks. Whatever the case you have to figure out how to make it work as a family. Good luck.
The Western Quebec Literacy Council and The Parents’ Voice Shawville have teamed up to offer a Homework Workshop for Parents. We are offering this workshop at McDowell Elementary school in Shawville on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 pm. The workshop is free and you need not register, simply show up. This discussion will look at developing qualities of persistence and independence in children that are essential to the completion of homework. For some children with learning difficulties, homework can be particularly troublesome. This workshop will suggest ways that parents can help children who have reading, writing, mathematical or organizational difficulties cope with their homework assignments.

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