Homework
In most homes, after school or after supper is the time of day when you start the bartering, threatening and often times yelling. Homework can go smoothly in some homes and in others be met with severe resistance.
Homework is often a reality. Most teachers do assign homework in order to reinforce the lessons they teach in class, so as parents we reinforce that it must get done.
There are numerous tips to try and make it happen without all the head bunting, screaming and frustration (sometimes on both parts).
So here’s hoping some of these help out your family.
1. Know what is expected of your child: If the teacher hasn’t explained what needs to be done for homework and you’re not confident in relying solely on your five-, six- or seven-year- old’s explanations, attend school events like the open house to be able to pose any questions you may have. Alternatively, send the teacher a note to discuss it over the phone or in person.
2. Start young: At an early age you can begin encouraging work at home with your child. Perhaps it can start with reading simple readers, or learning the alphabet or numbers, it should be very simple and short.
The sooner children understand that homework is something expected of them nightly, the less likely they will argue (hopefully).
3. Set up a routine: Children are exhausted and done with school when they get home. If possible fit in some free time before they have to do homework. Perhaps they get to play before supper and homework happens after supper – whatever works with your family schedule.
4. Set up a homework friendly area – an area that is well lit, where you can sit (like a desk/table) and stock it with necessities such as a pencil, eraser and paper. Avoid the stalling, like “I need a pencil.”
5. For older children who may have heavier loads of homework help them make a plan. Help them structure their homework time in a way that enables them to get it all done, scheduling in short breaks if need be. This is an amazing skill that they will need throughout their entire school career – so start them young.
6. Keep distractions to a minimum; no TV, music or loud noises. Our biggest issue is younger siblings, if you’re alone and trying to get homework done with younger siblings in tow try having some work for the younger ones to do also, their own workbook or colouring. For toddler-aged children pull out the Playdough so they can still be with you but be busy.
7. Don’t do the work for them. Some children require more think time than others. Even though there may be 100 things to get done in an evening try and be patient in letting them come to answers and conclusions on their own. “Parents can help with the directions and make suggestions, but learning is a kids job,” according to kidshealth.org.
8. Congratulate them on a job well done: post up work for the family to see, allow them to give the good news to grandparents, create a special folder with their best work to keep for the year to pull out when they need a little encouraging!
9. Your job is monitor and motivator. Ask about upcoming assignments, give encouragement and be available for questions and discussion.
I’ve heard of some teachers doing away with homework but it certainly isn’t the norm, so get used to it and enjoy homework free summers. Find a way to work together as a family to make homework work.
Children will learn and excel best if we work as a team with their teacher and school, so it’s best to jump on board and reach for the stars together.
