Homework is usually set by the teacher to reinforce class work and to keep parents happy. The homework sheet should only have work on it that the child can easily complete in 15 -30minutes. If you find your child cannot do the homework, speak to the teacher immediately. Modified homework can be supplied, or the teacher can highlight just the key work for your child, rather than the whole sheet.
I always tell parents that, if homework is causing grief in your home, then go to plan B. You and your child can set your own homework and send this in as the homework activity. (Best to check with the teacher to make sure this is OK).
Tip 1 - Routine
Set aside a regular time for homework each afternoon. Use a clock timer and allow the child to monitor the setting of half an hour to complete the homework. If the homework is not completed in this time check…
- Is it too hard for your child?
- Is your child focussed on the task?
Leave any unfinished homework till the next day. Your child will really appreciate this!
Tip 2 - Guidelines
Write down the guidelines for homework with your child. Ask them, "What do you need to do to get your homework finished?"
List five points. Make sure you include the time, place and neatness in the guidelines. If you both sign it then it becomes a contract….not a sentence!
Check with the teacher before you do this to find out when weekly homework is due, exactly what the homework is (eg homework sheet, daily reading).
Tip 3 - Fuel
Make sure your child has had a fuel or food break prior to starting homework. This snack should ideally include protein such as cheese, yoghurt, nuts ham/salami/chicken. Protein adjusts the sugar levels and provides a stable emotional plateau to work from. Protein drinks can also be included.
Avoid sugary, highly processed biscuits and snack food. This does not help with thinking processes. Have protein around 30minutes prior to starting the homework.
Tip 4 - Water
Water keeps the body and the brain hydrated. Without water our brain cannot work to its full potential. Fizzy drinks, milk or fruit juice are seen as foods by our digestive system. If your child gets stuck while doing their homework ask them to quickly get a drink of water. The water and the walk will start the processing again. Remember they are on timer so they will be keen to get back to start work again.
Tip 5 - Exercise
Exercise of any form is a great way to make kids brainier. Body movement switches the brain on. As we move oxygen and blood carrying food nutrients are moved to the muscles and the brain. This effectively fuels our senses and allows the child to think easier and clearer. Children have been sitting in classrooms all day. They need time to unwind just like us. Play with the dog, ride a bike, swing at the park. Move and be a genius. Exercise before and after homework.
Tip 6 - Television
Turn off all the televisions in the house prior to starting homework session.
This improves the chance of the child concentrating on the task at hand rather than the show on the television. Never have your child sitting in front of the television balancing the homework and wondering why it is taking so long to complete. Soothing music in the background has been proven to improve learning capacity and recall. (Mozart) Some children prefer no background noise as it can be difficult for them to discriminate and think.
Tip 7 - Workspace
When children are working, make sure that the tables and chairs they are using, or bench levels, are at the correct height. Put a box under their feet if they can’t reach the floor and use a double chair height to have the child’s belly button level with the top of the bench/table. Make sure all equipment required is at the workspace including a timer, pencils, paper, scissors, calculator. Make up a little kit of things and leave it safely on the fridge ready for the homework session. If your child wears glasses, make sure they bring them to the workspace. Have water in a bottle ready for drinking. The more responsibility they take for the workspace the more independent they are becoming. Congratulate them.
Tip 8 - Motivation and Praise
Use the above tips to motivate your child to be ready for homework. Praising all independent attempts is a wonderful motivator. Specifically praise your child. Try one of these comments eg.
"I like the way you worked for the full 30 minutes."
"I like the way you had everything ready to start."
"I like the way you were thinking today when you solved that problem."
"I liked your reading today it really sounded like talking."
"I like what you wrote about today you were really thinking well."
If you choose to give a reward at the end of the homework session make it praise or even better some time with you, even ten minutes to complete a fun activity. Most children when given free choice are keen to do an activity with the parent over everything else. You are very popular.
Tip 9 - Prior Knowledge
Ask "What information do you already know to help us work out what to do in this situation, tackle this problem or play this game? Remember you already know how to do X. How could you use this to help you learn this?"
Before doing homework, link any similarities of previous homework through open discussion, so that your child can then discover new strategies, or employ known useful strategies, which will result in success. You need to keep thinking about what you have seen your child doing successfully and remind them of this. Talk through the activity, encouraging discussion about worries and difficulties. Stress around learning really inhibits your ability to work through problems. Listen carefully. Remember this work should just be revision of work from class. Your child should easily be able to use his/her prior knowledge to easily complete the set homework.
Tip 10 - Keep Learning Fun
I remind you to keep learning at home fun. Learning is not only about spelling, reading and maths. Social skills, thinking skills, speaking and listening, games skills and life skills are all part of your family’s learning. Encouraging your child to learn through games is one of the most powerful tools to learning.
Keep the learning interactive, laugh and play. Laughter is the best medicine to reduce stress, and scientists now believe it changes the brain’s chemistry.
If you continually find the homework difficult then talk to the teacher and ask for a modified activity or a game. Games reinforce the material on the homework sheet in a fun way. Snap, bingo, concentration, I spy, all reinforce important learning concepts, mental strategies, social skills and they are fun to do. Kids love learning, kids love games and kids love having fun.
I hope these 10 tips prove to be a positive way to help your child through the homework maze and into the learning cycle where they are eager to be in pursuit of knowledge.
Originally published on Feb 09, 2011
