Often, students are expected to work independently at school and on their homework. That is a great idea for learning if you provide simple guidelines that allow them to be more effective, less frustrated. Here are tips to help your children get more out of homework time:
Helping Your Child with Homework: 5 Tips to Help Kids Get Better Grades
Homework is a key part of the school experience. Not only does homework help students get a better grasp of the lesson, but it also helps teach about responsibility. While it’s always a good idea to also teach kids to be independent and do their homework on their own, there’s no harm in providing some help, especially in lessons or even subjects where your child may have challenges with.
In order to effectively help your child with homework, here are some tips that you should know:
Allot time for homework
Helping your child with homework doesn’t just mean doing the homework for them. The essence of homework is giving your child some form of responsibility so let them take charge in accomplishing their homework.
However, what you can do is to help your child in keeping a homework schedule. This further helps your child learn about time management.
One of the best practices in allotting time for homework is to schedule it before a fun activity such as watching TV or playing, as this helps your child feel rewarded for being able to finish his homework. It is best that you also keep yourself available during this time so that you are there in case he needs guidance from you.
Maintain a conducive learning environment at home for your child
It’s always a good idea to maintain a study room for your child, free from distractions. Or, if a separate room cannot be provided, set a study desk for your child in a part of the room that is not facing things that might distract him while doing his homework.
The idea is to make sure that your child can focus on doing his homework and that he will be away from distractions.
Explain the value or organization
It is a good idea to teach your child that being organized is a good trait to have. This means keeping his study room or desk in order. Not only does this help keep his area conducive for studying and doing his homework, but it will help be an organized person as he grows up.
Another form of organization that you should help your child understand is keeping notes. At a young age, your child can benefit from keeping a planner where he could list the things he needs to do. Doing so will help your child remember homework, but also other key responsibilities in school such as exams. This will help prevent him from forgetting and being unprepared.
Ask questions
It’s a good idea to ask questions every once in a while about your child’s homework. In this way, your child may be able to share what he knows, and that you can build on this knowledge by providing your insights.
It’s also a good idea to let your child ask you questions. There will come a time that your child might not be sure how to do a certain task or how to answer a certain question. And it would be great if your child can ask you questions. When possible, don’t answer directly, but only give hints so your child can still be the one to think of the answer.
If needed, seek help
Not all parents have the luxury of time to help their children with homework. Some hard working parents might not have enough free time to sit down and assist their children with homework on a daily basis.
If that is the case, then it is advisable to seek home tuition services. A tutor can help your child not only with homework, but also with exams.
Your child would benefit from being guided by an adult, and a home tutor can help you and your child.
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Homework is an indispensable part of our life as kids – as students. As adults, we now see the value of having been assigned responsibilities in the form of homework back when we were still in school. Help your children also see the value of their homework, and follow the tips above so that you may be able to effectively do just that.
Great advice as always, Jacqui.
There’s real value to homework but it has to be done right. I like that it extends learning to home so we stop seeing it as a school-based activity. Learning is everywhere!
Everywhere and everywhen!