How to survive homework - A Parent's Survival Guide

The baby years were tough, but enjoyable. Now your baby started school. The first year is a breeze, and then it hits! Homework! I am going to give you a few tips to make homework not be so horrible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A snack ready before the child comes home.
• A plan
• Patience

1. Get a routine! It's always very important to put you and your child on a schedule and stick to it as best you can. Children do better with structure. School, snack, homework, play, dinner, snack, tv, brush teeth, story (self readers can read), bedtime. Whatever works best for you and your family.

2. Always give your child a nutritional snack. Your child probably hasn't eaten in a few hours, and school is just hard work! This will also help your child to be refreshed and ready to work.

3. Provide a quiet place with little distraction. Make sure there is proper lighting, and any supplies that your child may need. It is good to have pencils, pencil sharpener, glue sticks, crayons, and scissors. A younger child may need you more to help when they do their homework, but even though you want to start dinner, it's not a great spot for the child to be in the middle of people coming in and out, noise from tv's, or the phone ringing.

4. 

   If your child is ages 5-7, help him/her to get started. Remind him/her to get their book bag and check out their homework. Get them used to doing it the same way everyday and you will see you will have less work with them as they get older. Teaching good homework and study skills starts now.

5. Always check over their homework, but do not do it for them. If they need help, work with them on a few until they get it. If they only have a few, create your own so that your not doing all their homework for them. Keep an eye on their strength and weaknesses so that you can help your child in the areas they are weak.

Tips & Warnings

• Nutritional snacks consist of carrot sticks, raisins, nuts, apples, oranges, etc.
• Being strict with your schedule will help your child feel comfortable. If your child has something to do like sports during the week on Tuesdays.. Then just do everything on Tuesdays after the sport. Snack may be changed to dinner.
• Never make homework a punishment or a BAD thing. Stay positive and as your child grows they will continue to be positive during homework time. Encouragement and praise is very important! If you make it a negative thing, everyday during homework time will be a nightmare!

[ceholmes]

on 7/3/2009 Love the advice! Staying on schedule will help you survive homework! Nutritional snacks are key too!

[familyhomework]

on 4/7/2009 The best thing you can do is figure out your child's Homework Personality. The quiz helps you understand the best way to support their learning and studying style. Every child is different; there is no one "right" way to make homework work!

[1kimmi]

on 12/14/2008 I totally agree with this article! 5*

[agille]

on 12/9/2008 This is a great article, thanks for sharing. I often struggle with my third grader, but we're both getting better; a routine definitely helps!

[Kathymcbain]

on 12/1/2008 Good advice on helping but not doing it for them...I got into that habit with my oldest and boy am I sorry!!