How to Help Your Child be Successful with Homework

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By Coach4U
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Homework time doesn't need to be hard

Helping your child with homework is very important; it teaches your child to work independently and helps to reinforce and extend learning done at school. It also helps your child be more responsible, have pride in their work, and gain a good work ethic.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Patience
Commitment
Place for your child to study
Supplies and needed resources

Step 1

Parents are their child's best helper

Everyone wants their child to be a success when doing their homework. There are a few things that you, as a parent can do to help set the stage for success.
Step 2

A quiet place to work is a must have

One of the most important things that you need to do is provide your child with a comfortable, quiet, and well-lit area to do their homework in. The area should be free of distractions from television, video games, telephones, and conversations. The kitchen table works well (before or after dinner time), or if there is a desk available to work at that is good also.
Step 3

Buy extra supplies at the back-to-school sales

The area that you choose for your child to do homework at should have necessary supplies and resources. You will need notebook paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, stapler, colored pencils, pens, and markers. All of these items can be kept in a crate or box for easy access. If the homework place is a desk all of the supplies could be stored there. When you shop the back-to-school sales make sure you pick up extra items for home. It is very helpful for your older children to have a computer with Internet access for researching and writing projects. A good dictionary and thesaurus are handy tools to have.
Step 4

Going back-to-school requires change in routines

Establish a homework routine. Have a specific time for children to sit down and do their work. Make sure that you are available to help them as needed. Sometimes, it works well to have children do their homework right after they get home from school. Other times, after dinner is the best time. Whatever works for your family is good. Make sure that you are available to help your child and monitor the homework. Be sure to look over the homework before your child puts the work away.
Step 5

The whole family can be involved in learning new things

Encourage your child to do the hardest work first and get it out of the way. Allow your child to take a break every 20-30 minutes to stand up and stretch. Show your child some study strategies such as using flash cards to help remember key words, taking notes, or underlining important material (but not in school books).Praise your child for getting the homework done and for doing their best. Set a good example yourself by letting your child see you reading or learning something new. Learning is a life long process for all of us.
Step 6

Last and the most important is to get to know your child's teacher. Teachers are a wonderful source of information and help. Meet with the teacher early in the school year and let them know that you are involved in your child's learning and success at school and home. Feel free to ask questions about school related issues. Homework can be an important way for you to connect with your child.

Comments

jeni10 said

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on 11/6/2009 Another wonderful article on children and education. Well written and very informative. Thanks for sharing how to help your child be successful with homework. 5*