How to Help a Student With Homework

Every student needs help with homework sometimes.

Homework is meant to help students reinforce their daily learning and develop good study habits. As a parent, you want to help your child overcome the challenges, complete their homework, and succeed in school. Helping a student with homework is more than just giving a few hints on an assignment. Your role as a parent is to provide the proper tools and environment to enable your child to complete their homework and the motivation to do so consistently.

Things You'll Need

• Study desk
• Desk lamp
• Paper
• Pencils or pens
• Reference books
• Calendar or planner

Instructions

1. Create a stimulating and well-equipped homework area. Get a desk the right size for your child or use a booster seat if necessary. Ensure adequate lighting and stock all the necessary supplies, tools and reference books. Make sure there are no distractions nearby like television or video games.

2. Set a study schedule and routine. Reserve time each night for studying and make it a regular routine. In the USA, the recommended homework periods are 20 minutes for grades 1 to 3, 20 to 40 minutes for grades 4 to 6, and 2 to 2.5 hours for grade 7 and up. Also allow time for study-related activities such as independent reading or math games.

3. Organize assignments and tasks in a daily planner or calendar. Students in grade 3 or higher should be able to schedule and track their assignments themselves.

4. Discuss short-term targets and long-term goals. For long-term projects, break the assignment into a series shorter tasks that can each be accomplished in one night. Before starting each homework session, agree on the student's targets for the night.

5. Stay nearby, without hovering. Observe your child's study habits and monitor his progress while doing your own work, reading or studying in the same room.

6. Ask before offering help. Children gain a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from completing a difficult task on their own.

7. When your child asks for help, do not complete the assignment for them or simply give instructions. Instead, give examples to illustrate the concept and explain the main ideas in the lesson. Find out if the student is a visual, aural, or kinesthetic learner and use activities that complement his or her learning style.

8. Monitor the student's progress. Check the teacher's marks and comments. Give your child tasks at home reflective of his or her knowledge and ability level, such as helping you calculate the change for a purchase or writing a grocery list.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach your child learning techniques such as proper note-taking, memorization methods, reviewing, highlighting, and critical thinking.

• Consult the student's teacher if you have concerns about the level or amount of homework.

• If you directly help your child to do an assignment, encourage them to be honest with their teacher about it.

• Encourage your child, but don't put too much emphasis on grades. Acknowledge that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and getting good grades is not the only source of personal worth or success. Help your child develop self-confidence in other areas of life as well.

References

• Family Education: The right way to help with homework
• A Parent's Guide to Homework Help: Strategies for homework success
• Healthy Place: Help your child to create homework strategies
• "Contemporary Educational Psychology"; Homework in the Home: How student, family, and parenting-style differences relate to the homework process; Harris Cooper & James Lindsay; 2000