Handling Homework

Don't do your child's homework for them! If you allow them to take the easy way out, how will they learn to be independent? When they are small, a certain amount of guidance is necessary but pretty soon every child should be able to complete their homework independently.

The child that can be self reliant and responsible about studying and homework is well on their way to becoming a competent, self assured adult. The same child will probably do well in extracurricular activities as well, not needing constant handholding but remaining secure and self confident in all situations.

Make homework a priority every day after school. If your child needs a small snack when they get home, serve them at the kitchen table - don't let them plop down in front of the television. Make sure they understand that until their homework is finished, anything else has low priority, and stick to it.

When your children are very young, they will need more one on one help at homework time - this does not mean that you do it for them, but simply that you can help steer them in the right direction. Every child learns differently, and sometimes a child and teacher will not be perfectly in tune.

In cases like this you may need to take a more proactive role in teaching your child. Don't give them the answers, just present the problem from another angle; often the same question posed in a different way will cause the light bulb to come on.

With older children encouragement and support is needed more than academic help- offer them a shoulder to lean on when an assignment has them stumped. A sympathetic ear may help them talk their way through the block and resolve the confusion!

Don't nag. This starts a cycle that it is difficult to break. One or two reminders should be more than enough - if they still don't get it done perhaps they need to suffer the consequences. Don't break down at bedtime and let them stay up late to complete work that they had plenty of time for earlier!

Let them know that you expected it to be done, that you provided them with reminders and that it was their responsibility and no-one else's. Getting one bad grade for turning in a paper late is often humiliation enough for them not to risk it again, and the lesson will be learned once and for all.

So how do you make sure that your child is giving their homework the attention it needs? You can help by making sure they have a quiet place to study, and ensuring that they have eaten regularly and healthy throughout the day. A peaceful calm mind and environment is all that is really needed for homework time to have a successful outcome.