How Parents Can Help Children with Homework

Parental involvement in a child's education is essential in ensuring academic success. Having been in education for close to a decade, I have seen firsthand the difference it makes when a parent or a guardian is active in promoting healthy study habits. In special education training, we were advised against assigning homework that was above the level that a student could do independently because many parents either aren't involved or are otherwise unable to be of much assistance. However, even if parents don't have a great deal of knowledge about the assigned subject matter, there are still things they can do to make homework time more effective and less stressful for themselves and their children.

Have an open line of communication with teachers. Know what your child is studying in school and what the teacher's expectations are for homework and tests. For example, are there weekly spelling lists or regular current events assignments due? How often does the student have tests or quizzes? Knowing these things will come in handy when helping your child organize his or her study time. Give the teacher your email address and ask him or her to let you know about any upcoming projects.

Devote time for study daily. Even when there isn't any written homework, students should study each subject regularly. I recommend that parents set aside time each afternoon or evening for homework and studying, even when the student claims not to have homework. Homework is designed to reinforce previously taught material because repetition leads to retention. There's truth to the saying, "Practice makes perfect." When your child insists there is no homework, they could use that time to read, practice spelling words, or study notes and text.

Provide a clean, quiet place for homework. The area where homework is done should be as free from clutter and distractions as possible, which means the coffee table in front of the television set (while it's on) is a bad idea. Make sure there's enough light in the area and that the child has access to everything he or she needs, such as pencils, a dictionary, and erasers. Also, don't hover over the child while he or she is working. Be available if help is needed and monitor to make sure progress is being made, but allow them the independence to develop study skills.

Time management is important. Waiting until just before bedtime to start on homework isn't recommended, as the student will be too tired to put forth his or her best effort then. Some children will be more focused just after getting home and some will need to wait an hour or so before tackling homework. Know your child and what works best for her or him. Many children respond better to completing subjects that they have difficulty with first and working on "easier" assignments afterwards. If a child is becoming too frustrated with an assignment, it's acceptable to give them a short break so that they don't "shut down" completely.

Don't do the homework yourself!: I have had homework assignments turned in that were obviously done by the parent. Even if your child refuses to do the assignment, you're not helping him or her by giving the answers or even writing them down yourself. Not only is the child completely missing the reinforcement of the material, he or she is going to think that if they throw a tantrum or have a "don't care" attitude that someone else is going to do the work for them.

Positive reinforcement is a great motivational tool for children. Hard work and effort should be somehow rewarded, whether it's with verbal praise or something like extra time doing an activity they enjoy. Students stand to gain a great deal from completing homework exercises, like developing study skills habits and increasing knowledge of the subjects they are studying in class. With some of these tips, homework can be less painful for children and parents!