Published April 2, 2024
It’s probably safe to say homework was not your favorite thing growing up. So, it’s probably not your favorite thing right now. But helping your kids with homework can end up having a huge and positive impact on them. Students with involved parents tend to have better attendance, better performance, and better behavior—all of which set them up for a better future. So, here’s how to help your kids absolutely nail their homework.
1. Understand the Expectation
You’ll want to gain an understanding of their assignments, so you can start to hold them accountable. Are your child’s assignments posted online? Do they get sent home with paperwork? Is there a different way you can stay in the loop? Try to get a sense for what’s due, when it’s due, and what the final product should look like. That way, you can make sure that you’re coaching them in the right direction.
2. Teach Them Project Management Skills
Get your kids a fun calendar (or have them make one) to keep track of deadlines. Do they have a large assignment? Help them break it into smaller chunks. Do they review their own work? Teach them how to double-check their homework, do a little quality control, and catch mistakes before their teacher does. These are project management skills that your kids can use for life.
3. Help Them Find Their “Why”
Do your kids have a dream? Do they have a passion? Do they have a role model? A good education can get your kids one step closer to their dreams. Try to connect the dots between homework, school, and wherever they want to be in the future.
4. Encourage Them to Exercise Beforehand
Your kids might find it hard to start homework right after school. So, invite them to take a break and get some exercise. Twenty minutes of exercise can improve your child’s memory, mood, and concentration. Encourage your kids to get their heart rate up before they buckle down.
5. Encourage Them to Meditate Beforehand
Just like exercise prepares your kids physically, meditation prepares them mentally. According to Healthy Children.org, meditation “calms the nervous system and decreases stress hormones.” It also helps them relax and focus. So, help your kids get the most out of their homework session by getting them into the right mindset.
6. Get on a Schedule
We all have things we plan to do whenever we have time. But that time never seems to roll around. That’s why it’s so important to get on a homework schedule. You don’t want to wait until late at night. But you also don’t want to schedule it right after school. Find a time that works for you and make sure you stick with it every day.
7. Create A Dedicated Homework Space
One of the biggest ways you can help your kids is by eliminating distractions. So, give them a quiet, dedicated space to do their homework. And if it’s hard to create a quiet space, that’s okay. Try to drown out the background noise with headphones or white noise.
8. Teach Them How to Be Resourceful
You want to help your kids with their homework, but you don’t want to do it for them. Spoon-feeding them the answers is just another way of holding them back—they’ll never learn the lessons they’re supposed to be learning. So, when they get stuck on something, teach them how to be resourceful. Can they review their notes from class or the teacher’s handouts? Does their textbook explain more? Is there a tutorial they can watch online? You won’t always be there to help your kids, but you can teach them how to help themselves.
9. Work Alongside Them
If you want your kids to do their homework, try to lead by example and do something equally productive while they’re working. Maybe you can sit next to them and pay bills or read a book. If everyone else is getting down to business, then they’re more likely to do the same. But if the people around them are watching TV or doing something else fun, they might feel like they’re missing out.
10. Schedule a Few Breaks
When your kids are glued to the kitchen table, it might feel like they’re getting more done. But are they? Cornell University explains that a short break can actually make your kids more productive. So, if they have a lot of homework, schedule a few short breaks to help them refocus and increase their productivity.
As educators, one of the most common questions we get from parents is “how can we help from home?” You can start by helping out with homework. Make sure you understand your kids’ assignments, schedule a dedicated homework time, and teach your kids how to be resourceful. Because you can’t do their homework for them, but you can definitely set them up for success.
Tags: homework help, homework tips, parent involvement, parent tips