Tips for Helping with Homework
Helping with homework can be overwhelming even on the best of days. Other times, it’s hard to tune back into concepts you learned years ago in order to help your child understand. Worse yet, there may be new concepts you never studied. Fortunately, there are some simple solutions for both your child and yourself that will help you get through it painlessly.
Talk to Their Teacher
Keeping communication open with your child’s teacher will help immensely when it comes to staying up-to-date on homework. It will also let you learn what is expected of them. You should check to see if his school uses a communication program like ClassDojo, Progressbook, etc. These programs allow teachers and parents to stay in touch with one another regarding behavior, homework, and class activities.
Create a Homework Space
Every child needs a good homework space to do their work. Sitting at the kitchen table is fine, but it can offer a lot of distractions. If possible kids should have a desk that will allow them to focus. If you don’t have a lot of space, consider a corner desk – they don’t take up a lot of room in the room.
Make Helping with Homework Fun
Many kids work best when they are having fun at the same time. Allow your child to get away from pencil and paper for a few minutes and get moving. Click here to discover some of the benefits movement breaks can have on focus.
Create a Homework Routine
Routines are essential if you want your child to be successful. It is important that they develop a schedule to which they stick. Once they are doing the same activities every day at the same time, it will be much easier. This will also help them to know what you expect.
Step Back to Help with Homework
It is tempting to step in and help your child as much as possible when they struggle with homework. As a result, you may actually be hindering their progress. Kids need to do the work on their own if they’re going to learn and retain the concepts. So at times, take a step back and let them figure it out on their own.
Helping your child with homework can be overwhelming for both of you but it is easier if you have a good plan in place. Creating a positive learning environment will go a long way toward helping them focus. This means minimizing distractions and encouraging them as much as possible. With good preparation, you and your child can make this school year a success.
This article is written by guest blogger Emily Graham from www.mightymoms.net
