Many parents fight an ongoing battle to get their kids to do their homework. Sadly there is no magic potion to get your kids to magically love doing homework, but there are some helpful study tips that will make homework nights less painful for both kids and parents.
1. Make a homework schedule and let them help with the planning. If they feel their opinions are heard and considered, they’re more likely to stick to the plan. Some kids also work better when there is a schedule to follow. Without a schedule, they may not take doing homework as seriously, thinking, “I can do it later.”
2. Ensure all materials are available. I have a Recollections 10-Drawer Cart from Michael’s and my kids love it. Over the years, I’ve built up quite the arsenal from leftover, unused supplies at the end of the school year. This also helps with time management in the event of the popular “I have a project due tomorrow and I forgot to tell you.”
3. Pick a quiet spot in your home or give them a change of scenery. Taking them to places like coffee shops and letting them pick a drink or snack of their choice, public libraries, or Barnes and Noble where they will see other people working, will encourage them to focus.
4. Turn it into a game. If you’re working with smaller children, you can use Legos to practice counting. With older children, you can practice vocabulary words by asking them to use the word in a sentence while speaking to you. My daughter has a strong aversion to History class, but luckily, my husband is a History buff, so he acts out certain scenes, which helps her get a better feel for the information. It has worked wonders last-minute studying!
5. Praise their work. Ask them to explain the assignment. Not only does this get their minds working, but it also builds their confidence. Some kids don’t like speaking out in class for fear of teasing, but their home is a safer space for them to speak out about what they don’t understand.
Your participation is crucial. Most schools have an online learning management system where parents can keep track of assignments. Be involved and don’t leave them unattended. They will divert their attention to other things. If you aren’t directly working with them (like option 4), sit down with them and read a book, write in a journal, work on to-do lists. Kids love to emulate their parents’ actions, so you are the best starting resource for your child.
