Following up on my last blog post, How To Structure A Homework Timetable: https://www.chamatuition.com/post/how-to-structure-a-homework-timetable
Now you have got through that hurdle of planning your homework routine, it's time to help your child adopt healthy habits when completing their homework. But we all know that sometimes it can be a challenge to find the time to give that support to our children.
But this support can make a massive difference!
Reasons Why It Is So Important To Help Your Child With Homework
- We cannot always rely on the teacher or tutor
We all know that it is the teacher or tutor's job to ensure that they accurately monitor your child's progress. But this comes with also support from the parent.
A child's core influence starts at home and their social surroundings, so if they are not getting that support and monitoring their work at home, then they can either sink under the radar or fail to reach their full potential.
It's is called homework for a reason, and this requires a lot of practice, which they may not get the chance to do in their lessons.
- Reduces anxiety for you and your child
Your child may be reluctant to do homework because of various reasons, and this could include; they are not too sure what they need to do or they can't be bothered to do it.
Or they are scared to make a mistake which can increase their anxiety even more. Even you as the parent might have anxiety because you are receiving another disappointing phone call from their teacher stating, they have failed to complete their homework for the 5th time.
But instead of reacting negatively and having a shouting match with your child, sit them down and go through what they need help with.
This way, you will both feel more comfortable and reassured that you can find specific strategies, that you can both work at together.
- Increases confidence
When you show any interest in your child's activities and well being, they may not want to admit they care, but they do!
This will make them feel more secure and they will become more independent in asking for help when they need it.
- Aware of your child's strengths and weaknesses
When you monitor your child's homework, you can see first hand what your child may be struggling with, and you can get help from a teacher.
So there are no surprises when parents' evening comes around, and you can be more prepared in tackling the core challenges you may be going through, by encouraging instead of criticizing.
- Keep clear communication between yourself and your child's progress
With monitoring your child's work, when you see something that your child may be struggling with. Make sure you make a mental note of it for next time, and you can touch base with them a few weeks later to see if they have improved in that particular area.
If they haven't already, speak to their teacher on key strategies you can use at home.
Top Tips in Helping Your Child With Homework
- Create a calm study space
We all need a fresh and clean space, especially when we need to concentrate and study. It's the same when you are at the office or when your child is at school.
The study space is so important and will determine if they are able to thrive.
Even more vital when they are being homeschooled, if you have space, make the study space a different room to their bedroom, or if that is not possible, have a corner in their room that is solely used as a study space or reading corner.
- Ask if they need help with their homework
We know this might not always be possible when you are working around the clock, but every now and then, whether it is once or twice a week, touch base with your child and check their homework to see if they are on the right track.
If you have a reluctant child that refuses to show their homework, speak to their teacher and tell them that you have an agreement with their teacher to spot check their work now and then.
This way, your child can see that you are on the same page as the teacher.
- Create time in your schedule to go through your child's homework
Similar to the last point, but if you need to write it in your schedule when you are going to check your child's homework, do so, and be consistent with this agreement.
Hopefully, this would help your child to be more on top of their homework because they know that they have to take primary responsibility.
- Make sure you make yourself as available as possible
We know our schedules can be busy, but try not to say to your child, "No, I can't check your work, I am too busy'.
Instead, change it to, "I am unable to do it at the moment but I can check it later if that is okay?".
The way we word things and make our language more positive can make a significant difference to our child's self-esteem, and they can feel reassured that you will touch base with them at some point.
- Give positive reinforcement
When you do check their work and your child makes a mistake, try to point the positives first and leave the negatives after.
For example, "Great effort on your writing and you wrote so much, next time, try and check your spellings as there are a few spelling mistakes. We can check them together".
Remember: Words are very powerful!
- Allow your child to adapt their study to their learning style
When you know your child's learning style, you can incorporate this in their study pattern.
E.g if your child likes listening to music while they are studying, they might be an auditory learner.
If you would like your child to do a quiz to find out their learning style, please go to my other blog post: https://www.chamatuition.com/post/what-type-of-learner-is-your-child
- Read together
This is great for younger teens who might struggle with their reading, or if you are reading a book as a family.
- get more tech-savvy
As you know, technology has come a long way from when we had computers that looked like mini televisions. So we do have to get with the times.
Also, we can learn a lot from our children on how to access certain features that we were not aware of once upon a time. I have learned so much from my students, I felt embarrassed at first, but they love showing me new features as it makes them feel like an expert in this area.
So allow them to take the lead sometimes!
So to conclude:
Top Tips in Helping Your Child With Homework
- Create a calm study space
- Ask if they need help with their homework
- Create time in your schedule to go through your child's homework
- Make sure you make yourself as available as possible
- Give positive reinforcement
- Allow your child to adapt their study to their learning style
- Read together
- Get more tech-savvy