Is your household chaos every afternoon?
Are you struggling to get your children to do their homework?
There are a few key practices that will make life easier for everyone in the family when it comes to homework time, study time and study organisation.
However, some of them may involve an adjustment for other members of the family.
*Turn off the TV set. Make it a house rule, depending on the location of the set, that when it is work time, it is "no TV" time - for everyone. TV's attract attention especially kids programs which can invite interaction. Some people also suggest that the radio should be turned off as well, but I would suggest trying it out, radio is less likely to demand interaction. You will probably find your child is singing along whilst doing their work, making it a more enjoyable experience.
*Designate specific areas for homework and studying. Possibilities include the study if you have one, the child's room, the kitchen or dining room table. Eliminate as many distractions as you possibly can to allow for complete focus.
*Routine and regularity is a key factor in academic success. Try to organise your household so that study time is at the same time each night. Before or after dinner, make it stick so that it becomes a good study habit.
*Equipment and resources should be readily on hand. If your reference books or dictionaries are up on a shelf collecting dust and your pencils and pens are scattered all over the house then this provides a fantastic excuse for NOT doing any homework. Keep everything close by and in the same place all the time.
*Model effective study skills. If you are up till midnight cramming for a work presentation then your children will believe that is how you prepare for something important. Show them how you plan your time, manage distractions, research and deliver effectively.
*Should parents help with homework? Yes-if it is clearly productive to do so, such as calling out spelling words, reading instructions or checking a math problem that they cannot solve.
No-if it is something the child can clearly handle on their own and they can learn from the process. Help and support should always be calmly and positively given. Resentful help is worse than no help at all!
Are you struggling to get your children to do their homework?
There are a few key practices that will make life easier for everyone in the family when it comes to homework time, study time and study organisation.
However, some of them may involve an adjustment for other members of the family.
*Turn off the TV set. Make it a house rule, depending on the location of the set, that when it is work time, it is "no TV" time - for everyone. TV's attract attention especially kids programs which can invite interaction. Some people also suggest that the radio should be turned off as well, but I would suggest trying it out, radio is less likely to demand interaction. You will probably find your child is singing along whilst doing their work, making it a more enjoyable experience.
*Designate specific areas for homework and studying. Possibilities include the study if you have one, the child's room, the kitchen or dining room table. Eliminate as many distractions as you possibly can to allow for complete focus.
*Routine and regularity is a key factor in academic success. Try to organise your household so that study time is at the same time each night. Before or after dinner, make it stick so that it becomes a good study habit.
*Equipment and resources should be readily on hand. If your reference books or dictionaries are up on a shelf collecting dust and your pencils and pens are scattered all over the house then this provides a fantastic excuse for NOT doing any homework. Keep everything close by and in the same place all the time.
*Model effective study skills. If you are up till midnight cramming for a work presentation then your children will believe that is how you prepare for something important. Show them how you plan your time, manage distractions, research and deliver effectively.
*Should parents help with homework? Yes-if it is clearly productive to do so, such as calling out spelling words, reading instructions or checking a math problem that they cannot solve.
No-if it is something the child can clearly handle on their own and they can learn from the process. Help and support should always be calmly and positively given. Resentful help is worse than no help at all!
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