BRINGING HARMONY TO HOMEWORK
BRINGING HARMONY TO HOMEWORK
It seems like children have more homework earlier in their school careers than we did at their age. And, with so many extracurricular events, athletic practices and other activities, it’s easy to see how homework can get pushed to the back burner and possibly forgotten.
While homework may seem like drudgery, studies show, and common sense supports, that studying at home can help improve a child’s performance in school. Here are some tips for helping your child get their homework done regularly and correctly:
- Establish a central homework location, such as the kitchen table or a desk in your child’s room, where your child has everything they need to complete the assigned work (reference books, pencils, internet access, etc.).
- Keep the area as quiet as possible during study time. This means no TV or other electronic distractions.
- Set aside a specific amount of time for studying and homework each school night. For elementary school students, this is usually 30 to 45 minutes; for middle school students, it’s 45 to 75 minutes; and for high school students, it’s 60 to 90 minutes or more.
- Make sure your children start study time on time. You can be somewhat flexible if an unforeseen situation arises, but it’s important that your children understand that homework is their responsibility and must be completed.
- Divide study time into shorter periods for children who have difficulty concentrating. Brief breaks can help the...
Teaching Activity
Select Homework Rewards
Give your children planners in which they can write down information about homework assignments and upcoming tests. Ask their teachers to initial the planner every day at the end of each period to ensure that your children document their assignments correctly. Some schools now provide this information online, so you can check assignments to see if they match what your children have written in their planners.
Sit down with your children and identify rewards they would like to earn for completing their planners, bringing home all necessary materials, having teachers sign the planners, completing homework accurately and accomplishing goals. Behaviors that earn rewards should be those that are currently the most difficult for your children.
Social Skills
Completing Homework
This skill is self-descriptive. It’s a simple five-step process that every child should follow in order to complete their homework correctly and on time:
- Find out at school what the day’s homework is for each subject.
- Remember to bring home necessary books or materials in order to complete your assignments.
- Get started on homework promptly or at the designated time.
- Complete all assignments accurately and neatly.
- Turn in assignments on time.
Coming Up Next
IN ISSUE 4 Establishing a Routine - Back-to-School Contract - Completing Tasks