|
| |
| |
Helping Kids and Teens with Homework
|
back |
Homework for kids is no longer “only their” responsibility. You see parents fretting over homework completion, complaining over complexity of homework, amount of homework, and the due date of homework almost as much as their children. They spend hours reminding children to complete their homework or helping them with the homework.
To instill good study habits and good homework habits, the whole family has to make some rules and ensure that everyone follows these rules: |
| No TV |
| When it is homework time or study time, the home TV should be switched off, otherwise youngsters will have problem concentrating on the homework. They will be more interested in the next TV program than in the next homework problem. |
| No or Low Radio |
| Some students seem to work fine with radio on with their favorite music playing while others find it disturbing and distracting. Best thing might be to switch it off to avoid any distraction for them. If other family members really want to listen to the music, then it may be a good option to invest in a headphone and listen to the music yourself instead of playing it for the whole family. |
| Designated Study Area |
 |
|
Designate a quiet area with a table and chair as the study area where your child can peacefully complete his homework or prepare for the tests. Ensure that the table has enough space to spread out all their study materials, school supplies and practice worksheets etc. For younger children, this may be a kitchen table – but it should be clean and spacious to allow them to work comfortably. |
|
| Regular Study Time |
| Assign a study time or homework time for your kids on a regular basis. Regularity is the key for academic success and you should assign a study time either before activities or after supper – but there should be a specific time for study everyday. Allow them to take breaks, but they should complete their work within the assigned time and not let it overflow to the next day. |
| Discuss Homework or Class work |
 |
|
As a parent, we can be involved in our children’s academic lives by staying on top of their homework, by being involved in what they are learning in school. This can happen only at younger ages, but we should do this as long as feasible. Spend time discussing what happened in their school, what homework are they working on, and even brainstorm on certain things such as an essay or a story topic with them. This will also allow you to watch out for any frustration or difficulty they face with their homework. |
|
| Consider Tutoring |
Once you are involved with their homework and have seen them struggling with the work not because of the environment but because of lack of clear understanding, provide them help immediately. Don’t let them fall behind in their class. Either help them yourself or get them some external help in the form of tutoring, but provide them additional help right away. Intervening at the right time will ensure that your child will recover before losing interest in the subject such as Math or English.
Companies such as  provide one-on-one individualized and affordable tutoring to students from K-12 to college. Enrolling your child with such tutors will ensure that they get personal attention when needed and will get on top of their subject as soon as they start falling behind. Make homework or study time a non-negotiable time, provide regular guidance and good study environment, and stay involved. |
| |
| About Author : Anu Bhave is the founder and President at - an online tutoring and homework help firm that provides very high-quality personalized, convenient, yet highly affordable supplementary education services to K-12 and college students. |
|
|
|
|
