Ten tips to help your child with homework

The following tips are designed to help you develop a stress-free homework routine with your primary school children, so that by the time they reach high school they will have developed a healthy homework habit.

1. When and where for homework
Decide with your child on a regular time slot to do homework and stick to this. Check with your school as to the appropriate length of time for homework and explain this to your child. Choose a suitable place together where homework is to be completed, for example, at the kitchen table or a specific desk and be close by to help if needed.

2. Avoid distractions
Turn off the TV, the Xbox, the DS and the computer – unless required. You need to help your child focus on their homework.

3. Help get them started
If your child has understood the work at school they will be able to explain what they have to do. You may need to gently ask some questions and help your child if he or she does not understand. You may need to discuss how to get started and point them in the right direction.

4. Ensure your child completes the work
You can explain where necessary but do not provide answers. This is a great opportunity for children to think for themselves – encourage this.

5. Patience and praise
You may have to explain some things several times but resist the temptation to rush your child. Consider this as quality time and try to be relaxed. This is not a chore, it should be fun. If your child associates homework with quality time with you they will be more likely to do it and enjoy the routine. Praise your child often, particularly their efforts and not just the end result.

6. Look, say, cover, write
Your child is unlikely to learn by just looking at work, so encourage them to LOOK at it, SAY it out loud, COVER it up, and then WRITE it out.

7. Tools of the trade
Provide your child with pencils, pens, colouring pencils, ruler, rubber and a good pencil sharpener, preferably in a special stationary holder or pencil case. Let your child choose a special notebook for writing and rough work.

8. ‘Real-life’ testing
Sometimes, perhaps in the car or out and about, you can discreetly test your child by incorporating what you know they should have learned recently. Try to make it relevant to the situation, so they do not feel ‘tested’ and never at bedtime.

9. Parental role model
Children copy the behaviour patterns of their parents and others around them. It is great if you can attend to ‘administrative’ chores (bank statements, letters…) while your child does their homework. Then they see you do your ‘homework’ too.

10. Communicate concerns with teacher
Communicate any queries about homework to the teacher. You could discuss this first with your child so that they understand what you are doing. Follow up on the response as any frustration and failure to understand should be addressed as soon as possible.