Hated by children of all ages, and a daily cause of stress for families - homework! As a high school teacher for more than 25 years, I see the benefits of homework. But as a parent of two primary school children, I also see it at its worst - causing arguments and creating power struggles in my family. Add to this the need to fit it in around our busy afternoon schedule of dance classes, sports training, music lessons. How do we fit it all in and make it as painless (yet effective) as possible?
Here are some techniques that have helped my family to survive homework. They’re not fool-proof, but they may prove helpful to you.
- Ask the teacher for homework on Friday so that the bulk of it can be completed over the weekend. My children are more compliant to completing a little homework over the weekend when they are fresher. A little reward to do something outside together is also a nice sweetener to getting the job done quickly.
- Help manage distractions. Turn off the TV. Put on some lovely soothing music instead. This will break the silence whilst still not distracting. It also keeps my children calm and helps them to concentrate. Try it – it really works!
- Predict the stalling techniques! “I don’t have a pencil!” “I have no eraser!” We have a special stationery set which is brought out only for homework. This way there is no excuse to start straight away.
- Depending on their age, don’t let them do their homework in their bedroom if you can avoid it! If they do complete homework in their room, insist that the door be left open and check in on them from time to time. No texting, no MSN. Ask them what they are going to complete in the first 30 minutes, and then come back after 30 minutes to check on their progress. Get them to show you what work they have completed.
- Don’t do their homework for them! In the short-term this may seem like the easiest solution but in the long-term it is the greatest mistake you can make as a parent.
- Reward their efforts, especially boys! It is amazing how quickly and effectively my 9 year old son will complete his homework if he is allowed computer time when he is finished.
- Be prepared to let your child fail. Sometimes children need to bear the consequences at school for incomplete homework. As a parent you can, instead, help them to manage their life around this failure. Assist by ensuring their environment is suitable, help them to manage a timetable, turn off the TV or computer, or take away their phone. Don’t tell them to do their homework, but provide the opportunity for homework to be done.
What have you tried at home that works? I would love to hear your suggestions and add them to this page. Please email me to add your suggestion ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) . Together, we can empower each other by providing useful homework techniques.
Clare Michelsen, Director