With everybody getting set to go back to school, it’s a good time to start thinking about the dreaded “H” word – homework. Homework isn’t just dreaded by the kids. Many parents dread homework as well. If you and your child need motivation to get that homework completed each night, here are some ideas to help you get through it.
Have a Homework Space
One of the worst places for kids to do homework is in front of the television set. This is not only distracting, but it can take much longer to do the assignments than what is actually needed. Have a space in your home where your kids set aside for doing their homework. If you don’t have a separate room or area where they can be free from distractions, let them do it at the dining room table. Just be sure to keep the distractions to a minimum, such as turning the TV off and keeping conversations to a whisper.
Play Music
Studies have shown that music helps kids focus on the task at hand. But you have to be careful with your music choice. Music with lyrics can be very distracting and cause your child to lose focus because their brain will be singing along with the lyrics. Instead, choose classical music and other instrumental music to play at a reasonable volume. It also makes homework less tedious so they will be more likely to do it when they come home from school.
Make Them Less Dependent
As parents, you may have a temptation to fill in some of those blanks or do the calculations yourself when helping your children with homework. But this simply isn’t productive and you aren’t doing them any favors by doing this. Instead, encourage them to figure out the problem themselves. You can give them a little coaching and direction, but the only way they will be independent and learn the material is if you let them do it themselves. One way to do it is to ask them to explain to you how to do the problem. When kids play the role of the teacher, they are more likely to think about what they are doing and it will be easier for them to remember when you are not around to help them.
Nobody likes doing homework, but it’s a necessity for both children and parents. Knowing how to motivate and encourage your children to do their assignments will lead to academic success and fewer frustrations for you. If your child is struggling with school, it might be a good idea to find a tutor. With so many options available for extra help don’t you owe it to your child and yourself to make sure they get the help they need to succeed this school year? Sites like Tutorhub provide online tutoring and homework help all from the comfort of your home, by putting students in contact with professional tutors for one to one private tutoring in online setting.