Making Homework Easy
BySchool is in full session, and with a new school year comes homework. Your child may need your guidance to make homework less stressful. Using the following these ideas may provide your child with the help they need for homework problems.
Many children procrastinate when it comes to homework. Of course, this can add to the stress they’re feeling. Create a schedule for time at home to enable them to accomplish everything they need to do. A good schedule might include:
* Wind down with a healthy snack
* Homework
* Chores
* Dinner
* Time together as a family
To make the transition from school to home easier, give them a half hour to ride their bike, watch one television program, or do a craft. A nutritious snack is also a good idea when children return home, particularly if lunch was earlier in the day. A piece of fruit, yogurt, or a cheese sandwich will give them much-needed energy and allow them to concentrate better on the task at hand.
Always have your child do homework in a specific place. You’ll want to have a basket or box which contains supplies they’ll need including pencils, paper, calculator, eraser, and markers. If you they need your help managing their time, you may want them to do homework at the kitchen table.
Break down tasks into smaller portions of time and be available if they need your assistance. You can be available without sitting by them and doing their homework for them. Knowing you’re available to help should they run into problems can be comforting. You may choose to read, pay bills, or do another activity at the table with them.
Limit your child’s extra curricular activities to avoid burnout. If they are spending their evening hours practising sports, with scouts, or in a band, they won’t have time for homework. You may want to initiate a “school first” rule if your children are involved in too many activities.
What do you do if you think the teacher is assigning too much homework? Make an appointment to see them, without your child present, and discuss the problems your child may be having. Speaking to the teacher in front of the child could lead them to question the teacher’s authority from then on. Ask your child’s teacher what you can do to help them learn.
Make sure you take breaks between assignments for young children, and at least once an hour for older children. The break doesn’t have to be a long time, but enough to allow them to get a drink or get up and walk around. Perhaps they can do a quick household chore during their break. Physical activity helps release stress. So, a chore like taking out the garbage is a good idea.
Homework and stress seem to go hand-in-hand. You can do a lot to teach your children how to make homework less stressful by following a few helpful ideas. You may also empathize; it may not have been so long ago you were doing homework yourself.