Helping your child with homework and study time can be a challenge for many parents. Whether your child’s school assigns little or a consistently robust amount of homework, having strategies to help your child in a manner that encourages ownership and a love for learning is important.
At Holy Trinity Episcopal School in Houston, TX, our program encourages students to build the habits for living an educated and meaningful life. In this article, we share four parenting tips for helping children with homework and study time.
Provide the Right Environment and Materials
There is a difference between the learning environment at home and in the classroom. Classes are typically set up to support focusing on learning. Home is, well, for living at home. However, designating a space for learning at home will help. Providing a calm, distraction-free space dedicated to homework, study time, and school projects can ensure that your children have all the tools they need to complete each homework session effectively.
We recommend choosing a specific room for homework time, like an office or library. Stock the area with paper, pens, and even motivational pictures to make it more fun.
Establish a Routine, Set Expectations, and Be Consistent
Children thrive with routines. Establishing consistent expectations and routines for working at home supports this special need for young learners. By setting a simple homework schedule, your child will understand what to expect and may even begin to take ownership of their time management.
Choose a specific time dedicated to school work, such as right after school or after dinner, and reinforce this time consistently. You should also set quality expectations to ensure that children do not rush through their work to move on to the next activity.
Be Willing to Monitor and Motivate
Many children dread homework time, though, with the right motivational techniques, you can re-shape this mindset. Many students respond well to positive encouragement. Reminding your child that they are doing an excellent job and that you are proud of their progress can go a long way in building their self-esteem and love for learning at home.
While you want to encourage independence during homework time, you should also occasionally monitor their progress. Positive homework check-ins can become fun quality time they look forward to daily.
Offer Help and Guidance Without Giving the Answers
Learning can be tough, and it is natural to want to help your child overcome a challenging lesson or task. When helping, stick to guiding and demonstrating. Do not give your child the answers. Children benefit from being allowed to overcome challenges. Their confidence and abilities will grow as they figure things out. Remember, be a guide on the side, not a sage on a stage.
Helping your kids through homework, study time, and other school projects does not have to be hard. Try using our four tips yourself and see how your child’s relationship with learning at home transforms.
To discuss your child’s education further, contact Holy Trinity Episcopal School in Houston, TX, today at (281) 459-4323 to speak with our team.
