It is that time of year again, BACK TO SCHOOL! This comes with a lot of excitement as kids are anxious to go back and mom is more than ready to send them. It is a time of mixed emotions whether you are sending off your first one to kindergarten or maybe your baby is starting high school, some nerves and anxiety will be experienced. For some kids school is a breeze and others seem to struggle to make it day-to-day. From homework, projects, tests, and fears there are many stresses facing families with school aged children these days.
Perhaps one of the things that causes a great deal of anxiety for both the parent and child is the dreaded double 4 letter word HOMEWORK!! While there are lots of debates on homework the basic objective should teach kids to work independently and be responsible. I feel education misses the mark on homework because teachers generally send the same packet of homework for each child. Homework should only be work the student can do independently for practice by themselves. Naturally this is going to become harder and more demanding as time goes on but in elementary school the work should be at the independent level of the student. If your child needs excessive support to complete homework then there is a major problem. Parents need to only be a consultant and cheerleader in the process; excessive coaching and teaching are not necessary nor is it the job of the parent to “teach” the child how do it; isn’t that why we send them to school.
What can a parent do if homework has become the next world war or takes excessive amounts of time to complete? Here are some quick suggestions.
Parent as the Cheerleader
First and foremost as the parent you need to recognize your role in the process. As a homework cheerleader, parents should be available to supervise, provide structure, be a resource, and reward success. As a parent you should not be completing your child’s homework or sitting with your children during homework completion. In many cases, it is difficult for parents to transfer their roles. This is their time to make mistakes and learn it is part of the process so errors are ok.
Homework Hygiene
It is important that the homework environment is conducive to homework completion. Good hygiene requires the right environment; I mean you wouldn’t take a bath in a muddy pond hoping to get clean. As such children should locate a homework area that is free from distractions. The area should be well lit, quiet, and away from the TV and yes even the Smart phone and tablet. Although electronic devices including the TV is discouraged, soft music is allowed. In addition to the environment, a homework routine is essential. Homework should be completed around the same time each day; however, it is not recommended to complete homework right before bedtime. It is important to allow for short breaks to reward homework effort.
Homework Plan Have a plan on how the home routine will work to have it run smoothly. Here is a simple plan you can implement.
STEP 1:
Gather all needed materials for the homework area. It is a good idea to have a consistent area where homework is completed. In this area, have all the necessary supplies, such as pencils, calculators, and paper. For this program, you will also need 3 paperclips or pennies and a timer.
STEP 2:
With your child, negotiate a timed goal for completing a portion of homework. For example, if they are going to complete a math worksheet of 20 problems, they may indicate it will take 15 minutes. Just to provide your child enough time, you may give them 20 minutes to complete the worksheet.
STEP 3:
Set the timer for the predetermined amount of time and leave them to complete the worksheet. Allow them the opportunity to ask 2 questions during the 20 minute period. If they have a question, they are required to come to you with all materials you will need to assist with the question. When asking a question, they must turn in a paperclip or a penny.
STEP 4:
At the end of the 20 minutes, if the work is complete (and neat) and they still have a paperclip or penny remaining then they earn a small reward. Appropriate rewards may include a short break, a quick card game with a parent, watching TV, computer time, or a snack (treat). This break time should be about 5 minutes.
STEP 5:
Repeat steps 2-4 until all homework is done.
By following this homework program, children will learn to work independently. An important aspect of this program is the understanding that independent homework completion is a skill that must be learned. The best way to learn a new skill is to engage in consistent practice routine each day.
If your child stills struggles with homework after implementing this plan there may be a more serious problem requiring professional help. Some of the concerns include the inability to focus or concentrate, sustaining attention, difficulty learning new facts, remembering or recalling information, understanding directions, or lack of progress. There are many causes for learning difficulties including learning disorders, processing disorders, dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or other neurological and medical causes. If you suspect any of these problems it is best to seek professional help early on to avoid bigger problems. As parents one of our biggest fears is having a child who struggles at school. There are many resources and programs available to help children who have learning difficulties.