There is no doubt that helping kids with #homework is a difficult task whether that be younger siblings, your hyperactive cousin or your own child. No matter how smart the child is, the child will want parental support in doing their homework and homework can be a crucial part of schooling for a child to learn. Recent research has also shown that a parent’s attitude towards a child’s homework has a huge impact on the child’s attitude and performance towards studies.
As an educator who interacts with children every day here are some of the best tips that I have accumulated which can be helpful for anyone who has children around them:
Create an Environment
Children are always influenced by the environment so its best to create an environment where the children can do their work in peace; that may include providing them with a distraction-free space and time in your home. Setting a specific place and time can create a good culture of homework. Also being near children while they do their work can provide moral support to them, you could be reading a book or doing your work from home but that will work as a role model and #inspiration for the child to do their own work.
Understand the purpose
You need to understand that homework is just a checkpoint for revision and should work to reinforce the knowledge or skills learnt in school. There is no point in bashing the child if she couldn’t pick up the skill at school and can't complete the homework. When the child struggles, homework might turn into a negative experience for her so support her to maintain homework as a positive experience which will foster her growth.
Communicate
Sometimes homework can be stressful for children. Rather than blaming them for their inability to complete work; communicate with them. ask them what is bothering them and ask if they need any help. Even though you might not be able to help; the feeling that someone is there to help you will provide the child with a sense of relief while doing the homework.
Let the child be the leader
A lot of time we assume that us being the adult we should take the charge and guide the child through each and every step of their homework but that will stop your child to get the best juices from their homework. Let your child do her homework on her own and only step in when she asks for help. Even though spoon-feeding all the solutions now might be the easy way for now but letting the child be the leader will allow her to explore her problem-solving skills making herself #independent which will be helpful in the long run.
Focus on Strength
Be aware of what your child is good at. We often assume that a brilliant child will excel in any subject but that might not always be true. By knowing what is the #strength of the child you will be able to provide extra #support in topics where she needs help and at the same time promote the areas where she is best at.
Provide incentives
It's a no brainer that #incentives motivate human minds. Set incentives in a way that your child does the work diligently and also make her look forward to homework. Incentives not only create a positive outlook towards homework but also promote a learning environment but be sure to not overdo with incentives.
Get in contact with the teacher
Your communication with the teacher can be insightful for both you and the #teacher. The teacher can learn about the struggles of your child at home and you being there at #school can build the morale of your children to learn better.
We need to remember that doing homework is not just a task for a child- Homework is where the child, you the parents and teachers come together to foster the #academic growth of a child.
Referenced from articles by Jocelyn A. Chadwick , J. Michael Pragman, Maurice Elias and Danielle Kovach
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