Getting your child to do their homework can be one of the most taxing aspects of a parent’s life. Most children are passionate learners, but passionate learners do not equal dedicated students. Many children view homework as a punishment, and you will be better able to help them with it if you can clear that misconception. If you focus on changing their motivation towards doing homework, you could also influence their behavior towards it.
Most children perform better in school when their parents are directly involved in their academic progress. Tutoring your child for hours is not the only way to help your child with their homework; there are many other ways through which you could assist them. Following are our best tips to help your kids with their homework:
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1. Explain its importance to them
We enter our academic life no stranger to the idea of homework. It becomes a prominent part of our lives when we enroll in our first educational institute. The word has been used and recognized for so long that only a few people reconsider its importance anymore. However, educators and researchers have had conflicting opinions regarding the benefits of homework since the 19th century. Most of these concerns rest with the merits of homework for children of different age groups rather than its absolute advantages.
Educators have raised questions like “Is homework good for elementary school kids?” as of late. And according to popular opinion, homework only begins to have an academic impact on a child’s life from middle school. However, since it is a pertinent tradition engrained in school life, escaping it is not a solution even for elementary kids.
To make your kids more inclined to do their homework, make them understand the benefits they can derive from it. Homework may not benefit your small kids academically on a large scale, but it will still teach them responsibility, time management, and organization skills. If done diligently and willingly, it may also make them more productive.
2. Encourage learning behavior
The best way to motivate children to do their homework is by instilling a learning mindset within them. Many children view homework and studying, in general, as an unnecessary chore. Your children won’t be able to learn well and progress further if they don’t realize the purpose of their education. Get your kids to understand how learning will allow them to grow into better individuals and also make this world a better place in return.
3. Create a study-exclusive place
Doing homework requires undivided attention to make learning effective, and having a place exclusively for study purposes can help with that. As a parent, you can try creating a suitable study place where your kids can do their homework without interruptions. You should consider a quiet location when setting up a study zone- noise is one of the major deterrents to focused learning. Also, be sure to keep the room well-lit, airy, and equipped with all the necessary study materials that your child might need.
4. Guide, not dictate
It is common for parents to answer their kids’ questions and expect them to understand their reasoning the very next second. The cognitive abilities of adults differ massively from that of children. Hence, grasping a concept or a course material might not be as easy for them as you might hope. To help your child do their work better, you may need to understand the difference between guiding them and dictating them first.
Dictating your child on what to do will be less effective than giving them guidance regarding how to do it. While the former may involve telling your child about a particular concept, the latter entails teaching them about it by breaking it down into simple and understandable terms. Changing your way of tutoring may make all the difference necessary for your child to perform their homework efficiently.
5. Establish a study schedule
You should set aside a specific time slot from your child’s day dedicated to homework alone. An organized schedule around studies will help make your kid accept it as a mandatory part of their everyday life. Even if they don’t feel joy at the prospect of it, they will soon begin to see it as a priority. Furthermore, help your child with making a to-do list for the day. Putting tasks and assignments down in an orderly manner will ensure a productive learning route.
A proper structure allows room for productivity. Allocating a specific time frame for homework will help your children complete all their tasks within the designated time frame.
6. Reward them for a job well-done
Make it a habit to reward your child whenever they do a great job at their homework. Children are more inclined to do better when you appreciate them for it. Therefore, praise your children for the efforts they put into studying. You could also give them treats when they do exceptionally well at a given task. Other incentives such as extra screen time for TV or other enjoyment activities may also keep your child motivated to be consistent in their efforts.
Positive reinforcement encourages a child to demonstrate positive behavior. Hence, incentivizing homework for children may effectively change their attitude towards learning.
7. Keep them company
Completing homework can be a tedious task for adults and children alike. Staring at numbers and words for hours can make one feel bored, lonely, and eager for company. Try to be around your child whenever they are working. Talk to them when they seem distressed or frustrated. At times, having someone around while working can make kids feel at ease and more motivated to keep up with their tasks. By being around your child while they do their homework, you will be letting them know they are not alone and that you are there for them if they need help. Often, that much assurance can be enough to calm their mind and nerves.
8. Give them a break
If your kids have been diligently doing their homework, consider giving them some time for a breather. Purposeful breaks from studying can refresh their brain and increase their focus and productivity when they dive back into their tasks. The attention span of children is considerably less than that of adults. Hence, having them stay put for an hour for homework will most likely be ineffective and have no real value on their learning. Give your child a few minutes of relief when it seems like they are getting tired or losing focus. Doing so will allow them some time to relax their muscles and mind before they have to get back to their assigned tasks.
Conclusion
Kids run away from doing their homework, and who’d know that better than any parent! Still, getting your little ones to complete their tasks doesn’t have to be a battle of sorts. This article mentions a few tips to help parents get their kids to do their homework. Following these tips can make quick work of a seemingly boring and mundane routine and strengthen the parent-child bond.
