Following a common trend, kids are usually more successful in school when the parents take active interests in their academics, school, and homework. It gives the children a feeling that what they are doing is essential for their parents. Of course, for parents, too, helping the children with homework should not mean spending hours sitting at the desk. But, the parents can depict their support by demonstrating organization and study skills, continually encouraging the kids to study and take reasonable breaks, or just helping them with tricky problems. And who knows? Even you might learn a thing or two through this entire process.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks that can make this achievable.
Know their teachers
The first step in helping your children with their homework is actively participating in their schoolwork. For this, you need to be updated about what they are learning, the syllabus that is being followed, and the pace of your child. You should know by heart, which teacher teaches them which subject at school, and what they are looking for. Further, you need to attend parent-teacher conferences, attend school events, and any other activity that is happening at their school. Be aware of the homework policies, and see how best you can be involved in it. If you can yourself help them with the homework, great, else, you can use platforms like TAE, which help the students with their homework and assignments.
Have a dedicated homework friendly area
There should be a dedicated section in your house, where the children can study without any interference. It should be homework-friendly away from all the noise. The place should be well-lit for them to do their homework correctly. Also make sure that this section has everything that the child will possibly need while doing homework, such as scissors, glue, pencils, and paper, all within reach.
Fix a study time for them
There are a few kids who are most productive during the afternoon, following a snack and playtime. On the other hand, others enjoy studying after dinner. Regardless of what time the child finds most comfortable, do ensure that they have a schedule, and it is fixed for all days.
Help them make plans
On the nights when there is a lot of homework to tackle, you can encourage the children to take a break between assignments, or break up the bigger assignments into small manageable chunks. You can also create a work schedule for the night if required. Then, you can tell them to have a 15-minute break every hour. It will keep them relaxed through the entire schedule, and will also ensure that their task is completed well in time.
Stay away from distractions
Distractions would mean anything like phone calls, loud music, or TV. So, while they are studying, tell them to keep away from all types of distractions. However, if they need some help with an assignment, and want to communicate with a classmate on that, well that should be ok, but anything beyond that should be restricted. If the child studies around the distractions, his productivity is declined, and he takes longer to complete the task.
Ensure that the kids are doing their work
Well, the children would not learn well if they do not think for themselves and make their mistakes. You can suggest things to them, give them directions, but always let them do their own thing. The child has to do his learning on his own. If there is a particular concept or a subject that the child is finding difficulty with, you can get him to enroll in a course. To look for the best classes for the different subjects, you can check out platforms like TrumpLearning. The site will help you find the best courses for possibly everything.
Be an excellent motivator and a monitor
In addition to continually encouraging them to do better, you need to keep a check on how well they are progressing. Inquire them about the tests, quizzes, assignments conducted at school. See-through their grades and every once in a while, check their homework. It is not all. You should try to be available for them if they need help with any subject or question.
Set an example for them
Does your child ever see you reading a book on your off day, or maybe trying to work out your budget for the month? Well, if yes, he will learn what he sees. Kids often take on the actions of their parents. So, instead of sitting in front of a TV on a Sunday, try to be productive, and set a good example for them. Further, the roles should be divided in the house. It is not just the mother’s duty to help the child. Both parents need to be actively involved in the child’s progress.
Praise their efforts and works
Did they ace a project or a test? Post it on the refrigerator. While they are around, mention about their academic achievements to a relative or their sibling. It will make them feel encouraged. Also, it would give them a feeling of how much their success means to you. So, as a result, they will keep working towards their goals, and make you proud.
If they still have homework troubles, get help
If despite everything, the results are not improving, you should consider getting some help. Maybe enroll them into tuitions or see the area where they are particularly struggling. There is a possibility that your child is under performing not because of his incapability to understand the subject, but only because he is unable to see the board. If that is the problem, get their eyesight tested, and that should solve the problem.
You are an equal party to the success of your child. The child will only be able to make it big in his life if his foundation is strong. So, do ensure that you are careful about what they do and how well they do it in the foundation years of their life. Regretting about their poor performance later in life, would not do you any good.
