Making sure children get their homework done on time is an age-old problem for parents. But there are many steps you can take to make it a lot easier. Here are some tips to keep in mind to get your child into a good homework routine.
Make Sure You Are Not Hindering Their Study
Don’t get cross with your child for not doing their homework and then prevent them from doing it by creating lots of noise or turning on the TV when they should be studying.
Instead, provide them with somewhere quiet and comfortable, like a desk in their room, and make sure you keep the noise down so they can concentrate better. You may want to remove other distractions like a computer they could be playing on or a TV they may try and watch when you are not checking on them.
Reward Good Behavior
Always reward your child for doing the right thing. They want to play on their phone or watch TV? Let them, but only after they have finished their homework. They want to speak to their friend on the phone? Sure, after they have finished their homework.
Don’t Force Them to Turn Off Their Music
Some people study better with background music. You may not be one of them, but don’t force your kids to turn the music off if they don’t want to. Find out what works best for them, but if you can see that it is a distraction, turn it off.
Get into a Routine
Try to get into a homework routine where your child sits down at the same time every evening to work. That could be straight after they come home or it could be later on, but make sure you stick to the same time every day.
Give a Special Focus on Study Before a Test
When studying for a test, place extra emphasis on studying. For example, if your child is studying for the WISC-V, be even more vigilant and ensure they are studying enough. You could even help them out by finding a test online to assist their preparation, then work with them and test them yourself.
Spot Signs of Stress
Always be on the lookout for signs of stress and frustration, and step in if you need to. Don’t do their homework for them, but suggest ways to make it easier, and guide them in the right direction. And always try to do this with enthusiasm rather than grudgingly.
Ensure They Know the Real Importance of Study
Finally, whenever you talk to your child about doing their homework, try to get through to them that it is not just a boring task that needs to be done, but that it is an important skill for life. Explain that getting into good habits will help them in their life, and talk to them about your own study experiences and pass on your knowledge.
Try to explain this to them outside of study mode, such as when you go for a walk or you are in the car, so that they will be less likely to think of it as just something boring, and they will hopefully enjoy it more.
GUEST BLOGGER: Amy Bishop is a Mom of two pre-teen boys who enjoys blogging during her spare time. Her writing focuses on helping parents to raise happy healthy kids using her own parenting successes (and failures) as inspiration. She writes for a variety of parenting and Mommy lifestyle blogs.
