As a parent, it can be difficult to establish a balance between helping kids with their homework and doing it for them. Because homework is being doled out as early as kindergarten, kids need their parents’ help with their homework. However, the purpose of homework is to reinforce what the kids learned in school, and this purpose is undermined if the parent simply does the homework for the kids.
Instructions
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Recognize your role in your kids’ homework. As a parent, your role is to make sure that your kids actually do their homework. You are also needed as a resource if the kids need more guidance in how to complete a homework assignment. It is not your job to provide the answers. Your job is to guide your kids toward figuring out the answers for themselves. - 2
Designate a homework area. Choose one place in your home for homework. The designated area should have good lighting, a lot of room for spreading out homework assignments and enough chairs for you and the kids. The kitchen table is often a good place for this purpose.
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- Set a time for homework. Build homework time into your kids’ daily schedule, such as immediately after school or right after dinner. If your kids know when they are expected to do their homework, they are less likely to argue about changing gears to do their homework.
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Provide tools for helping with homework. For example, a jar of wooden beads can help a kid with his math homework. If he cannot remember what 3 + 3 is, he can count out the beads and figure this out for himself. Keep a variety of school supplies in the homework area, including paper, pencils, pens, crayons and scissors. - 5
Encourage your kids’ independence. Let your kids begin doing their homework on their own and stay nearby so they can ask for help with their homework, if needed. Allow your kids to make the decision about whether your help is needed. - 6
Guide your kids toward figuring out the answer for themselves. If your kid gets stuck on a homework problem, be creative in guiding your kid toward discovering the answer for herself. For example, point to the dictionary for spelling or vocabulary questions. If the child has a question about fractions, get out a measuring cup. Find way to engage your child in discovering the answer for herself. - 7
Make sure your kid understands the answer. If your kid truly cannot figure out a homework question and you spoon-feed the answer, talk with your child about the concept until he understands it.
@S_ChiragH