As a parent myself, I know that homework time can be a difficult time for some students. After a long day of school, the last thing many students want to do is more work. The following tips may help to make homework a hassle-free time. *
- Have reasonable expectations. The goal of homework at this age should be to help kids develop good study habits and feel successful. Don't assume that your child will always understands the directions, be neat, and get the right answers. Wrong answers are fine and help me to see what they don't understand. Children in the third grade should do no more than 30 minutes of work, NOT including the 20 minutes of reading. After 30 minutes, stop.
- Set up a homework spot. Create an area that is comfortable but good for working. As long as your child has easy access to the supplies she needs, the kitchen or dining-room table might be ideal.
- Time it right. There are three reasonable time periods during which kids can do their homework: immediately after school, before dinner, or after dinner. "Let your child help choose the time," Dr. Harris Cooper advises. "Some kids really need to let off steam when they get home, while others will be too tired if they wait. Figure out a time that suits your child and your family, and then stick with it." Right before bed is NOT a good time to do homework.
- Limit distractions. Kids find all sorts of reasons to avoid doing their work, so you need to anticipate them. To start off on the right note, you might say, "Once homework starts, there are no breaks, so go to the bathroom and get your snack now." Don't talk on the phone or watch TV within earshot while your child is trying to work. This is a good time to do work of your own - pay bills, read, balance your checkbook.
- Avoid negotiation. Some parents and children spend a lot of time going back and forth about what the teacher "really meant" in her assignment. If you are not sure, check my website. If still not sure, tell your child "Do it anyway, and then you'll be ahead." This strategy will eliminate homework arguments.
- Don't hover. Your child should do his homework mostly without your help. Experts agree that being nearby is great, but being on top of your child is not and actually may cause your child to be less successful.
- Don't give your child the answers -- but do ask questions. Homework is an important way that teachers judge how much kids are absorbing in class, and I adjust lessons based on homework. If you do the homework with your child, I cannot tell what he/she does not understand. Just write a note on the homework to let me know what your child could not do.
- What if my child won't do homework?
- One strategy that has worked well in my family is the "no screen" strategy. Tell your child that he/she can not use anything that has a screen until you see that homework is done. This will include phones, TV, computer, iPads, handheld games, etc.
- Homework plan - if you continuously have battles over homework completion, make an appointment with me to complete a homework plan. This plan will outline the time homework will be done, the place, and the consequences at home for not completing the work. Having the teacher mediate usually eliminates the hassles.~ Mrs. Mark
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