Tips To Make Homework Easy For Your Child

Scene at the home of a 7 year old: Son- Dad Can you explain this sum to me? Dad- Sure… Come on you don’t know this? What were you doing in the class?

It is indeed horror time for both children and parents when it is homework time. From LKG to 3rd standard parents need to make time to sit with their children to do their homework. From the age of 7 years typically children are able to study on their own.

Also Read: 11 Effective Learning techniques for older children

Tips to inspire children to do homework

 As parents we think that we should be able to know all the answers. That we should push our children to study and that we should keep fixing their errors. If children are doing their homework and studying on their own then so be it. If not how do we step in? Here are a few tips to inspire our children to do their homework.

1. A dedicated place:

   There must be a table / room where your child has to sit down to study/do homework. This will help the child to prepare himself mentally to begin studying/do homework

2. Get ready:

   As parents we can ensure that the necessary tools are ready for doing homework, e.g. pen/pencil/ eraser/schoolbag, books etc. these have to be readily available so that no time is wasted

3. Technology:

   The computer or the Internet can be made available under your supervision if they need to research on any topic

4. Our Help:

   Instead of finding faults and being critical or nagging we can sit down with our children and ask how we can help. If they need our help they will ask. Or be near them as they do their sums and guide them using an encouraging tone. We should not do their work for them. Neither should we research on the Internet and provide them with details. Children should do their work. We can clarify their concepts, give them ideas. When it comes to projects there are many parents who do everything. By doing this we are not allowing our children to learn. If a child asks for the meaning of a word, take the dictionary and help him use it

5. Setting a routine:

   This is very important. Sit down with your child and plan a routine using their inputs. Make a time planner and put it up in their room or on their table. They should sit down to study/do homework at the same time every evening. Having a meal, bath time, play time and study time has to be consistently followed. This will ensure they learn time management too. I use my cell phone to set reminders and alarms to help children to study. I reward smaller children with glitter stickers glow stickers if they complete their work

6. Motivation:

   Normally children are self -motivated especially for subjects of their interest. As parents we can motivate by appreciating their effort and not just the outcome. If they complete a project you can remark,’ I saw you putting in a lot of effort..’ Children learn about themselves from the people around them. As parents it is very crucial that we encourage and motivate our children. Instead of always pointing out their mistakes, point out what they have done well

7. Be partners:

   You can give them a feeling of importance and good will when you say,’ hey let us do this together. Let us brainstorm for ideas… let us look up the Internet….’

8. Know what they are learning:

   Sometimes children forget about homework so it is essential that we ask them what had been done at school- ‘so what did you do in science today? Nowadays many parents form Whatsapp groups to discuss homework. It is important that parents also meet teachers regularly

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