Why did the student eat their homework?
Because their teacher said it was a piece of cake.
For most children, homework is anything but sweet. Luckily, however, there is a magic ingredient to make homework fun again, and that ingredient is you.
New research is revealing how powerful parental involvement can be, at home, and in the classroom. It turns out that a parent’s willingness to help their kid with homework has a bigger impact on their child’s success than any other academic factor.
Read on to learn about 7 powerful homework tips you can start using today.
1. Age Relevant Homework Tips
First on our list of homework tips, is creating age-relevant study sessions. The way you help your child with their homework will depend on how old your child is. While younger children may need more involvement, older kids, such as teenagers, often prefer independence.
If you’re helping an older child with their homework, and you don’t understand the material, you may want to hire a professional tutor. This article will focus on helping elementary-age school children accomplish their homework.
2. Create a Homework Zone
Creating a homework zone will help signal to a child’s brain the moment they sit down in the zone that it’s time to start thinking. Instead of having to deal with unexpected distractions, you can prove your homework zone to make it the most convenient area for you and your child.
Set up the homework zone in a room that does not have a television, such as a kitchen. Next, you want to make sure you have a clear working surface without any clutter.
3. Play Ambient Music
When parents play ambient music, it can help their children immerse themselves in the homework session. Instead of playing songs that have lyrics, play ambient or instrumental songs.
Examples of ambient music would be, ocean sounds, nature sounds, rain for sounds. You can find ambient music on YouTube, Pandora, and other streaming music services.
While instrumental music can be enjoyable, it can still be distracting at times. Intense classical songs can make learning stressful, while slow ones could make things boring. Instead, ambient sounds or music, are the safest way to keep things interesting, without stealing focus away from learning.
4. Have a Reward System
If you have a job, you know how sweet payday can be. Your children deserve to know that the hard work they put into their homework will also have a payoff. Create a reward system that works on a tiered structure.
For example, instead of having one static reward, such as the toy or treat, create a more interesting reward system that has levels. To create a reward system, you’ll have to come up with different winning categories and prizes.
One category can be for completing all their homework, while another category could be for getting good grades. One reward could be monetary, while another could be a privilege such as 15 minutes more television time.
It’s also a good idea to discuss the reasons for homework with your child. Let them know how their hard work will pay off later on in life.
5. Go on Field Trips
What subject are you helping your children learn in school? If you find that your child is particularly interested in a certain subject, embrace that by making your field trip. You can also create field trips for subjects that you notice your child isn’t connecting to on a personal level.
Here’s a shortlist of field trip locations:
- Zoo
- Nature Park
- River
- Bank
- Grocery store
You’ll see from the list above that the location for your field trip doesn’t have to be exotic or out of this world, but instead can be a regular place such as a bank or grocery store. If you’re working with your child on math techniques, have them help you total up the groceries as you put them in your cart.
If you’re working with your child to learn about different animal species, use the zoo as an opportunity to show them the species in action. Finally, it’s never too early to start teaching your children about money management. Taking your child on a trip to the bank with you can help teach them about finances, occupation opportunities, the economy, and so much more.
6. Create Study Buddies
Working on your child’s homework with them one-on-one is a great way to help them learn and retain the material. To take things one step further, go ahead and find another child in their class that can participate in these homework sessions.
Go to a PTA meeting and talk to one of the other parents. Let them know about the homework sessions you have been working on with your child, and invite their child to join. Next, talk about collaborating with another parent so that you can share the responsibilities.
Once, every other week, one parent can choose to host the homework study session. Soon, you’ll find that multiple children will probably want to join in on the sessions, as the excitement and engagement begin to grow.
It’s best to have the study sessions take place with students who are currently in the same classes as your child. This will help them work on the same material, while also creating an opportunity to socialize.
7. Take Lots of Breaks
Take frequent short breaks throughout your homework sessions. Remember, your child already spent all day in school, learning things, and expanding their minds.
They should be able to feel that home is a safe place where they can relax and unwind. Instead of going full force with your homework sessions, set a time limit, and take breaks throughout each session.
Make Learning Fun
Now you know about 7 homework tips you can begin using with your child today We hope that our article will be the guide you need to make learning fun.
Are you looking for more ways to help your child be the best student possible? For more pro parenting tips, check out the rest of this site.