Our children need a little support or motivation from parents to get homework done, while others may not need such support. Here my concern is about the little ones; the older they get, they will be self-supportive with regard to their homework. But in the midst of busy schedules of the parents, these few tips might be helpful.
Here are a few tips that can help the parents train their children in the habit of being responsible for their assigned tasks.
Set a Schedule
Whether it is right after the school or after a snack, or after dinner—depending on your schedule—set a time for homework that is fixed. Strictly follow that time table every day. This is a way to form a habit, which helps our children to be regular. It’s easier to form the habit of doing the homework daily at a fixed time; but it may not be that easy if the homework time is random. For the weekends, try to work out in advance with your children if they will do their homework on Friday evening or on Saturday, in order to avoid having to face cold sweats on Sunday evenings.
Determine a Place
Parents should decide a place that is the most convenient for you and the quietest for them: their bedroom, a home office, or the kitchen … and don’t change it! According to their age and needs, you can decide how close you need to be—not necessarily next to them, but close enough to be available.
Get Organized
For writing assignments, children should have a draft notebook that stays at home rather than loose sheets. Thus, you’ll be able to check their work for mistakes and help them go over their own work. If you have younger children who don’t have homework yet, explain to them that you need to be available for the older ones, and give them a task they can do on their own.
Teach Good Habits
Doing as much as they can on their own, checking their own work when it’s done, emptying their pencil sharpener when it’s full, asking for a tube of glue when it’s empty, storing their backpack … These are among the many habits children are quite capable of acquiring, and which will help them gain autonomy. Don’t do things for them that they themselves can do.