Ah, the dreaded homework time! Tantrums, tussles, frustration, and headaches.
And depending on how old your child is, it will be a part of your life for many years to come. As a parent, you always want to help, but academic concepts can get tricky.
Homework helps your child develop study skills, fosters independence and responsibility, and increases their knowledge and comprehension of the material taught in school. It also teaches time management and fosters a positive attitude toward academics.
Unfortunately, homework can cause unnecessary frustration, which can prevent your child from enjoying the work and take away from the valuable lessons.
Without doing the work for them, how can you help your child?
First things first: Getting involved and interested in their work encourages their own enthusiasm. Go ahead and groan (internally!), but on the outside, try to display a positive approach to homework.
Your positivity will make a difference in your child’s approach to homework and learning in general. Your presence and support can create a positive learning environment.
Clue your child in on your own work projects – your own “homework”, so to speak. Relate how you may have to sometimes bring work home and how you choose to tackle it. Show them your spreadsheets or project plans so they can start to understand that homework is a necessary part of life.
Sit down and show your child how you would solve problems they struggle with, then finish the next one together before letting them try on their own. Instead of being in a different room on a call or watching TV, set aside time to read a book or check your emails while your child does their schoolwork.
Try to avoid forcing your child to complete their homework if they are overly frustrated. Instead, work together to create the best strategy for dealing with it:
Life is hectic for all. Allotting family time for study can help instil excellent study habits in your child. Set aside an hour after supper for homework, or any time you have the time to actively supervise.
Meet your child's teachers by attending school events like parent-teacher meetings. Keep in touch on school-related matters and ask about their homework policies and how you can get involved.
Help your child by talking to them about what they remember from class and steering them to the allocated tasks. If you find that your child is still lost, write a note to the teacher explaining that they don't understand the work and need further clarification.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.