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As a parent, you are your child’s most important teacher.
Getting yourself involved with your child’s education can lead to his better performance in school and in life, too. In fact, myriad of studies have shown that what a family does is more relevant to a child’s school success than how much money the family makes or how much education the parents have. Ongoing series of research also claim that “students with involved parents or other caregivers are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, possess better social skills, and show improved behavior.”
To reap off the above-mentioned benefits, here are a few awesome ways to assist with homework.
Make study time your playtime.
Instead of other activities, use bonding hours for studying. Children, especially those in grade school, are more likely to be adaptive of what they used to do. Have a regular schedule of doing homework. This will also benefit your children’s time management. Observe which time would work best for your child. Review says that most children are more productive earlier in the evening while some like to have a break and a snack before hitting the books after school. Others prefer to get homework out of the way first and relax after. In which way, be sure to schedule a regular time.
Set up a study–friendly environment:
Provide your child with a suitable environment for studying, ensuring he is comfortable yet productive. See to it that he is away from any distraction (e.g. television, smartphones and even siblings) or noise. Such distractions can make your child lose his focus and can hinder absorption of knowledge.
Make his study area available of right educational materials including pens, paper, dictionary and the like. Help him be responsible by letting how him look over what he will be needing before actual study time.
Be a good example:
According to an article from KidsHealth, children are more likely to follow their parents’ examples than their advice. Know that your child absorbs more of your action than what you are saying. If possible, do things related to what he is doing; you can look over family’s monthly budget while your child is doing his Math assignment or check and respond to emails while he’s performing his homework for English.
Not only you would be acting as a role model, this too will help to normalise the process of homework as your child will see that everyone does it and that they are not alone with tasks on hand. It will thus demonstrate to your child that homework is very much part of adult life too.
You can use a dry – erase board to keep track of your child’s assignments and projects. Update the board whenever new assignments are assigned and as projects are completed. This is to prevent the stress of late homework.
Teach only and don’t overdo tasks:
Remember, you are only to offer assistance. Do not overdo things as it is far from helping him and it can only set him back to his class. Instead, aid him to fully understand the task/s but refrain from giving him answers. They won’t learn if they don’t think on their own and make their own mistakes. Letting them do what they need to will improve their independence and decision – making.
Let him take a break:
Do not put too much pressure to your child. Making him hunch over his desk for long hours would not mean more absorption of knowledge. In fact, there is what called The Break Zone program which is designed based on a scientific research claiming that “the human brain can only take in up to 45 minutes of information before it starts to decrease its capacity to absorb anything.”
Considering your child’s young age, he surely needs a break from all his lectures and assignments. Have him stretch, play a quick game, or eat snacks before returning to work on his assignments.
Praise works and efforts; reward if possible:
You may do this by posting on the refrigerator an excellent test or output of your child. Show him that you are proud; at times, you can mention his achievements to your relatives (but not too much).
Simple rewards could also mean a thing to your child; a pizza over the night will do!
Be attentive with possible signs of frustration:
Regularly talk to your child and know his what abouts. Check in on him every so often, look for signs of struggle or if he is on a same question for a while. Let him pause if you see him stressed over his assignment/s. Avoid expecting too much from him; however, do not tolerate his mistakes. If ever he showed a failed exam, tell him you believe that he can do better the next time. You can always make him feel motivated without breaking his heart.
Assisting with homework should not only reinforce children’s learning inside the classroom, this also serves an open opportunity for children’s independent learning and research skills development. However, as children, they still need aid and appropriate guidance especially from their parents and/or guardians. It is always important to know that sending your children to school won’t mean being free from the responsibilities. All parents should perform their roles in order to see desired results. After all, what’s the most significant is the children’s well – being.
About the Author
Wade is an essayist at wedoessay.com He incorporates nature’s beauty in his writing. Besides excellence, he puts his lovely wife and two kids at the center of his craft. He is fond of physical contact sports and considers South America as a haven for tourists.