Healthy homework habits can be hard to keep, and if you’re a parent who is struggling to instill those habits in your child, you’re not alone. Whether your child has just started grade school or has just entered high school, homework habits change and develop as their minds do. Regardless of which year of school your child is entering, creating sustainable and responsible homework habits is up to you as a team. Of course, if your child is frustrated with their work, procrastinating on projects, or having trouble retaining what they learn in class, it’s time for better habits!
Remember, every habit is built from patience, consistency, and personal accountability. Doing homework alone, and with a parent helps a chile develop the necessary responsibility and commitment to make time for their education. But habits take time. Practice makes perfect. With these tips, you can keep homework time positive and get your children engaged in their studies.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
The first goal when creating greater homework habits is to instill a consistent schedule. Of course, every student and their family is different. Sometimes life, work, and after school commitments can get in the way of consistent study time. The best thing to do is figure out when study and homework time is most effective for your child. Is it in the afternoon before dance class or after dinnertime? Make sure that whatever time you choose to keep each day is a time when your child still has energy and the ability to focus. It’s also essential to establish if your child works best by studying and completing homework in one solid block of time or over several shorter blocks of time. This will help you avoid the dreaded study burnout. Notice what works for your child and your family’s schedule, then create a plan and stay consistent!
GIVE THEM SPACE & KEEP IT CALM
It can be difficult to know when and when to not hover over your child as they study. Of course, you want to make sure that you’re there to help when you can, especially if your child tends to act up or have problematic behaviors when they sit down to concentrate. However, realize when you’re doing more harm than good. Give your child the space they need to prove they can responsibly do their work on their own. Give positive attention to positive study behaviors, keep study spaces calm, and set clear study rules.
KNOW WHEN TRADITIONAL WORKS & WHEN IT DOESN’T
There comes a point when you have to decide which traditional study methods are working and which are actually burdening homework time. Most of the time, issues derive from procrastinating completing homework, not being consistent with studies, or not communicating about what’s working and what’s not. However, there is the off chance that it’s not homework habits that are hindering your child’s education, but the school setting altogether.
Every child learns differently, and sometimes creating positive homework habits isn’t enough to keep your child engaged or to keep them caught up in their studies. If you notice your child is having issues within the classroom, whether it be from boredom or frustration with not being able to keep up, it might be time to look for alternatives to traditional schooling or public schooling. Look at your options, because sometimes it’s not the student, nor the lack of good habits, but the school setting itself.
School can be a joyful experience for any child. Making changes earlier is always better than later. These helpful hints and tricks can make the school year so much smoother you and your children. Make this year of schooling the best your child has ever experienced!
