10 Tips For More Productive Homework Time

"Time for you to do your homework." These seven words have the power to turn a child's mood from bright to dark in an instant. Like a light switch.

​Homework will probably never be something that your children look forward to, but there are some things that we can do as parents to at least make nightly homework a little less stressful. And at the same time provide us with an excellent opportunity to take a more proactive and collaborative role in our children's education. Some of these may seem obvious, but in the heat of a difficult homework night, can be easily forgotten!

1.Give them a choice
Have your child choose the time to do his/her homework. This time frame might change a little daily. When they choose to do it, they will do a better job than if they were forced to do it.
 
2.Have some fun first
Make sure your child has some physical activity/free play time/creativity time before they sit down to do homework. Have them play with friends, jump on the trampoline, play soccer in the backyard, create book covers for their fantasy comic book they create, etc. In other words, let them blow off some steam on their terms.
 
3.Location, location, location
The location of your child’s homework spot should be close to where you are. If he is tucked in a corner away from you, he’ll be less inclined to ask for help which could lead to frustration, low productivity and inevitably more arguments.
 
4.Work together
Helping your child with homework will make him/her look forward to homework time more than you think. This will lead to a stronger bond and appreciation between you and your child.
 
5.Fuel the mind
Having a snack before or during homework always help tired minds.
 
6.Prioritize
Teach your child to prioritize their homework. The easier stuff should be finished first, so more patience and effort can be reserved for the harder homework.
 
7.Encourage
Don’t throw threats out for not doing homework. Or hold back things like game playing or watching TV.  A threat is effective, if at all, only temporarily. The use of time, organizational skills, and self-control you will teach your child will stay with them all their lives.
 
8.Stay positive
If your child is not willing to sit and do homework, you yelling at them will never work. Even if you get them to sit down to do homework with yelling, the work will suffer and the lesson will not be learned. Try not to be too frustrated (I know...easier said than done).
 
9.Organize
If your child has a hard time remembering what homework is assigned for each class, have her/him keep a daily school journal and jot down every homework assignment after each class. Some schools already require this, but some rely on the kids to remember. Having a school journal keeps every requirement in check and all assignments organized.
 
10.Reward
Lastly, if your child has been through a lot of schoolwork during, and after school, make sure you reward them with your encouraging words.
And sometimes a little ice cream won’t hurt either!

Please let us know in the comments section if you have any homework techniques to share. They will definitely be appreciated!
 

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