HOMEWORK TIPS
1. Location, location, location
*Eliminate excess noise. Experiment to see if your child does better with light classical music on in the background.
*Avoid fluorescent or too bright lighting by using table and floor lamps to achieve the “just right” level of lighting.
2. Set up a routine
*Have a scheduled time and place to do homework.
*Stay in the room to provide guidance as needed, but make sure you are encouraging independence in completing the work.
*If afterschool is the best time for homework, give your child a 30-60 minute play break after school before starting homework.
3. Make homework manageable
*Planning ahead: Glance though your child’s homework to get an idea of how much time he or she will need to complete it
*Break it down: Find out whether time limits help or hinder your child’s work. You can also set up activity breaks between assignments as a reward system. Try covering parts of worksheets or cutting them into pieces to make them more manageable.
*Work smarter, not harder: Type work if not working on handwriting. Discuss with the child’s teacher which tasks are most important to complete.
*Give choices: You child may be more successful if they have some control in the task. Allow your child to choose which task to start with, what color pencil to use, etc.
4. Make homework fun
*Turn assignments into games when possible.
*Allow your child to do a fun task after homework or at the end of the week.
*Put on a funny “thinking cap” or change into cuddly pajamas for homework time.
5. Reinforcement
*Make rewards concrete, tangible and consistent.
*For some children, having the reward within sight may help remind them what they are working for. Others may get too distracted if they can see the reward while working.
