Give Homework Help to Your Kids
Homework is a constant in kids’ lives. Every night it seems you’re asking your kids the same question, “Do you have homework?�? While getting your kids to do their homework can be a battle, it doesn’t have to be. Some kids don’t do their homework because they are distracted by siblings, TV and toys. Some kids don’t do their homework because they get frustrated when they don’t know an answer or when they don’t understand something.
As a parent, there are a few things you can do to give your child some homework help. Whether your child gets distracted or confused, you can make all the difference by setting them on the right track.
For kids who are easily distracted, you need to work to minimize their distractions. Here are several ways to do that:
- Create a study time. You need to set up a time that is exclusively for studying. And you need to facilitate and enforce that time. It may mean that dinner is always at the same time every night so there is time for studying afterward.
- Create a study space. Your child needs a desk in their room where they can do homework and study. It needs to be a comfortable place with drawers and a lamp and some school supplies. A paperback dictionary is a great addition.
- Use the “off�? switch. Many children are distracted by the sound of the TV or radio. To help your child concentrate, make study time a no TV or radio time, as well. If you have other children who don’t have homework, this can be a reading time for them.
- Set up breaks and rewards. Younger children have a hard time concentrating for longer periods of time. Give them breaks where they can read a book, play with a sibling, or swing on the swing set for just 5 minutes. This will help them to stay focused and give them a reward for their work.
Your child may have a difficult time understanding a homework problem or can’t get the homework help they need for a project. If that’s the case, here are some tips for helping your child with their homework:
- Carefully read the assignment. Many times when a child is having a problem with the assignment, it’s because they are not reading it correctly. Re-read the assignment with them and help them understand what is being asked of them. It’s important for them to fully understand the instructions before getting started.
- Help them learn concepts. Other times children have problems with assignments because they don’t understand a concept. If you know the concept, teach it to them using patience and whatever aids that are helpful for your kids. Some kids learn by hearing, some by seeing and some by doing. Be sensitive to your child’s learning language.
- Direct them to help. If you can’t help your child with a homework assignment, direct them to someone who can. Maybe they have a fellow student who can help. You can facilitate a study time with the 2 children.
If your child needs more homework help than you can give, there are many homework help sites out there. These can help kids understand concepts and even give them the ability to chat online with a teacher’s assistant to get explanations. Most of these sites require a membership fee, but if your child is constantly stumping you with homework questions, it might be a great answer:
- Tutor.com
- HomeworkHelp.com
- BrainMass
- TutorVista
Helping your children succeed in their education is one of the greatest things you can do for them, no matter how you do it. By teaching a child to take their homework seriously and to be diligent and never give up, you can set your child up for success in the future.
