School is important for child development, and it is about much more than just learning how to read and do math. School is a place where children learn important social skills, and these will carry with them for the rest of their lives, but, all of this does not mean that children will love school.
Children are known to complain about going to school, and they complain even more about having to do homework. While there have been some who have argued the importance of homework, and if it is really necessary, there are a lot of classes that still assign it.
Starting from a young grade and going into high school, homework is brought home every night. This can be hard for children, and it can be frustrating for parents who try and help their children with their homework, but they are either not teachers or don’t remember how to solve long division anymore.
Homework can lead to a lot of yelling and tears from both child and parent, and that is why parents are always looking for ways to make it easier and to make sure it gets done quicker, and we have some tips that should help.
Get It Done
A strategy that works for a lot of families is to do homework as soon as you get home. According to KidsHealth, this is a great time to get the homework done, and then it is put away for the night and children can use the rest of their time for whatever they would like. It can also be done in the kitchen while mom is making dinner, so she is there if they have any questions. Since children may still be in a school (mindset) it may be easier for them to focus if they do it as soon as they are home.
Find A Quiet Place
Ideally, a child would have a quiet place where they can do their homework in peace. According to OFY, if a child has a designated space to do homework, it can help them concentrate, and they can get it done quicker. This means there shouldn’t be a TV in the room, and they should not have any cell phones with them (unless they are using them for homework in older grades). If you can set them up in a separate room away from younger siblings, this may be the best option. They can focus on their work, and get it done quicker.
Let Them Take Breaks
If there is a night when the homework seems to be more than usual, let your child take breaks. According to The Princeton Review, this can make homework a lot easier. It may seem counter-intuitive if a child wants to get it done quickly, but it may work out in their favor. If they take a lot of breaks during a big homework night, it lets them refresh their mind. If they force themselves to work through it, they could find their mind getting a bit foggy which can make it harder for them to focus, and it could end up taking longer for them to do their homework.
Sources: KidsHealth, OFY, The Princeton Review