“To-Dos” For Establishing Homework Routines

With some effort and consistency, your child will develop healthy study habits that will surely benefit them in the long run.

1.    Establish a regular time and place for homework. The time and place may not be the same everyday due to extracurricular activities and/or parents’ work schedule. And that is okay. Creating a predictable routine is key. Some days homework can be completed as soon as you get home. Other days, it will be completed after soccer practice. As long as a time and place are established, it is totally okay if it's not the same every day of the week.

2.    Allow your child to take a break when they feel overwhelmed. Sometimes all they’ll need is a quick reset, stretch, bathroom break, a short walk, or some deep breathing to stay motivated and focused. This will help them complete homework quicker and more efficiently.

3.    Be available to help them or to answer questions. When your child first starts to be assigned homework, you might have to sit with your child to do homework. As they get older and as you implement a consistent routine, your child will naturally become less dependent on your help. However, they may still have questions about their homework.

4.    Allow your child to make mistakes. Answering questions, guiding them, reteaching, and clarifying the directions is totally okay. Doing the homework assignments for them or telling them the answers is not okay.

5.    Make sure they have all the supplies and tools they need to complete their homework. Having easy access to the supplies and tools that they need means less interruptions and more productivity.

6.    Check-in with your child regularly while they are completing homework. This will keep them accountable for completing the homework efficiently and will help ensure that they are staying on task.

7.    Celebrate their accomplishments. As you establish homework routines, celebrate their accomplishments as they follow the routines and complete their assignments. Praise them for their hard work and effort.

8.    Help your child develop good study habits. Create a plan for homework completion and break up their work into manageable chunks to be completed over time. Use visuals such as an assignment list or a timer.

9.    Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If your child is struggling with a skill, talk to their teachers, school counselors, or hire a tutor.

10.  Get creative! Homework is not always a preferred activity and so if the assignment allows you to, make it fun! Make up a game, make it a race, or have your child participate in a preferred activity once their homework is done.

Have any more questions on how to help your child? I share parenting tips, ideas, and strategies DAILY! Check us out HERE or schedule a coaching call with me! I would love to chat with you!