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Homework is one of those "dirty" words that can send any family afternoon into a tizzy, if planning is not done ahead of team. For most families, "homework" marks a time of struggle, confusion, and challenge. But that doesn't have to be the case for your family! Here are a few helpful hints to make this afternoon challenge less hectic and more manageable!
One of the first things to do is to create an afternoon schedule that sets your child up for success. Once you get home, establish a routine. Allow your child to unwind a bit. This can be as little as 15 minutes or as long as half an hour. Set the expectations clearly for your child. When children know the expectations ahead of time, it helps them mentally prepare. This time of unwinding can consists of changing into more comfortable clothing, grabbing a snack, and getting their homework ready. You can give them a timer, if needed, but setting aside time to unwind after a busy day is very helpful and necessary, before requiring your child to get ready to work again!
The next crucial step in supporting your child is to take a few minutes to look over your child's homework before he/she starts. Talk over what they need to accomplish, during this time of working on homework assignments. You can usually figure out an estimated time of completion together. Go over the details together for each assignment. Once your child is prepared and ready to begin, you can set a timer for half way through the completion time. This will give you a chance to allow your child to work independently and then remind you to come back to check on your child's progress. Stopping at the half way point, helps your child learn to be aware of their time and it also helps them complete assignments in a timely manner. Sometimes they enjoy the challenge of "beating the timer." Knowing that you are there supporting them and aware of their effort, brings peace to an often hectic time around the house.
Next, create a homework center for your kids! Whether it be your kitchen table or a table in your family room, make doing homework a breeze by providing your child with the materials and supplies they need to get right to work. Have a tray or shoebox stocked with homework necessities like, sharpened pencils, fun erasers, glue, tape, a stapler, crayons, colored pencils, a ruler, and any other special school supplies you can think of! By doing this, you are showing your child that their success is important to you and that you want them to be successful in completing their homework.
Another great system to add to your "homework center" is an incentive chart. At the end of the day, an incentive sticker can be earned for doing a great job while working on homework. At the beginning of the week, you can set a goal together. If five stickers are accomplished, your child can choose a special activity to celebrate. It could be an ice cream cone at your favorite ice cream spot. It can be spending $5 at the Dollar Tree or a special trip to a local park/library with the whole family. You can come up with incentive trip ideas as a family, and then work towards one each week.
Finally, establish a routine each day. Children thrive under a routine. Obviously, things happen, so flexibility is important too. By creating the intention for your child to be successful, when it comes to homework, and setting these simple ideas into motion, you will motivate and encourage your child to work the homework process each day with excellence and ease. These simple steps can save you and your child from hours of frustration and stress. Remember that planning, with a purpose, will result in providing a successful foundation for your child to learn and be prepared for each new day! Do these simple five steps and you will help your child to slay the homework beast and have a winning attitude and mindset towards homework and school!