Tips For Helping Children to Manage Their Homework Load
From the moment children begin their education they are handed the responsibility of managing and completing homework and extra studies, a responsibility that parents often share. While it can be important for your child to develop an ability to manage this independently, there are ways that a parent can help to lighten the load.
Recruit Help - many parents find the responsibility of overseeing children’s workload impossible due to time constraints, or a gap in their personal knowledge. Asking for help is okay, whether that’s through more knowledgeable relatives or enquiring about after school clubs.
Hiring a tutor is great for filling subject-specific gaps in your child’s knowledge, whereas a Governess is an excellent option for families who require full professional academic support. A Governess is a nanny who will take a particular interest in the child’s intellectual development. Recruiting hired help is a fantastic way to fast track your child to academic success. A traditional nanny is perfect for the busy parent, as the nanny will be able to supervise homework and help to plan your child’s time proficiently.
Show an Interest - ask your child about what they are studying and be familiar with which upcoming tests and assignments that they have. Being aware, and showing that you are, can motivate your child and help you to understand their commitments. You will also be able to use this knowledge to help them with tests by quizzing them.
For younger children it can be useful to discuss homework with their teachers, understanding how involved that they wish for parents to be and finding out what the expectations are.
Work Together to Create a Plan - first you need to know how much work your child is being given, and then work together to allocate the time to complete each task. The plan you both create could include a set of homework rules, such as no television/video games until homework is complete for the evening.
Working together will teach your child about deadlines and managing their own time, whilst showing them that you are aware of how much work that they have - creating accountability.
Provide Them with a Workspace - if you were forced to work from home at any point during the pandemic you’ll know that concentrating in the home environment isn’t always easy to do. Having a dedicated workspace will help your child to focus and achieve a higher standard of work. This can be a desk in the quiet of their bedroom, or a dining table where all of the children complete homework together in order for you to oversee them.
Be Present - you may not be able to help with their homework load, but being physically present could motivate them to complete their work and help them to be less distracted. Even if you are completing other tasks nearby, your presence could be both a comfort and a motivation to your child.
If work commitments mean that you are not able to be present, consider the benefits of hiring a Nanny or a Governess. Investing in your child’s education is investing in their future.
Refresh Your Knowledge - a common struggle parents face when asked for homework help from their child is a gap in their academic knowledge. This could be because you have forgotten the subject they’re studying or you never learnt it, either way brushing up on your basic understanding of the subjects they are studying will prepare you for inevitable questions.
Reaching out to other parents when unanswerable questions arise can help you to find the answers, but if you are really stuck you or your child could ask the teacher for assistance. Additionally, a nanny or governess is likely to have the knowledge you lack.
It’s important to remember that homework is usually assigned within your child’s academic level, based on current studies and in order to assess their progress. Try to only assist your child, and not do the work for them as this could be more of a hindrance.
