Lesson 1: The Homework Dilemma
Organizing at Home
Homework Time Everyday
Check with your child's teacher to find out the amount of time homework should be taking each night, or if your school has a policy for amounts of homework per grade level. Set aside that amount of time and designate it as "Homework Time" on a nightly basis. On a given night, if your child has fewer assignments or finishes up early, the remaining time should be spent studying for an upcoming test, working on a long-range project, or reading a library book. If your child knows that 30 - 45 minutes will be spent on school related activities each night, he will be less likely to try to rush through assignments, or to skip them altogether. Be sure to talk to your child's teacher if he is taking significantly more time to complete his homework.
A Place to Study
Most elementary grade students need the consistency of a specific place to do homework each day. Depending upon your child, this may be a desk in his own room, a quiet place within sight of a parent, or right at the kitchen table where you are readily available to oversee the homework time. Wherever you and your child decide upon, be sure it is a quiet place and free from distractions such as the phone, TV, or noisy siblings.
Besides finding a homework place, you should also agree on a general time for homework. Will it be before dinner, or after some playtime? Does you child have music lessons or sports to work around? Those things should all be given consideration and a definite homework schedule should be set. When possible, siblings should all do homework at generally the same time.
Tool Time
Make a homework tool kit for your child. It should include items such as:
pencils
pens
markers
crayons
paper - writing and construction
ruler
scissors
tape
glue stick
dictionary
pencil sharpener
library card
computer and printer if possible
You will think of other items to add to this list as your child moves through the grades. The important thing is to have these important items nearby and handy, so that the homework time isn't interrupted by searches for needed materials.
Getting it Back to School
Nothing is more upsetting to a child or more frustrating to a parent than to have successfully completed homework assignments not arrive at school the next day. To help prevent this, encourage your child to carefully pack his backpack at the end of the homework session and double check that all assignments and materials are included. Find a spot to put backpacks near the front door, or coat closet so they will be easily spotted on the way to school in the morning.
References:
How to Help Your Child with Homework, Radencich: Chapter 1.
