Do Create a Space There needs to be a special area dedicated for your child to do homework. Whether that's at her own desk in a quiet room, or the kitchen table with everyone out of the room. It needs to be dedicated for homework. Keep it away from distractions like television or roaming siblings.
Do Have a Set Homework Time Whether it's directly after school or later in the evening, be sure to sit them down for homework at the same time every day. It can be a lot easier to get your child to focus when homework is a part of their daily routine.
Do Use Praise as a Motivator Children respond to praise, it will work every time. It will also offer the added benefit of building their self-esteem when it comes to homework, and ultimately, life. No matter what the age, your child will work harder and become more focused with praise.
Do Help Them Research What Interests Them Show them that learning does not have to be a bore. While you're helping them keep an eye out for any aspect of their homework that interests them. Did they seem especially interested in comets while doing his science homework? Or did she think that the stories of the Cherokee was fascinating? Grab that interest and run with it. Help her look up the history of those stories, or take him on a star gazing expedition. This can show them that learning goes beyond the daily grind of homework and school, it can be fun and self-guided too.
Don't Do Their Homework for Them We've all been there, that moment when it's growing too late in the night, or our children are just dragging their feet. It can be tempting just to do it for them. Avoid this no matter how late it gets or how much they procrastinate. Don't give them the answer to the algebra problem. Instead help them to figure it out. Guide them towards the right answer, don't just give it to them.
Don't Be a Bully There are some parents out there who lose focus on how they talk to their kids when it come to homework. They get frustrated and become the bully in an effort to just get their kids to get the homework done. Don't use denigration as a motivator. Phrases like "don't be stupid" or "quit being so lazy and just do it" are useless. Calling someone stupid does not motivate him or her to prove you wrong. It just beats them down until they start to believe it. Homework time should not be aggressive and argumentative. Keep it calm and patient.
Homework does not have to be a chore. With praise for good works, patient parents, and a little quiet, kids can get focused and learn how to work hard for those good grades.
