Homework

Homework is a child issue and their responsibility. You need to:

• identify and resolve the ‘real issue’ that’s causing homework problems and
• do this in a way that teaches children how to solve their own problems.

Tips on how to halt homework issues
Having difficulty focusing	Plan homework time based on your child’s needs
Has a time management problem	Teach them how to schedule their time; hold them accountable
Doesn’t understand the homework	Ask questions that help them to figure out the answer, ask them “who else can help you?”
Forgets a book, lunch or homework	Teach organisational skills and have children set self-reminders; avoid reminding or rescuing.
Doesn’t see the value of homework	Avoid lecturing; ask questions like, “How can doing homework help you?” – See ‘The Hidden Curriculum of Life’ below.
Is bored	Let them choose or do extra educational activities after homework is done.

When children don’t do homework on purpose, it could be for one of the four following reasons:

• They may ‘act stupid’ so that teachers (or parents) will pay attention. Ignore the behaviour, not the child and involve children in meaningful ways.
• They might want to prove that they have power, by refusing to cooperate. Strive for a win-win solution. Set limits, shift focus to choices and disengage.
• They might not do homework to get revenge on a disliked teacher. Resolve the child’s hurt feelings FIRST. Discuss healthy alternatives for expressing hurt.
• They may not do their homework because they are so discouraged they have given up. Use descriptive encouragement. Focus on effort and improvement and break tasks into smaller steps and teach skills.

Five factors in establishing a healthy habit of studying.

• When to do homework.
  • Here the discipline of routine is key. Have a weekly timetable for what the child does every day on arriving home from school. Make time for lunch, homework, rest, electronics and family time. Get the child to make this timetable, it teaches them time management skills.
• Timeframes.
  • A timeframe is very difficult to implement. A strong student who is able to engage during class time, will often complete their ‘homework’ in class or relatively quickly at home. A child who has learning challenges can spend hours battling and still not understand the material. Such children will need intervention rather than additional homework time.
  • In Primary School, daily, your child should:
    • read
    • do mathematics
    • revision of work covered the previous week, for plus/minus ½ an hour. This will prevent cramming for tests (short term memory) which has a mindset of passing, rather than getting to grips with material (long term memory) for personal growth, to reach a future dream or aspiration.
• Where will the studying take place?
  • Preferably in the same room each day; a well-lit, enjoyable space with fresh air.
• Position while doing homework.
  • This should be sitting straight up at a desk, not lying on the floor or bed.
• Background noise.

Instrumental music may play quietly in the background; music with singing is a distraction.