The Parent’s Guide to Homework

The Parent’s Guide to Homework

You probably thought that you were done with homework after your finished your schooling, but this is not the case if you have children. Although you will not be completing homework assignments for yourself, as a parent, you are tasked with helping your children during homework time. If this stresses you out, this parent’s guide to homework can help make you feel calmer and more in control during homework time.

Know what your children are working on

You can’t help your children if you have no clue what’s going on in the classroom. Make it a point to communicate both with teachers and with principals to find out what’s going on in the classroom and around the school. Many teachers send home a weekly or monthly newsletter that gives parents a heads up on the upcoming learning objectives. Once you find out what your children will be learning, be prepared to answer questions on those topics.

Don't give the answer

Homework is sent home with your children for a reason. It is a way for them to practice an important skill they are learning in the classroom. Whenever you help your children with homework, be helpful, but don’t do the work for them. If you complete the task yourself, even with your child sitting right there, you are only harming your child’s education.

Instead of giving away the answer, provide guidance to your children. If they are stuck on a particular problem, ask questions that could lead to them solving the problem on their own. You are still helping, but you are making them do most of the thinking.

Do your “homework” too

Most likely, you expect your children to sit down and complete their homework every day after school. Following a structured homework schedule after school helps your children understand how important homework really is. To help make this lesson hit home, do your “homework” at the same time as your children.

Your homework could be anything from completing paperwork from the office or sitting at the table to do small household tasks. In addition to setting a good example for your children, you will also be readily available to assist with any difficult problems.

Know when you get help

As your children go through school, you will be right there beside them, cheering them on and helping them out. There comes a point, however, where you might not be the help they need. If you know that you have trouble understanding a certain subject or if your children’s math class has gotten a little too advanced for you, you might want to consider hiring a tutor. A tutor will be able to offer your children the assistance needed to learn the content thoroughly. Paying a tutor to do this is definitely an investment you won’t regret.

No matter how old your school age children are, homework is an inescapable reality. Don’t fight this fact; instead, do your best to prepare your children for success.