Halt the Homework Hassles How Parents Can Help Their Kids Succeed
by Lara Krupicka
Be Informed
ulie Jung-Kim drinks a lemon-lime soda as daughter Isabella prattles about the school day. They sit companionably at the kitchen table, Isabella talking between bites of her snack. It’s a pre-homework ritual that suits them both. Jung-Kim takes Isabella’s afterschool schedule seriously. She knows following it makes a big difference in what happens with Isabella’s homework. But her homework routine didn’t happen by accident, nor did it come together overnight. Jung-Kim has learned what works and what doesn’t. And what works, stays. If you’ve struggled over homework in your household, don’t give up. You may be only a few tweaks away from a more productive process. Here are some tips from experts and parents for minimizing homework trouble:
Knowing ahead of time what the school and teacher expect of your child can eliminate many frustrations. Some school districts post their suggested guidelines on a district website. These might include standard amounts of homework to expect per grade. Many teachers also explain their homework standards during open house at the start of each school year. If not, don’t be afraid to ask your child’s teacher early on about what work you can expect at home. Neil McNerney, a counselor and author of Homework: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Out Without Freaking Out, strongly encourages parents to attend their school’s “back to school night.” “Learn as much as you can about each subject, homework policies, tests, etc.,” he says. “Then, review this information with your kids to make sure you are all on the same page.” Discuss homework expectations with your child either before school starts or on a weekend when there isn’t any homework to be done. Avoid introducing the topic in the midst of a homework session.
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Share what you and the teacher will be asking of him and how that may have changed from the previous school year. Make sure to also ask your child what he expects. Open the lines of communication right from the start.
Establish a Routine Gwen Stephens, a teacher and mom, also believes in the value of routine. “Establish a time every day that homework is to be done,” she says. “For some kids it works best to get it done right away. Other kids need time to chill out.” The key: Determine what works best for your child and stick to that. When there’s a rhythm in place, kids learn to roll with it. Routine alone can smooth out problems with homework – particularly in assuring a prompt start. For Jung-Kim, the routine involves a quiet environment. Usually she picks Isabella up from school two hours before she retrieves her son from daycare. The two enjoy some one-on-one time at first. Then it’s time for distraction-free homework. No television, no atlantaparent.com