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Helping Kids with Homework

Homework assignments, completed successfully, reinforce what children learn in the classroom and build confidence in the next day's activities. But the value of homework extends beyond the subject matter. It can help children develop good habits, including self-discipline and responsibility. Parents and guardians are essential to the process. Homework can help parents learn about their children's educational growth and ways of thinking. But getting the homework done can be challenging for children and parents.

Learn more about:

• Top Ten Homework Helping Tips
• Helpful Hints for Scheduling
• Tools for Tackling Homework
• Other Resources
• E-mail This Information to A Friend
• Other Topics in The Consumer Focus Archive

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Top Ten Homework Helping Tips

1. Set a daily schedule for homework and put the schedule where you will see it often. The best schedule and length of time will depend on your child.
2. Pick a well lit, fairly quiet place for your child to study. Make sure that necessary supplies are on hand and, if it is possible, let your child decorate their space with their favorite handmade artwork.
3. Remove distractions such as the television, loud noises and, if possible, noisy toddlers. Ideally study areas should be away from windows with distracting views.
4. Set a good example by reading and writing yourself during 'study time' and encourage learning activities such as letting your child write out the grocery list.
5. Show interest by reviewing your child's homework and talking about school activities in family conversations.
6. Be available for questions and look over completed assignments.
7. Children learn in different ways, and it will be easier for you to help if you understand something about your child's learning style.
8. Help your child get organized. Put an assignment book or calendar in a place where you will see it often and record, or have your child record, when assignments are due.
9. Encourage good study habits. Help your child get started early when he or she has to do research reports or other big assignments and give practice tests.
10. Talk about the assignments. Talking can help him or her think through an assignment and break it down into small, easy-to-handle pieces.

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Helpful Hints for Scheduling

A good schedule depends on your child's age, outside activities, temperament and learning abilities. For instance, one youngster may work best in the afternoon after an hour of play, and another may be more efficient after dinner. Outside activities, such as sports or music lessons, may mean that you need a flexible schedule. Your child may study after school on some days and in the evening on others. If there isn't enough time to finish homework, your child may need to drop some outside activity.

Older students will probably be able to make up their own schedule, but younger students will need some assistance. Write out the schedule and put it in a place where you will see it often, such as on the refrigerator door or in the student's study area. Monitor the schedule to make sure that it continues to fit your child's needs.

One way to tackle a schedule is to set a required amount of time that your child must devote to homework or some other learning activity each school night (the length of time will vary depending upon the child's age - see chart below). For instance, if your seventh-grader knows she's expected to spend an hour doing homework, reading or visiting the library, she may be less likely to rush through assignments so that she can watch television. A required amount of time may also discourage her from "forgetting" to bring home assignments, and help her establish a routine.

The amount of time your child spends on homework may vary from the above guidelines. It will depend on the subject, the complexity of the assignment, and your child's learning level. Talk with your child's teacher if you are concerned about either too much or too little homework.

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Tools for Tackling Homework

Listed below are some homework essentials. Your child's teacher may require additional items. This list is to help you get started with the basics.

If you can't provide all the needed supplies, check with your child's teacher, school guidance counselor or principal about possible sources of assistance.

For books and other information resources, check with the school library or local public library. Some libraries have homework centers designed especially to assist children with school assignments. There may even be tutors and other kinds of individual assistance.

Check back on September 16 for more tips, tools and resources available for students.

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Other Resources

This is just a brief overview. For more information on how to help your child with homework and related issues check out these resources from the World Wide Web.

• Publications available for ordering from the Family Page
• Publications available for ordering from the Education Page

Websites*:

• U.S. Department of Education
• No Child Left Behind
• Afterschool.gov
• Connect For Kids
• National Education Association
• American Library Association
• DiscoverySchool.com
• Education World: The Educator's Best Friend

* Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory.

*If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the content of these websites.

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