Homework Survival Guide
Whether they’re in the midst of early phonic skills or GSCEs, supporting our children with homework is a well-known challenge (or often a battle) that parents have to face. The constant internal struggle of “do I force them to do it and sit with them” or “let them take the lead and learn from their mistakes”. But there is a middle ground.
Here are some tips that might help.
Find a routine — Kids thrive on routine. Having a set time when they do their homework can help them manage expectations. Don’t forget to help them understand that the schedule will also support their need for downtime and fun with their friends.
Checklist – We all like a list that we can tick things off. For children, ticking off homework is not only rewarding, but helps them know what else there is to do.
Timers – You’ll find that teachers tend to say how long a piece of homework should take or how long they’d like the child to work for. Use a sand timer or digital countdown, so your child can see how well they’re doing and what’s left… and have a motivation ready for when it’s done.
Support – Whether it’s a case of sitting beside your child or just being in the same room can help them feel less isolated. With a younger child, this time can be reframed to “quality one to one time”. So within this time, we can do homework but we’ll also play a board game, do a puzzle, or read a book. For the older child, just being there to answer a question is reassuring itself.
Quiet place – choose a quiet space to do homework without distractions from others. If writing, it is best your child is sitting at a table with their feet well supported (not dangling) but if they are reading or discussing a topic, this could be done on a beanbag or snuggled up on the sofa with a parent.
Snacks – Chewing and crunching is a great sensory tool to help your child stay regulated, alert and focused. Have you ever noticed adults in long work meetings start to bite their nails or place their pen in their mouths? This is a subconscious way of staying alert. Having a bowl of a healthy snacks can really support the homework process. The chewier and crunchier the better e.g. raw carrot or dried apricots or banana slices.
Homework is a routine and a discipline. The quicker the pattern can be established in home life the more automatic it will become.
Lou Race
Occupational Therapist