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Supervising Homework in a Busy Home

Supervising homework in a busy home is a challenge for any parent. In order to be successful at this task, you need to have realistic expectations of both you child and yourself.

Purpose of homework in elementary school

The purpose and amount of homework differs depending upon the grade level of the child. Younger elementary school children have homework designed to practice skills taught in class. Perhaps they have math problems that serve to reinforce a skill just taught by their teacher or independent reading to practice their reading skills. Often they will have "reports" that are designed to give the children experience using reference materials. A child should never have something for homework that he has not seen before in school. New skills are not taught by homework.

Purpose of homework in middle and high school

Homework gets more difficult when one moves into the later years of middle school and into high school. Students are expected to study material learned in class and to do independent work at home. At this level, students should be taking the responsibility for their own learning. Your role is to support your child by making sure that he gets help if needed. It is important that students in high school learn to take responsibility for their own studies and assignments

The Parent's role

Elementary school children often need help in getting organized to do their homework. They also often need you to look over their shoulder and help when necessary. Your supervision plays a key role in the success of your child. Realistically, you are probably pressed for time particularly if you are working parents and cannot easily set aside an uninterrupted time to help their children with homework.

A realistic plan is to set aside the dinner preparation time as homework time. In this way your child will have some time to transition when they come home from school and play with their friends. If they are in day care they might have already had time to play by the time you get home. It is better not to leave homework for late in the evening when both you and your child are tired.

Your child can work at the kitchen table while you prepare dinner. No television needs to be turned on although a radio can be on as long as your child does their work. Music often helps children to block out the external stimuli and enables them to concentrate without being distracted.

You can give your child a small snack to nosh on while doing homework. Vegetables or fruit work well. While you are cooking, you can interact with your child, giving help where and when needed.

Helping with organization

Some children have a hard time getting organized. Parents can help these children by having a "to do" list. One can quickly make a list with their child at the beginning of the homework session. For example, the list may read: 1. Do math paper. 2. Read one chapter in your chapter book. Parents can also keep a "homework kit" in the kitchen. The kit can have sharp pencils, crayons, a ruler, and other items a child might regularly need at homework time.

Problems

If your child seems to have too much homework it is time to discuss the matter with her teacher. Young children still need time to play outside with their friends and keep up other interests. If you set the scene realistically, your child will be able to complete their homework in a reasonable time and get about their other activities.

(BBF)