The horrors of Homework!
In primary school, homework is as much about learning the skills of time management and the value of solving problems on their own as it is about practising what they have learnt in class. If we go about it the right way we can help instil in them some valuable life skills such as self motivation, responsibility for their own learning and how their actions will produce different consequences.
Sit down together as a family and explain that you want to create a regular time where you will ensure there is a peaceful environment in which they can do their homework if they wish. Let them know that your children’s homework is their responsibility. Your only responsibility is to make sure there is a space and an opportunity which is conducive to doing their homework.
Work out a daily schedule that includes a ‘quiet time’ or ‘study time’ of around 30 minutes each weekday evening (or morning if it suits) where there are no noisy distractions such as TV or computer games. This quiet time doesn’t have to be for homework specifically. Explain that they can do anything in this time that is quiet and peaceful. It can be for homework if they wish but it can also be for quiet reading, colouring in, a game of Uno etc as well.
Homework often involves some computer work so it’s probably a good idea to have them sitting in perhaps a more open family area where the computer should also be. That way you can ensure the focus of quiet activity is maintained and be available to them for help when needed. Mum and Dad can also take advantage of this time to maybe read the newspaper, organise paperwork, fold the washing, talk quietly etc. Once the time is set, work hard to stick to it so that it becomes reliable and shows that you too value their education.
You might like to put on some quiet background music and have several CDs which they can take turns each night to choose from. You may like to light a scented candle (somewhere safely out of reach) to add to the peaceful atmosphere.
If they want to do their homework at another time that’s okay too, the responsibility rests squarely with them whether they use the ‘quiet time’ or not. It also means that younger siblings who are not having homework yet will also be doing more quiet activities as well eliminating the feeling often felt by the ones who have to do homework that they are missing out in some way.
As the quiet time becomes routine you will most likely find your children will begin to use that time for homework anyway because it is a time that they can rely on where there will be minimal distraction.
Some tips:
Help without over helping – Only help if your child asks for it. Don’t do problems or assignments for your children. If you do decide to help, concentrate on asking questions rather than telling. Questions such as, “What parts do you understand?” “Can you give me an example?” What do you think the answer might be?” How could you find out the answer?”
Teach them time management skills with their homework. The skill of ‘chunking’ is used in high schools where students are given several weeks to complete an assignment. Before they begin they learn to first set out a schedule of when each chunk or section of the assignment will be done and in what stages in order to complete their assignments. This is a great concept to teach primary school children as well. Usually they are given several nights to complete their homework. If they can break up their homework into small segments that they can complete each day, the idea of homework can become far less daunting.
Encourage your children when they complete their homework by themselves. Describe the journey they took to get there e.g. “I saw how you got yourself organised really well before you started and that you followed the directions in your book exactly”.
When your child fails to complete their homework don’t be afraid to let them experience the natural consequences of that too. Primary school is the time for them to learn and experience first hand the consequences of their own actions both positive and negative.
Anytime is a good time for the quiet time if it suits your family. It could be the time after dinner and used as part of the bedtime routine e.g. 6pm dinner; 6.30pm quiet time; 7pm bath; 7.30pm bedtime. If you want to do it after school remember that they have been sitting in class all day so they may need some time out after school to talk about their day, have a snack, get changed and generally wind down. About 20-30 minutes is generally a sufficient amount of time for this and gives kids a defined break between school time and home time.
