Getting the Homework Done

One of the many concerns of parents, and sometimes grandparents, aunts and uncles, is getting homework done in a timely manner. Just as you are wrapping up summer and getting supplies purchased for school, this deep worry tends to settle into your mind. How will they do this year? Is there anything more you can do to help them? The answer is a resounding YES!

1) Set up a place, quiet and secluded (but within your ever watchful supervision) where your younger children can do their homework. Older children and teenagers won’t need as much immediate supervision, but will do well to have their own, private study area complete with all the aids that increase the likelihood of studying well: a desk, drawers for paper supplies, bookshelves, a sturdy chair, and a good light.

I know that some families have a quiet hour after school when the kitchen table is the “homework” table for younger children, but the rules include no talking, no face-making, and no silly noises. In other words, there is a serious attempt to keep them focused on their work. Older children retired to their individual rooms or study areas to focus on their school commitments.

When the homework is ready to be checked, this mother quietly talks to the younger children in the same room, but a far corner, about what has been done right and wrong. After making corrections, the children are free to leave the “homework” table and pursue other, more attractive play activities.

As time passes, the success of this mother’s children has proven to be exceptional in school. They return day after day with mostly correct homework, thus gaining confidence that learning happens in their life two times over: once at school and again with their personal tutor, their own mother.

For as long as they are willing, teenagers also bring their homework to be check by one of these parents, thus insuring that four eyes have looked at the work. This increases the chances of correct work being handed in.

I know other parents who have found the incredible advantage of a personal desk in the child’s bedroom. This is very helpful for homework and other paper projects to their own specific area. With a small overhead bookshelf, personal office supplies, and a good light, homework time also becomes a time to be alone, to think, to wonder, and to dream (which sometimes isn’t exactly the idea). But if the child is left in his room until the homework is done and can’t do anything until then, they soon get to the task.

2) Have a regular time for homework. I know some parents who let their children play with friends for an hour after school lets out and then the family gathers back home for homework. This tends to get out the wiggles, refresh their minds, and make them more likely to get it done expediently.

Other parents find that it is better to feed their children a snack, pull out the books, and get the homework done before any friends are allowed into the house or the children are allowed to go out and play.

3) Motivate with before… Children will do little, if anything, without some motivation that will keep their energy up through the process of homework. It is helpful to always remind them of something wonderful, lovely, exciting, or interesting that will follow.

“We will watch a short video when you are done!”

“I will serve an extra half piece of cake to everyone who gets their homework done and corrected before Dad gets home!”

“You may have John over when you homework is done!”

You get the pattern.

Some children need more supervision and encouragement than others. I know one mother who had a child that struggled with reading way past the normal time for children to “get it.” However, she patiently worked each day with the child, helping her and motivating her with extra attention and encouragement. It took longer to get the homework done than most of her other children, but once this child understood reading, she turned out to be the best and fastest one of them all. She hit her stride and off she went to become more independent, self-motivating, and creative than her mother could have ever expected.

So set a time, define a homework place, get creative with motivators, and be patient with the “slower” ones. Soon homework routines will become a natural part of your children’s days and they will understand that you mean business when you say it is “homework” time. And, they will be all the better students for your diligence.

Good luck this next school year! I know, because I have been there, that every day you help them get through their homework is one day closer to them turning out to be mature, delightful, creative adults who will thank you frequently for being there during this critical time of their lives.


Photos from sxc.hu. Used with permission of hvaldez1, samlevan.
©2010 Marie Calder Ricks/www.houseoforder.com