Helping Your Child With Homework

Helping your child with their homework can be a rewarding, yet sometimes challenging experience. Not only does it strengthen the bond between you and your child, but it also supports their academic growth and development. It’s important to have the right balance between being supportive and allowing them to learn independently.

Let’s explore some of the key “do’s” and “don’ts” when helping your child with their homework to create a positive learning environment that increases productivity, confidence and academic progress. 

DO give them time and space

Giving your child time and space to complete their homework is critical for developing their confidence, independence and problem-solving skills.

Try to avoid a last-minute rush the night before the homework is due by scheduling a designated time for homework to be completed.

Ensure they have a clear space to work, that is free from clutter and distractions, to allow them to focus only on the task at hand. It’s okay for them to have a break when they return home from school before they complete their homework, they’ve likely had a busy day and need some downtime.

Homework can be a rewarding experience for both you and your child when you have a calm and pressure-free environment. 

DON’T rush them or allow distractions

We’ve all been there, the sudden revelation that a big project is due the very next morning and this is the first time you’ve heard about it. So, you quickly grab what you need and rush with your child to get something worthy of handing in, probably continuing it yourself long after your child has gone to bed.

The experience is tense and stressful and not enjoyable for anyone. Avoid this situation by having an open dialogue with your child about what they’re learning at school and the homework they have been assigned.

You can then designate a set time to complete the work, allowing plenty of time before the due date. Ensure that phones are away, the TV is off and younger siblings are kept busy with a task of their own. Show your child that this is an important time that should be valued and prioritised. 

DO provide them with support and help

By being available to support and help your child with their homework, you can guide them through challenging tasks, enable critical thinking and offer them encouragement when they find the work too difficult, or their interest starts to wane. 

Take the time to listen to their thought processes, clarify the requirements of the task and gently prompt them towards finding solutions independently.

By showing your child that you are present and supportive, you allow them to have more self-belief in their own abilities and create a positive academic experience that fosters a positive attitude towards their learning. 

DON’T answer the questions for them

It can be frustrating when you’re trying to help your child and they seem unable to grasp a concept. In this situation, it is important to remain calm and patient and avoid the temptation to provide them with the answers.

Doing so could undermine their learning process, negatively impact their confidence and it deprives them of the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills. Instead, try to ask open-ended questions that will encourage a deeper level of thinking that may enable them to discover the answers themselves.

If you’re finding that the homework set by the teacher is too challenging for your child, communicate your difficulties with their teacher by either scheduling a teacher-parent conference or leave a note in their homework diary. Make sure your child understands that they are not in trouble and explain clearly to them what you’d like to discuss with their teacher. 

DO praise their achievements 

By praising your child’s achievements, no matter how small, you are helping to build their self-esteem and confidence. This will motivate them to continue persevering and trying their best. Acknowledging their hard work promotes a positive learning experience which in turn supports their progress.

Try to be specific in your praise and explain exactly what they have done well. Rather than saying “well done”, you could say “well done for proofreading your work before moving on”. It is important that the child understands exactly what they have done effectively to continue building their confidence.

Positive reinforcement is a highly successful tool that will enhance a child’s motivation and the result is often repeated desired behaviours. 

DON’T show your frustration

It is important not to show your frustration when your child is struggling with their homework. No matter how easy or obvious the answers seem to you, your child is at a much earlier phase of their learning journey.

By expressing your irritation or impatience, you create a stressful environment that is not conducive to high levels of concentration, perseverance or a positive attitude towards learning. Instead, try to show patience and be calm and gentle in your delivery of advice and guidance.

By maintaining a supportive and positive demeanour, your child will feel safe and secure to attempt challenges without the anxiety of getting questions wrong or disappointing you. 

DO show interest and ask them questions

Showing interest in your child’s education is a powerful way to demonstrate to your child that their education and future is important to you.

Try to have daily conversations with them about what they have been doing and learning at school. Listen to their responses intently and ask follow-up questions. Attend parents’ evenings, and when given the opportunity, look through their schoolwork and praise all their achievements.

Your child should feel proud to show you their work, not worried. When your child is completing homework, ask them to explain their thinking and methods.

Children love to be the teacher and will often rise to the opportunity if they feel they are teaching you something new. Teaching strategies have evolved a lot over the years since we were at school, and many of the new methods will be new to you too! 

DON’T make them feel that mistakes are bad

If you ask any teacher, they will tell you that making mistakes is a positive thing! It is a natural and essential part of learning, and it provides opportunities for academic growth, self-correcting and memorable learning revelations.

Mistakes should be viewed as learning moments, or stepping stones, that lead to improvement and success, not as failures. By developing this mindset in both you and your child, you promote resilience and confidence to take on new challenges. 

Homework can seem a daunting experience for both you and your child, particularly when your child is learning strategies that were not taught when you were at school. But, with a careful balance of patience, understanding and encouragement, homework can be a positive bonding experience that supports your child in their learning journey.

This balanced approach not only enhances their academic performance but also contributes to their overall growth, confidence and wellbeing.