6 Tips To Help You End The Homework Battle

 

Is homework a battle in your household? If so, you're not alone. Some kids resist starting their homework, some have a hard time finishing it and others do their work, but forget to turn it in. Drew Edwards, author of "How to Handle a Hard-to-Handle Kid," has six tips to help parents and children end the homework battle and just get the work done. Find out what every teacher wishes parents knew!

1. Find the assignment.

Work with your child to develop a good system for bringing the assignments home. Purchase a planner or notebook your child can use to write down homework assignments daily or create an assignment sheet you send with your child to school. This also helps the child to get into the habit of bringing home the correct textbook or other materials needed to finish the assignment.

2. Find the right spot.

Some children like to do homework on the kitchen table, while others need more solitude. Encourage your child to do homework in several places in your home until one feels just right.

3. Find the right time.

Right after school? After a short break, but before dinner? After dinner? If you're not sure, pick a time and try it for two weeks. If it's not working, try another time for two weeks.

4. Find a starting point.

Does your child like to start with the hardest or easiest assignment? You should offer suggestions, but let your child decide which assignment to do first.

5. Find the focus.

While your child is working on a specific subject, put away all other books and materials. Looking at a pile of books can make a child feel overwhelmed or can just make it tough to focus on the current assignment.

6. Find the sweet spot.

How much monitoring does your child need? Some children might need you to break an assignment into smaller parts, particularly for assignments with several steps like math or writing sentences for vocabulary. Keep the positive feedback coming, but try not to hover.

Two things you should never do: Nag your child about homework or do the homework for your child. "School is important, but so is the relationship you have with your child," advises Edwards. "Don't let homework become an issue that harms that relationship."