Does it really benefit my child?

Anew school year has begun and so has the homework. Some parents may be asking, “Is homework really necessary?” “Does it really help my child?” “Why can’t teachers just teach what kids need to know at school and leave it at that?” Some parents see homework as another chore they have to see that gets done, thus taking away more of their limited time.

The fact is: Homework is beneficial and helps a child to learn and retain the material being studied. How?

Homework has been proven to help children in the following ways:

• Homework acts as a review and reminder of what is being taught.

• Homework causes a child to practice what is being introduced.

• Homework is a way to children to learn how to find information by using various resources and reference materials.

• Homework can increase a child’s study habits, teach how to manage time and assist in developing self-discipline.

• Completing homework gives a child a sense of self-accomplishment.

There are things parents can do to help with homework hassles:

• Let your child know what your expectations are about homework such as when and where homework needs to be done and the expectation of it being completed.

• Decide on the time to do homework with consideration of other activities the child is involved in.

• Set up a specific place children are to do homework – with pencils, paper and other needed resources.

• Check school sites to check on homework assignments given by the teacher. Check on your child’s grades periodically to see if more help is needed with homework to enhance school grades.

• Remove distractions: Turn off the television. If needed, use a three-sided display board to block out anything that would cause a loss of concentration.

• Offer breaks and snacks: Especially for a child who has a hard time sitting for any length of time, use an active activity for learning or reviewing to help keep a child on task. For example, have your child jump up and down while giving you answers to questions or practicing math equations. Active activities can relieve the anxiety of sitting for long periods and will enhance learning. Snacks can give extra energy for staying on task and brain alertness.

• Check homework assignments after the child completes them. Check for accuracy and neatly done work.

• Always make specific comments about the work a child does. Instead of saying, “Good job,” say, “I appreciate your completing your work and doing it correcting and so neatly.”

• When having a hard time getting your child to get his homework try incentives for completion of work and for doing the work correctly.

More benefits of giving children homework are:

• Better scores on achievement tests • Development of better studying habits that can reach into the college years.

• Higher grades on school subject tests.

Children usually do not view homework as something they look forward in doing. But if parents reinforce the completion of homework, it usually results in higher grades, better study habits and a more positive outlook on school.

• Parents involved in their child’s homework gain a better insight into the school, what is being taught and gives better opportunities for them to help their child learn. Children, also, are learning that responsibilities come before privileges, which will be a lifelong positive character trait.

If you are trying to teach responsibility before privileges, you might try some following tactics:

• Offering a couple of choices of privileges to be had after homework is completed • The loss of a privilege if homework is not done as agreed upon • Stay close by and offer assistance if needed, but try to let your child do as much as possible by him or herself. (Children’s self-esteem rises when they are able to do things for themselves whether it is chores or homework.)

• If your child procrastinates and takes a very long time to complete his work, you may (for a while) want to divide the work into shorter intervals so the work does not look so discouraging.

• Ask your child to try the homework set-up as you have suggested for a week and then be sure to listen to his ideas and suggestions.

The hassles of homework may, at first, feel like you are climbing a mountain, but keep on climbing and don’t give up until you begin to see progress and positive outcomes.