Many parents feel anxious about how their child is performing in school; they feel it’s their job to ensure their child is doing well. Homework plays a huge role in a child’s success at school and parents often feel obliged to help. I have teamed up with a private school in New York to offer parents some advice on how they can help their child with homework.
First of all, it’s important to have a positive attitude towards homework, as your child will be able to sense if you’re reluctant to sit down and go through it with them. Work out answers together and try to make it a fun, bonding experience rather than a chore. Showing an interest in your child’s education is sure to encourage them to try their best and help increase their confidence.
Although working through homework answers is beneficial for your child, try not to take over. It’s very tempting to tell your kids the answers, rather than letting them figure it out. However, your child will never learn if they don’t do it themselves. The teachers won’t know which areas of the curriculum your child needs more help with if they are getting all of the answers right. Allowing them to figure out how to solve a problem will help your child when preparing for exams.
There are other ways you can help your child with their homework as well as sitting down and going through it with them. Providing them with a suitable study space is another useful thing you can do for your child. They need somewhere quiet and free from distractions with a desk and all of the appropriate equipment.
If you’re busy with your own work and household chores, make sure your child knows that you are available to answer any questions they might have. If they’re struggling with their homework and have no-one around to answer their questions, they might become increasingly more frustrated and simply giving up. This can have a negative impact on your child’s mental health. Knowing that even when you’re busy you’re on hand to help is a great message to deliver to your child.
This is a collaborative post.
Somewhere between the open days and the endless prospectuses, most families hit the same wall:…
From movie nights to homework help and staying connected with relatives, technology is a big…
Ask a child what they did in PSHE this week and you might get a…
From running the bath for the little ones to washing a mountain of dishes after…
Your home is your family's safe spot, where you make memories and feel secure. But…
Family celebrations, like anniversaries, graduations, weddings, and big birthdays, are those special times we hold…