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Khan Academy Blog

Making Homework Easier: Tips and Tools for Parents 

posted on September 20, 2023

By Stephanie Yamkovenko , group manager of Khan Academy’s Digital Marketing Team.

Homework can present challenges for parents and children alike. You naturally want to provide support for your child’s learning journey and ensure they are reaching their full potential. In this blog post, we will delve into practical strategies to assist your child with their homework. From fostering understanding and offering encouragement to breaking down tasks and implementing rewards, we will explore a variety of effective approaches to help your child achieve academic success.

Step 1: Set Up Your Child for Success

Your child’s study environment can have a significant impact on their homework performance. Create a space that is free from distractions like the television, smartphones, or noisy siblings. The study space should be comfortable, well lit, and have all the necessary materials your child might need, such as pens, papers, and textbooks. If your child’s workspace is noisy or uncomfortable, they may have difficulty focusing on their homework, resulting in lower productivity. 

For example, if you live in a small apartment, consider setting up a designated corner with a small desk or table where your child can focus on their work. You can use dividers or screens to create a sense of privacy and minimize distractions.

If the only place to do homework is in the dining room or kitchen, try to establish a routine where the area is cleared and organized before study time. This can help signal to your child that it’s time to concentrate and be productive.

Remember, it’s important to adapt to your specific circumstances and make the best of the available space. The key is to create a dedicated study area that promotes focus and minimizes interruptions regardless of the size or location of your home.

Try Confidence Boosters for Your Child Here!

Step 2: make it fun.

It’s important to make homework fun and engaging for your child. Here are some examples of how you can do it:

• Use games : Incorporate educational games like card games, board games, or puzzles that align with the subject your child is learning. For instance, use Scrabble to practice spelling or Sudoku to enhance problem-solving skills.
• Turn it into a challenge : Create a friendly competition between siblings or friends by setting goals or time limits for completing assignments. Offer small rewards or incentives for accomplishing tasks.
• Make it interactive : Use hands-on activities or experiments to reinforce concepts learned in class. For science or math, conduct simple experiments at home or use manipulatives like blocks or counters to visualize abstract concepts.
• Use technology : Explore online educational platforms or apps that offer interactive learning experiences. There are various educational games, virtual simulations, and videos available that can make homework more enjoyable.
• Incorporate creativity : Encourage your child to express their understanding through art, storytelling, or multimedia presentations. For example, they can create a comic strip to summarize a story or make a short video to explain a concept.

Remember, by making homework enjoyable, you can help your child develop a positive attitude towards learning.

Step 3: Use Rewards

Rewards can be a powerful motivational tool for children. Offering positive reinforcement can encourage them to complete their homework on time and to the best of their ability. 

Here are some examples of rewards our team has used with their children:

• Extra screen time: “I use Apple parental controls to add screen time on their iPad.”
• Access to a favorite toy: “My eight year old has a drum kit, which drives us all up the wall. (Thanks, Grandma!) But when they’ve been doing a lot of school work, we put on headphones and let him go nuts.”
• Praise for a job well done: “Specific, measurable praise is what works best.” 
• Trip to the park: “A trip to the park is good for everyone, especially for the kids to run around with the doggos.”
• Movie night: “I know every word and song lyric in Moana ; we now reserve showings for good behavior.” 
• Stickers or stamps: “Gold stars were such a thing growing up in the 80s; turns out they still work.”
• Stay up a little later: “An extra 30 minutes feels like a whole day for my young ones; use this reward with caution as it can become the expectation!”

So, celebrate your child’s efforts and encourage them to continue doing their best.

Step 4: Break Down Difficult Tasks

When facing daunting homework assignments, follow these step-by-step instructions to break down the tasks into smaller, manageable chunks:

• Understand the requirements and scope of the task.
• Break down the assignment into individual tasks or sub-tasks.  
• Splitting the middle term
• Using formula
• Using Quadratic formula
• Using algebraic identities
• Determine the order in which tasks should be completed based on importance or difficulty. 
• Start with the easiest task. Begin with the task that seems the least challenging or time-consuming.
• Progress to more challenging tasks: Once the easier tasks are completed, move on to more difficult ones.
• Take breaks: Schedule short breaks between tasks to avoid burnout and maintain focus.
• Check completed tasks for accuracy and make any necessary revisions.
• Finish the remaining task(s) with the same approach.
• Celebrate small achievements to boost confidence and keep motivation high.

By following these steps, you can make daunting homework assignments more manageable and less overwhelming for your child.

Step 5: Get Targeted Help

If your child is struggling with homework, it might be worth considering seeking personalized assistance. You have the option to search for professional tutors or explore online tutoring platforms, such as Khan Academy’s AI tutor, Khanmigo .

This AI tutor can offer personalized guidance and support tailored to your child’s specific needs, helping them grasp complex concepts and practice essential skills. Incorporating this approach can effectively complement your child’s learning and enhance their homework performance.

Enhance your child’s learning and boost homework performance!

Homework can be a challenge for both parents and children. But with the right approach, you can help your child overcome difficulties and support their learning. Encourage and understand your child, create a comfortable environment, break down difficult tasks, use rewards, get professional help when needed, and make it fun. With these tips and techniques, you can help your child achieve success, develop a love for learning, and achieve academic excellence. Remember that each child learns differently, so it’s essential to adjust your approach to meet their unique needs.

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Education resources › Blog › 10 ways to help your child with their homework

10 ways to help your child with their homework

• Parents & guardians

Written by the InnerDrive team | Edited by Bradley Busch

Evidence suggests  that one of the most powerful things a parent can do to  assist their child’s academic development  is having clear homework rules.

But how should you go about this? Here are 10 simple things you can do to help your child with their homework.

1. Set a routine

Having a set time to do homework that works for both you and your child can make “homework time” go a lot more smoothly. Try and schedule this time in for when they are most alert and ready to learn. If possible, encourage your child to choose which time to do their homework themselves: by letting them have a say, it may make them feel more responsible and more motivated to complete it.

Once you have a set “homework” time, it is key to stick to it. A clear routine can help your child feel part of a predictable environment and it can soon become part of their normal daily routine. This would mean that they are less likely to dread and procrastinate finishing their work.

2. Have a designated homework space

Having a designated workspace to complete their homework can get your child into a working mindset and  improve their focus  when they are there. This could be in a separate room, or a table that is not being used for anything else.

Ensure that they have all the equipment they need before starting on their homework, as this could lead to distractions if they realise they need something after they have started their work. Also, ensure that that the workspace is  clean and tidy  as this could also help boost their productivity. If you need more tips, we’ve previously written about what the ideal home learning environment looks like.

3. Get rid of all distractions

Nowadays, the main distractions for students tend to be their electronic devices, including  mobile phones .

Research has shown  that schools which banned mobile phones experienced a significant increase in their students’ grades. Therefore, while your child is doing their homework, try and remove their electronics away. This can allow them to get their homework done faster and to a higher standard.

4. Have regular breaks

Having regular, short breaks during homework time can allow your child to feel more attentive. If possible, exercising during these short breaks can be very useful (this can even be a quick dance break), as  this helps boost brain power .

5. Promote independence

Allow your child to take charge of their homework.  Research has shown  that students who did their homework by themselves ended up doing  10% better in exams  than those who did their homework with their parents helping them.

Step back whilst they do the homework and allow them to get things wrong. This way, their teacher will know that they are struggling with that area and can help them out. If they don’t understand a question, encourage them to leave it and come back to it at the end.

Research also shows  that helping your child learn self-management skills is also beneficial for their academic performance. This could include suggesting how long your child should spend on their homework and allowing them to record their total time spent on their homework. If your child is provided with the answers, let them self-mark. This would allow them to recognise their strengths and what they can work on next time.

6. Help your child organise their time

Organisation is a key skill for your child to learn and develop. If they are given many tasks to do, sit with them and ask them what they think the  best way of dividing their time  is. Give them suggestions, if there is another easier way. Then, make a plan and help them stick to it in order to complete all of their tasks.

7. Encourage your child to develop a Growth Mindset

During homework time, you may hear your child say “I don’t know how to do this”, or “I can’t do this”. This way of thinking is known as a fixed mindset, which means believing that their talents are set in stone.

The opposite, known as  a growth mindset , revolves around the belief that you can improve your intelligence, ability and performance. As a parent, you can encourage your child to develop a growth mindset by adding the word “yet” at the end of these phrases when they say them. Adding this word suggests that they can still achieve what they want with some extra time and work.

If your child is still discouraged with their efforts, ask them: “What would you do differently next time?” After experiencing a setback, this can allow them to stop dwelling on the past but help them reflect and focus on how they can improve in the future.

For more tips on how to develop a growth mindset,  check out this blog .

8. Be a role model

Encourage your child to see you working on things during their homework, such as writing grocery lists or even talking about what you have done at the office that day. By seeing you also do work, it can motivate your child to work on their homework as well.

9. The most powerful sentence a parent can say: “I am so proud of you!”

This simple phrase  has very powerful effects and can help your child feel encouraged. Often, children spend longer doing homework due to the  fear of failure . Using the phrase, “I’m so proud of you” can reduce this fear by letting your child know that they would always have your support.

In turn, this may give them more confidence and increase their self-esteem, allowing them to achieve more when doing their homework.

10. Communicate any worries you may have with their teacher

Let your concerns be heard! If you feel that your child is spending too long on their homework, or is struggling a lot with it, tell their teacher. The homework they set may have been too academically challenging for them, which may also reduce their confidence in the long term. Talking with their teacher may also allow your child to gain any extra support if needed.

Final thoughts

Getting homework done may be a struggle, especially when your child does not feel any motivation to do it. However, there are tons of ways to support your child – implementing these tips into your daily life can help homework time go a lot more smoothly. This in turn can support your child during their academic development.

About the editor

Bradley Busch

Bradley Busch is a Chartered Psychologist and a leading expert on illuminating Cognitive Science research in education. As Director at InnerDrive, his work focuses on translating complex psychological research in a way that is accessible and helpful. He has delivered thousands of workshops for educators and students, helping improve how they think, learn and perform. Bradley is also a prolific writer: he co-authored four books including Teaching & Learning Illuminated and The Science of Learning , as well as regularly featuring in publications such as The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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Homework Help for Reluctant Children

• Posted October 15, 2018
• By Heather Miller

It’s hard to fault the child who resists doing homework. After all, she has already put in a long day at school, probably been involved in afterschool activities, and, as the late afternoon spills into evening, now faces a pile of assignments. Parents feel it, too — it’s no one’s favorite time of day.

But despite its bad rap, homework plays an important role in ensuring that students can execute tasks independently. When it’s thoughtfully assigned, homework provides deeper engagement with material introduced in class. And even when it’s “just” worksheets, homework can build the automatic habits and the basic skills required to tackle more interesting endeavors. Finally, homework is a nightly test of grit. Adult life brings its share of tasks that are both compulsory and unenjoyable. Developing the discipline to fulfill our responsibilities, regardless of whether they thrill us, begins in middle childhood.

So how to help the avoidant child embrace the challenge, rather than resist it?

The first step, especially with kids 13 and under, is to have them do their homework at a communal space, like a dining room or kitchen table. If other children are in the home, they can all do their homework at the same table, and the parent can sit nearby to support the work effort. This alleviates some of the loneliness a reluctant child might associate with assignments. The alternative — doing homework at a bedroom desk — can result in the child guiltily avoiding the work for as long as possible. Like all forms of procrastination, this has the effect of making the entire process take much longer than it needs to.  

When parents turn the homework ritual into a series of conversations about what needs to be done, how, and for how long, children feel less “alone” with their nightly work, they relish the company and support of their parent, and they work better and more efficiently.

Many parents are under the impression that they shouldn’t have anything to do with their children's homework. This comes from schools emphasizing that homework is a child's responsibility, not the parents'. While it is absolutely true that parents should not do their children's homework, there is a role for parents — one that's perhaps best described as “homework project manager.” Parents can be monitoring, organizing, motivating, and praising the homework effort as it gets done. And yes, that means sitting with your child to help them stay focused and on task. Your presence sends the message that homework is important business, not to be taken lightly.

Once you’re sitting down with your child, ask him to unload his school bag and talk you through his various assignments. Maybe he has a school planner with all his homework listed, or a printout from school, or perhaps his work is listed on the classroom website. Many children attend an afterschool program where, in theory, they are doing homework. They’ll often claim that they’ve done all their homework, even though they’ve only done some. Together, make a quick and easy “Done/To Do” list. Writing down what she has finished will give her a sense of satisfaction. Identifying what she still needs to do will help her to focus on the remaining assignments. Over time, this practice will help your child build an understanding that large tasks are completed incrementally.

Next, ask your child to put the assignments in the order he’d like to do them. Encourage him to explain his thinking. Doing this helps a child feel in control of the evening’s tasks and prompts him to reflect on his work style. Discuss the first task of the night together. Ask your child to think about the supplies he is likely to need, and ensure they’re at the ready. This “pre-work” work helps a child think through a task, understand it, and prepare to execute it with gusto.

Last but not least, introduce a timer to the evening’s proceedings. Challenge your child to estimate how long the first assignment will take. Then ask, “Do you want me to set the timer for the full amount of time you think you’ll need, or a smaller amount?” Then, set the timer with the understanding that the child must work without interruption until the timer goes off. Even questions are verboten while the timer runs. The goal here is to enable the child to solve problems independently, through concentration. This not only builds concentration powers, it builds creativity, critical thinking, resilience, and resourcefulness. In my experience, the theatricality of being timed helps relax children who would otherwise feel daunted by a mountain of homework.

As each piece of work gets done, parents can add meaningful positive reinforcement. Exclaiming, “Another assignment done! And done well!” helps your child feel like what they are doing matters.

By turning the homework ritual into a series of conversations about what needs to be done, how, and for how long, children feel less “alone” with their nightly work, they relish the company and support of their parent, and they complete the work much more efficiently and at a higher standard than they might otherwise.

Helping the Homework Resisters

• Have children do their work at a communal table. Stay nearby, to alleviate the loneliness that some kids feel — and to prevent procrastination.
• Ask your child to unload her backpack and talk through assignments.
• Help your child make a "Done/To Do" list.
• Ask your child to put the assignments in the order he’d like to do them. Encourage him to explain his thinking — fostering a sense of control.
• Use a timer. Challenge your child to estimate how long an assignment will take, and ask if she wants to set the timer for that full amount of time, or less. 
• Your role: To monitor, organize, motivate, and praise the homework effort as each piece is done. 

Additional Resource

• More about Heather Miller's work to help parents create healthy routines on weeknights

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The Value of Parents Helping with Homework

Dr. selena kiser.

• September 2, 2020

The importance of parents helping with homework is invaluable. Helping with homework is an important responsibility as a parent and directly supports the learning process. Parents’ experience and expertise is priceless. One of the best predictors of success in school is learning at home and being involved in children’s education. Parental involvement with homework helps develop self-confidence and motivation in the classroom. Parents helping students with homework has a multitude of benefits including spending individual time with children, enlightening strengths and weaknesses, making learning more meaningful, and having higher aspirations.

How Parental Involvement with Homework Impacts Students

Parental involvement with homework impacts students in a positive way. One of the most important reasons for parental involvement is that it helps alleviate stress and anxiety if the students are facing challenges with specific skills or topics. Parents have experience and expertise with a variety of subject matter and life experiences to help increase relevance. Parents help their children understand content and make it more meaningful, while also helping them understand things more clearly.

Also, their involvement increases skill and subject retention. Parents get into more depth about content and allow students to take skills to a greater level. Many children will always remember the times spent together working on homework or classroom projects. Parental involvement with homework and engagement in their child’s education are related to higher academic performance, better social skills and behavior, and increased self-confidence.

Parents helping with homework allows more time to expand upon subjects or skills since learning can be accelerated in the classroom. This is especially true in today’s classrooms. The curricula in many classrooms is enhanced and requires teaching a lot of content in a small amount of time. Homework is when parents and children can spend extra time on skills and subject matter. Parents provide relatable reasons for learning skills, and children retain information in greater depth.

Parental involvement increases creativity and induces critical-thinking skills in children. This creates a positive learning environment at home and transfers into the classroom setting. Parents have perspective on their children, and this allows them to support their weaknesses while expanding upon their strengths. The time together enlightens parents as to exactly what their child’s strengths and weaknesses are.

Virtual learning is now utilized nationwide, and parents are directly involved with their child’s schoolwork and homework. Their involvement is more vital now than ever. Fostering a positive homework environment is critical in virtual learning and assists children with technological and academic material.

Strategies for Including Parents in Homework

An essential strategy for including parents in homework is sharing a responsibility to help children meet educational goals. Parents’ commitment to prioritizing their child’s educational goals, and participating in homework supports a larger objective. Teachers and parents are specific about the goals and work directly with the child with classwork and homework. Teachers and parents collaboratively working together on children’s goals have larger and more long-lasting success. This also allows parents to be strategic with homework assistance.

A few other great examples of how to involve parents in homework are conducting experiments, assignments, or project-based learning activities that parents play an active role in. Interviewing parents is a fantastic way to be directly involved in homework and allows the project to be enjoyable. Parents are honored to be interviewed, and these activities create a bond between parents and children. Students will remember these assignments for the rest of their lives.

Project-based learning activities examples are family tree projects, leaf collections, research papers, and a myriad of other hands-on learning assignments. Children love working with their parents on these assignments as they are enjoyable and fun. This type of learning and engagement also fosters other interests. Conducting research is another way parents directly impact their child’s homework. This can be a subject the child is interested in or something they are unfamiliar with. Children and parents look forward to these types of homework activities.

Parents helping students with homework has a multitude of benefits. Parental involvement and engagement have lifelong benefits and creates a pathway for success. Parents provide autonomy and support, while modeling successful homework study habits.

• #homework , #ParentalInvolvement

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How to Help Your Child With Homework

Last Updated: March 29, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 12,811 times.

Being involved in your child's education throughout their school years is incredibly important to their success. If your child is having trouble getting their homework done on their own, or having difficulty with particular subjects, helping them learn good study habits and methods can correct problems and prevent new ones. Even older kids who don't ask for your help can benefit greatly from ensuring they have good study habits and enjoy learning. By creating a plan, sticking to it, and finding extra help when necessary, the school year will go much smoother for both you and your child.

Assisting with a Difficult Problem or Assignment

• Make sure to read the material given to your child, not look up explanations online first. You may end up finding a different method or explanation than the teacher is using, and this can cause unnecessary confusion for your child.

• Ask questions to clarify instructions if you think it is necessary. Their answers will help you decide how much help they need.
• If they do not clearly understand, go over the lesson in the textbook with them. Ask them to read a section and then explain it in their own words.

• To help your child understand the material, ask them to complete a few sample problems. This ensures they grasp the concept and gives them a chance to practice their skills.

• For writing assignments, you might say “Good job with indenting paragraphs,” or “This is a great start. What do you think happens next?” [1] X Research source
• Do not get angry if they continue having trouble with a problem or assignment. Punishing them for not understanding will likely cause them to stop asking for help.
• Do not give away answers, but explain how to find them. Ask the teacher if you need assistance, or find a reputable tutor.

• In addition, it's best to give your child a break between school and homework. Instead of pushing them to complete their assignments as soon as they get home from school, let them play freely or participate in an extracurricular activity before starting their homework. [3] X Research source

• If the problem relates to your child's learning style, you can try to reframe the information from a different perspective, but make sure the teacher knows you did so and specifically why your child had trouble with the assignment as given. Send a note or email to their teacher explaining the circumstances.
• For older elementary or middle school students, allow them to ask their teacher for help instead of doing it for them. The more agency kids have in their learning, the more they actually learn. [5] X Research source

• Ask your child to read the problem out loud, restate what the question is asking, and detail the steps they need to take to solve the problem.
• Only go over in detail those assignments or problems your child has particular trouble with. Don't read over every assignment they get for the rest of the year, or they will not learn as much and/or will become too dependent on you.

Providing Guidance

• Homework provides a chance to review and practice concepts or skills they learned in class.
• Practicing offers a chance to see where more explanation might be needed before the next class.
• It teaches necessary study skills and self-discipline for succeeding as schoolwork becomes more involved and specialized as teens, like time management and independence.
• It gives them the chance to explore a subject or idea more fully than was possible in the classroom.
• It teaches them how to process and use information in general, which will help in every aspect of life as they get older.
• Children who do more homework, in general, score better on standardized tests through secondary school.

• Ask what, if any, problems or stumbling blocks they had the previous year or semester. Did they start homework too late in the evening to finish before bedtime? Did they have trouble concentrating in the location where they tried to work?
• Where do they see areas for improvement? Are there certain subjects that they need to spend more time on each day? Is there another time or area where they might be able to study better?
• If they didn't enjoy a certain task, like reading, discuss ways to make it more fun. Maybe you could set up a special reading nook under a small tent in a corner, or designate a comfortable chair for reading and let your child decorate the space around it.

• For instance, your child could do their homework at the kitchen table every day at 4 pm. Alternatively, they may complete their homework in their room after dinner each night.
• Get a calendar or planner for them to write down their study time, a daily list of assignments, and any due dates, if applicable, for larger projects.
• Make sure to account for after-school activities or sports on the weekends. Some days they might need to do homework at a different time to adjust for other activities. [9] X Research source
• Try different times for studying at the beginning of the year, before homework gets heavy, to evaluate together when your child works best. Maybe they concentrate better after dinner than before. Perhaps they find it more helpful to do homework after 30 minutes after coming home from school, while lessons from the school day are still fresh on their mind.

• Turn the TV off or don't include one in the room where they will be working.
• Let them listen to background music if it helps them concentrate, but make sure it isn't distracting. Instrumental music is best.
• Have a computer if they need one, but set up filters to make sure they don't get caught up in internet. Ask the teacher if they post assignments or examples on their own website or a school-run blackboard. Sometimes, students can send questions via the web to teachers as they are working. [10] X Research source
• Keep loud siblings away. For older kids, if there is not a place in the house where they can be alone, the library may be a better study spot. [11] X Research source

• Help your child learn to organize their time efficiently early in their school career so they will be able to do it on their own by high school.
• It's best to learn study tips early in elementary school, instead of waiting until homework becomes unmanageable simply because they haven't developed a way to break up larger tasks.

• Get a language program like Rosetta Stone, or download a free phone app, and work on lessons while your child does homework. Since you have to speak during lessons, sit in a nearby room or open room while they work at their desk in the bedroom or office. Show them your progress to encourage them to study hard throughout the year.
• Going over your expenses or checkbook demonstrates why learning math is important. Instead of using a calculator, let younger kids see you do the work by hand like they do.
• If your child needs to visit the library, pick out some books on a topic about which you want to learn. Don't always choose the same subject, but learn something new to show your child that it's important to expand your knowledge.

Working with Teachers

• Check the first couple answers on an assignment to make sure your child understood it, but don't look over the whole assignment for accuracy. [14] X Research source
• Ask if they were able to complete everything or if they have any questions about the assignment you might clarify. If they completed a math assignment and just had trouble with one problem, you might be able to identify any missteps. If they couldn't do any of them, you and the teacher may need to find another method of teaching them the necessary skills.
• If you had to give your child a lot of help on an assignment, make sure the teacher knows. Write “completed with parental help” on the assignment or send an email or a note to their teacher.

• Generally, in K-2, homework should ideally take 10-20 minutes a day (independent of reading practice); for 2-6, 30-60 minutes a night is average; from 7th grade on, the amount should depend on specific assignments and may vary from day to day. [15] X Research source
• Find out if the teacher has open hours for extra help every week.
• Make sure you know what materials you need to provide your child. Typically, elementary school kids get a list of supplies on the first day, or even earlier. If not, ask the teacher what your child should bring to class everyday.
• Find out their homework and attendance policies. What happens if a student fails to turn in an assignment? How do you arrange to make up a test if your child has to be absent?

• It is important for students to take responsibility for their own learning. If you aren't sure they will ask for help, send the teacher a message letting them know your child will be approaching them for extra help at the next class, but give your child the responsibility of doing so on their own.
• Ask the teacher for advice on other resources your child can use at home—study websites, reference books, a good tutoring app, etc. [16] X Research source

• Always come to a parent-teacher meeting with a cooperate spirit and leave with a solution or plan to address the issue. [18] X Research source
• If the teacher is not budging--the workload seems way too high, they don't understand the problem, they won't take responsibility for helping your child learn--make an appointment with the school's principal to discuss it.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/tips-for-helping-your-child-with-writing-assignments/
• ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pride-and-joy/201209/battles-over-homework-advice-parents
• ↑ http://www.parenting.com/article/help-kids-with-homework
• ↑ http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/part4.html
• ↑ http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/part5.html
• ↑ http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/part8.html

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How to help your kids with homework (without doing it for them)

Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Monash University

Lecturer, Monash University

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Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers . Parent involvement in their child’s learning can help improve how well they do in school. However, when it comes to helping kids with homework, it’s not so simple.

While it’s important to show support and model learning behaviour, there is a limit to how much help you can give without robbing your child of the opportunity to learn for themselves.

Be involved and interested

An analysis of more than 400 research studies found parent involvement, both at school and at home, could improve students’ academic achievement, engagement and motivation.

School involvement includes parents participating in events such as parent-teacher conferences and volunteering in the classroom. Home involvement includes parents talking with children about school, providing encouragement, creating stimulating environments for learning and finally – helping them with homework.

Read more: What to do at home so your kids do well at school

The paper found overall, it was consistently beneficial for parents to be involved in their child’s education, regardless of the child’s age or socioeconomic status. However, this same analysis also suggested parents should be cautious with how they approach helping with homework.

Parents helping kids with homework was linked to higher levels of motivation and engagement, but lower levels of academic achievement. This suggests too much help may take away from the child’s responsibility for their own learning.

Help them take responsibility

Most children don’t like homework. Many parents agonise over helping their children with homework. Not surprisingly, this creates a negative emotional atmosphere that often results in questioning the value of homework.

Homework has often been linked to student achievement, promoting the idea children who complete it will do better in school. The most comprehensive analysis on homework and achievement to date suggests it can influence academic achievement (like test scores), particularly for children in years seven to 12.

But more research is needed to find out about how much homework is appropriate for particular ages and what types are best to maximise home learning.

Read more: Too much help with homework can hinder your child's learning progress

When it comes to parent involvement, research suggests parents should help their child see their homework as an opportunity to learn rather than perform. For example, if a child needs to create a poster, it is more valuable the child notes the skills they develop while creating the poster rather than making the best looking poster in the class.

Instead of ensuring their child completes their homework, it’s more effective for parents to support their child to increase confidence in completing homework tasks on their own.

Here are four ways they can do this.

1. Praise and encourage your child

Your positivity will make a difference to your child’s approach to homework and learning in general. Simply, your presence and support creates a positive learning environment.

Our study involved working with recently arrived Afghani mothers who were uncertain how to help their children with school. This was because they said they could not understand the Australian education system or speak or write in English.

However, they committed to sit next to their children as they completed their homework tasks in English, asking them questions and encouraging them to discuss what they were learning in their first language.

In this way, the parents still played a role in supporting their child even without understanding the content and the children were actively engaged in their learning.

2. Model learning behaviour

Many teachers model what they would like their students to do. So, if a child has a problem they can’t work out, you can sit down and model how you would do it, then complete the next one together and then have the child do it on their own.

3. Create a homework plan

When your child becomes overly frustrated with their homework, do not force them. Instead, together create a plan to best tackle it:

read and understand the homework task

break the homework task into smaller logical chunks

discuss how much time is required to complete each chunk

work backwards from the deadline and create a timeline

put the timeline where the child can see it

encourage your child to mark completed chunks to see the progress made on the task

4. Make space for homework

Life is busy. Parents can create positive study habits by allocating family time for this. This could mean carving out one hour after dinner for your child to do homework while you engage in a study activity such as reading, rather than watching television and relaxing. You can also create a comfortable and inviting reading space for the child to learn in.

Parents’ ability to support their child’s learning goes beyond homework. Parents can engage their child in discussions, read with them, and provide them with other ongoing learning opportunities (such as going to a museum, watching a documentary or spending time online together).

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Published september 19, 2023 in general, how to help students with homework: a comprehensive guide, by scholarly, introduction.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to help students with homework. In this article, we will explore effective strategies and techniques that can assist students in completing their assignments and improve their academic performance. With the right support and guidance, students can develop valuable skills and a positive attitude towards homework. Let's dive in!

Here are some key benefits of helping students with their homework:

Improved understanding of the subject matter

Enhanced self-discipline and time management skills, increased confidence in academic abilities, development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills, strengthened teacher-student relationship.

Now, let's delve into each benefit in detail.

When students receive assistance with their homework, they are more likely to grasp the concepts and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This comprehension can lead to better performance in exams and overall academic achievement.

By guiding students through their homework, you can help them develop essential skills such as self-discipline and time management. These skills are crucial for success not only in academics but also in their future careers.

When students receive support and encouragement while working on their homework, they gain confidence in their academic abilities. This boost in confidence can improve their overall motivation and engagement in learning.

Homework assignments often require students to think critically and solve problems independently. By providing guidance and encouraging students to think creatively, you can foster the development of these vital skills.

By actively assisting students with their homework, you can build a stronger relationship with them. This relationship can lead to improved communication, trust, and collaboration in the classroom.

Best Practices

To effectively help students with their homework, consider implementing the following best practices:

Create a designated study space

Establish a consistent homework routine, provide clear instructions, break down complex tasks, encourage independent thinking.

Now, let's explore each best practice in detail.

Having a dedicated and organized study space can significantly impact a student's focus and productivity. Ensure the study area is well-lit, free from distractions, and equipped with the necessary materials.

Consistency is key when it comes to homework. Help students establish a routine by setting a specific time for homework each day. This regularity will create a sense of structure and discipline.

Ensure that students have a clear understanding of the homework assignment. Explain the requirements, expectations, and any specific guidelines. Clear instructions help minimize confusion and frustration.

If the homework assignment is complex or lengthy, encourage students to break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach helps students stay organized and maintain a sense of progress.

While providing support, it is important to encourage students to think independently and develop their problem-solving skills. Ask thought-provoking questions and guide them towards finding their own solutions.

Pros and Cons

Helping students with homework has both advantages and challenges. Let's explore some of the pros and cons.

• Improved academic performance
• Enhanced self-confidence
• Strengthened understanding of the subject
• Potential over-reliance on assistance
• Limited time for independent learning
• Struggles with developing self-discipline

Assisting students with their homework is a valuable opportunity to support their learning and development. By following best practices and providing the necessary guidance, you can help students improve their academic performance, develop essential skills, and foster a positive attitude towards homework.

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