If you have homework struggles with your child on what seems like a daily basis, you aren't alone!
Around 60% of parents admit that they struggle to help their kids with homework.
Additionally, approximately 56% of students in high school feel like they have too much homework, and 56% of students indicate that homework is one of their primary sources of stress.
Whether your child struggles to break down concepts or has trouble concentrating on assignments once they've come home, what can you do to help your child with their schoolwork?
Try some of these homework help tips with your child.
1. Set Aside a Specific Time for Homework
You know your child, routine, and family best, so it's crucial to choose a strategy that will work well for you.
Start by picking a specific time to do homework every day. It could be as soon as your child comes home from school, or it could be right before dinner after your child has had time to wind down for a little while.
Choose a time when your child is likely to be able to focus. Try not to rush it!
If you know you have just thirty minutes before your child has to rush out the door again for another activity and their homework will take an hour to finish, you may encourage them to do their homework when they get home.
Another option is to break down assignments into manageable portions so your child can get some done immediately after school and some done during a break.
2. Talk Through Assignments With Your Child
Often, the homework struggle is related to a lack of understanding.
Even if the teacher clearly explains the assignment or concept in the classroom, all that may go out the window once your child gets home and starts working on the schoolwork.
Sit down and walk through it with your child to make sure they know what they need to do to complete the assignment correctly. Ask what questions your child has about the homework, and make sure you clear them up before they begin.
3. Break Down Homework Into Smaller, More Manageable Pieces
Homework can feel incredibly overwhelming, especially when there's a lot of it—or when your child is struggling in a specific area.
If your child frequently gets daunted by a large quantity of homework, try breaking larger tasks down into smaller ones.
For example, you might let your child work through one page of math problems, then get up and take a break—have a snack, walk around the house, or take a breather before diving back in for more work.
Keep in mind that your child has already spent a long day at school concentrating on many of these same tasks, and it can be overwhelming to have even more to deal with when they get home!
If you notice that your child seems to be constantly overwhelmed by the amount of homework, have a conversation with your child's teacher.
While assignments can help with several skills, including encouraging independent learning or scaffolding skills that your child needs to practice more regularly, sometimes, it can also add undue stress to an already-struggling student.
Talk to your child's teacher about how you can help lighten the load and even whether homework—or so much homework—is really necessary.
4. Recognize the Signs That Your Child Is Struggling Academically
Is your child having difficulties figuring out that latest math skill or reading on grade level?
Around 27% of students score below grade level on standardized assessments in reading, and about 23% of students score below grade level in math. That number may also have increased due to pandemic learning concerns, including a lack of consistency, high anxiety, and virtual schooling.
If your child is struggling academically—not understanding the concepts presented, struggling to explain concepts, or missing vital skills—you may need to provide additional support to help your child achieve their academic goals.
The good news: help is at your fingertips! With an online tutor, you can provide your child with access to more of those much-needed skills while also offering ongoing support, which can help your child overcome those academic hurdles and achieve their goals.
If you see a lack of academic progress despite academic support, you may want to work with your child's teacher to evaluate your child for potential learning disabilities or other challenges.
5. Encourage Your Child To Do Their Own Work
Avoid the temptation to do work for your student or give them the answers. Even though it might speed up the process at the moment, it won't help your child achieve long-term academic success—and it could leave them with more learning gaps.
If you have a child who consistently argues that "it's too hard," online tutoring can help provide that vital scaffolding and make your child feel more confident in their work—not to mention cutting down on some of the complaints.
6. Eliminate Distractions During Homework Time
Remove toys from the homework table, turn off the TV and other electronics, and, if needed, relocate siblings to another room.
If possible, keep yourself ready to oversee homework completion or answer questions, especially if your child has been struggling, but try not to interrupt unless your child needs your help or needs to get back on task.
Distractions can drag out the process—not to mention giving your child something else to complain about missing.
Homework struggles are a real problem in many households. Anand Tutorials can help you provide your child with vital learning assistance, decrease distractions, and improve overall academic performance.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your child with homework time.