Does homework time stress you out? I hope this article can help. I am not a parent and I don’t claim to know how to make homework time easier on you. But I would like to offer you 3 helpful tips when it comes to your elementary age child’s homework. Here is a parent’s guide to elementary homework that I hope will help you out. My 3 tips are: Get it done, Switch it up, and motivation.
Get it DONE!
So my first tip that I know was helpful when my brother and I were growing up was to get it done first. This was my mom’s golden rule at our house. Homework first and then we could play. When we got home from school our first priority was to sit down and get to our homework.
I think that this is a great tip because it sets a routine, it makes sure the homework gets done, and you will rarely be doing homework right before bedtime.
If you and your kids can get into a routine of homework first it can lessen the arguments about getting homework done. If you never set the time aside for homework-just like anything else-it makes it harder to get done. So set a specific time like right after school to get into the habit of completing homework.
By doing homework right after school it also limits the times that it is being completed right before bedtime. I know for myself, even as an adult, if I’m working on something right before I go to bed, I have a harder time following asleep. The same is true for kids. If you can get the homework out of the way when they get home from school then the rest of the evening can be used for having fun and getting ready to go to sleep.
Switch It Up
So my next tip for you is to switch it up. Maybe your normal routine is for your kids to sit at the kitchen table to do homework. Instead, let your kids do their homework outside! Just switching the location of where they do their homework can make it more fun!
Another great idea for homework that happens regularly such as practicing spelling words, working on addition, or writing their name-take it outside. Grab the chalk and have your kids practice writing their name or their spelling words on the sidewalk. If it’s math-use things from outside as a manipulative like rocks or sticks to help with the homework.
If you have a little extra time for homework and the weather has been miserable-build a blanket fort and let your kids do their homework inside of it.
By switching up where and how your kids do their homework can make it a little more fun for them and can be a reward for sticking to the schedule of homework first even if the weather is super nice!
Motivation
My third and final tip for your kids homework time is finding motivation-both for you and your kids!
Mamas (and dads) I know it has to be hard to stick to a routine with your little ones. After seeing your first grader (or 5th grader) have to sit through school ALL DAY then come home with a ridiculous amount of homework can be hard. You just want to let them loose to enjoy the evening. Unfortunately homework isn’t going anywhere. So find some motivation to set that routine.
I know that the things that motivate kids is different. If it’s a sticker chart that you use to reward productive homework days with no fighting or arguing-use one. If it’s a snack to go along with doing homework-let them have a snack.
These are extrinsic rewards. But the goal of using this kind of motivation is that over time-these habits will be instilled in them so they will naturally develop intrinsic rewards such as feeling good about completing a task.
I hope that a Parent’s Guide to Elementary Homework make things a little easier for you and your kiddos. I know I didn’t give you “5 ways to understand the common core math” or “how to get my child to enjoy reading” but I hope that this guide will be beneficial to you and your family!
And remember that everyone needs a brain break! So give your kids 3-5 minutes throughout homework time to relax. Use a fun brain break like this song. Give your kids a healthy snack before they begin. Or just simply let them get the wiggles out by playing a quick game of Simon Says.
Check out One Life Church’s kids ministry page here! We’d love to get to know your family!