Every day we ask our children "Do you have homework?" Sometimes they say "Yes, I just have one thing to do for ..." Later you find out the one thing is four pages long! Or your child says "No homework tonight." Only to have the Teacher call you later that evening to ask how come your son or daughter didn't turn in their work. Your child says "Oh yea! I forgot about that one!"
Here are some tips from parents that may help you build good study habits with your children. More importantly, suggestions to help Mom or Dad figure out how to help each child in a short time period with the homework challenge. Here are some ideas and suggestions;
* Teach your children school comes first. If they don't make the grades they do not play sports, have a cell phone, play video games, or enjoy a specific privilege until grades or homework completion improves. * Homework is not an option and must be worked on the moment they get home from school. If they don't have homework they can work on a project for school that is upcoming. *Buy a voice recorder. If they are studying for a test - providing you know in advance you can record the questions... pause and then give the answer. Helps your child study when you cannot physically be there because you are with another child helping them. *Help your child be organized with a planner so they can keep track of their assignments ahead of time. *Go online or call their school to find out if you can access his or her grades online. Most teachers have their own website and will communicate to let you know of assignments due. This shows the Teacher you are actively working with your child. This is also a good opportunity to find out what the Teacher is doing to further help in his/her development as well. *If Dad travels and you have a Math question you need help with, text it to Dad or call a friend in your class that can help answer the problem. Encourage your children to approach the Teacher after or before class. Let them know it is all right to ask the Teacher to explain something further so you understand it. Suggest they approach the Teacher and ask "I don't understand problem number...when would be a good time to meet with you to help me understand it better. I can meet after school, or during my study period." *Cell phones need to be docked to recharge in a central location where children do not have access to them after 8:30 PM or 9 PM. They will text all night long with friends if they have that ability. No phones during homework time. Also, safety reasons do not keep cell phones near your child's bed charging in the event the battery over heated. Younger children need to be away from distractions (toys). *No video games during the week. T.V. only if homework is done. You might even consider limiting T.V. and encourage your children to go outside and play instead. *Set up an area for each of them to study that is quiet. Do not let them study on their bed because they associate bed with sleep and may fall asleep doing homework. Separate them so they do not distract or interrupt each other.
*Help them to break down tasks. For example if their test is on Thursday this doesn't mean we study for it on Wednesday. Study a little bit each day. Break it down into small tasks each day to improve memory of the material. *Let them eat a nutritious snack while they are doing homework. (i.e., Fruit, Apple, Pear, Carrots, Crackers etc.,) It relieves tension in the jaw and helps to alleviate stress when studying. *Teach your children to help each other. All for one, one for all. No fun activities until EVERY one is done with their homework. They can help each other by asking questions or using flash cards for smaller children. *Just as you plan for supper; plan for study time. *As a parent, be consistent. If your child is asked to sleep over another child's house and homework is not completed. Say no, or maybe if he/she completes his/her homework first before allowing the sleep over. Be consistent with the rule. If you say yes, it sends the message to your children it is negotiable. "Oh, Mom, can't I do it later?" Homework first. *Treat Friday like every other day during the week. Homework. This will eliminate the Sunday night - I need poster board question. *Buy extra poster board or science project board to keep on hand for family projects etc., *Got teenagers? Homework for sale online is NEVER the answer. Teachers are completely aware of this. *Meet the teachers. When you have multiple children it is impossible to do it on the one night of open house at the school. Every teacher has a conference period. Schedule a brief time where you can just check in. Shows your children that you and his/her teacher talk to each other about his/her progress. In addition, it shows the teacher that you are an active participant in your child's development. *No T.V.'s on when homework is being done. *If you are waiting to pick up another child from an after school activity encourage the others to do their homework while waiting in the car. Schedule study time for each child. *After homework is completed. Call each one by one to review it. Reward your children with praise on doing a good job and finishing his/her homework. *Check their backpacks daily. Look for food gone bad, clothes that need to be washed, check notebooks for organization or if they need to be replaced. *Place items by the door for the next day so your morning is organized to get everyone off to school. *Offer two passes for elementary children if they forget something. Middle School one. High School none. What this means is sometimes we forget stuff. Elementary children can call Mom or Dad to ask them to bring it two times each per school year. Anything after that they must accept the zero because it is their responsibility to remember and keep track of what they need for school. One pass for Middle School children because they need to learn to be responsible. Imagine if parents forgot their presentation for their job. High School kids none because they must take responsibility for their actions. Soon they will be off to College and Mom or Dad is not going to be there to get them to class or find their papers.
"When our children are doing homework we are usually helping one or more of our children with the task. This doesn't leave much time for preparing, cooking, and serving supper. The best way to have homecooked meals is to cook meat half way through and freeze it in advance. Do this when you can. It will freeze up to 3-6 months. Meat usually takes the longest to cook and this cuts down prep time. I do this on a Sunday. Easy meals like casseroles that can be refrigerated and placed in the oven to heat up work best. Assign children tasks for setting and clearing the table. We have them draw pieces of paper from a jar. One has a smile face on it that allows them a 'free night' of not having to help with supper. If someone makes honor roll we let them choose carry out on a day of their choice. Vegetables are non negotiable at supper time. There are great plan ahead meals you can freeze. If my 7 year old twins get a 100 on their spelling test they get to choose the exit seat for drop off for school in the morning. If they both get it we flip a coin for who gets it today and who will get it tomorrow. I keep a small index size spiral notebook to write it down or put it in my phone calendar to help to remember. Sometimes it is better to lose the battle and win the war. You know your situation better than anyone. One mother of triplets has two of her boys on the Football 7th grade team. One of them didn't want to try out. Instead he is one of the Managers of the Football Team and helps with waters and equipment. Helps Mom because they are all together after school so she can work. Remember you and your spouse are a team. Don't disagree with each other in front of the children. Be one consistent force. Appreciate each others contribution and verbalize it as much as possible." - D.Munden