How many times a night do you have to tell your child to start (or finish) their homework? If you’re like most parents, it’s probably more than a few.
It may seem like this back and forth is just part of being a parent, but it doesn’t have to be. By collaborating with your child, you can establish a simple homework routine that works for the both of you.
With a little structure and a bit of preparation, you’ll be able to keep your kid on task with a whole lot less stress and anxiety for the both of you. Here’s how.
1. Create a dedicated homework space
If you’ve ever worked from home (or needed a quiet place to do your taxes), you know how important a calm, dedicated workspace can be. The same applies for your child.
That’s why it’s essential to have a space dedicated to homework and studying.
But not all homework spaces are created equal. Try to stay away from common areas like the kitchen unless your child needs support to stay on task.
You can even make the space more calming by adding fidgets, stress balls, essential oils, a candle, or their favorite blanket. Work with your child to make the space inviting. If they like being there, they’re less likely to grumble when homework time comes around.
2. Set a schedule for homework time (and be consistent)
Most kids need a little break after school. Maybe they need to let out some energy outdoors or grab a snack to fuel up. Whatever the case, the break between school and homework should not exceed an hour .
If you let them go longer than that, your child will likely switch off school mode and switch on their iPad. When that happens, it becomes even harder to get them to finish their homework.
So set a schedule and stick to it. But don’t create a new routine all by yourself. Make sure to get your child’s buy-in. If they feel like they’re part of the process, they’re more likely to stick to the schedule (without too much grief).
Here’s a sample schedule to get you started:
3:00pm - Come home and put materials in your homework space
3:15pm - Eat a snack
3:30–4:00pm - Play or relax
4:00pm - Start homework
Also remember to be flexible. Things come up. So allow for slight changes and encourage your child to come up with a new plan for the day.
3. Develop a check-in system
Kids hate it when you ask them repeatedly if they’ve finished their homework. Sure, it’s the easiest way to check in on their progress, but unfortunately, you’re just making homework more stressful than it needs to be.
Instead, work with your child to create a to-do list. They can cross off each item as they complete it and leave the to-do list open for you to check each day. If your child is more tech savvy, you can even us a Google doc.
If you’re worried about whether your child is being honest, do a spot-check every now and again and ask them to show you their completed homework.
But remember, a good check-in system only works when it’s built on trust . So make sure to sit down with your child to create one that works for both of you.
4. Reinforce homework routines with rewards
If you’re like most parents, you’re probably a bit resistant to the idea of
rewarding kids for doing their homework . After all, homework is a kid’s responsibility, right?
I get it. But here’s a better way to think about it: Don’t you ever reward yourself for taking care of your responsibilities? Who doesn’t love a piece of chocolate cake or a glass of wine after a long week? I know I do!
It’s the same thing with homework. Think of it as a reward for their independence, staying on task, and committing to the routine you established. A small incentive can go a long way in reducing homework stress and the nightly shouting matches.
So what kind of reward am I talking about? Think small. Here are a few ideas:
· 30 minutes on their iPad, computer, or video game console
· Extra time to hang out with a friend
· Let them choose the family movie or game
Put Your New Homework Routine into Action
Now that you know how to create a mutually beneficial homework routine, it’s time to put it into action! By adding structure to the time after school, you and your child will experience less stress and arguments around homework.
And remember to make your child a part of all the decisions . By collaborating with them, you can create a routine that’s sustainable all year long. And when you build that routine on trust, you won't always have to ask, “Did you do your homework?” You’ll already know the answer.
Comment below and let us know what strategies you are using to reduce homework stress, either successfully or unsuccessfully. Don’t worry, sometimes it takes a few different approaches before finding the one that works.
For all things parenting, make sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter . And if you’re a Virginia resident looking for teletherapy, request an appointment today .
How to Beat Your Kids Summer Boredom: Tips for National Anti-Boredom Month
Set Intentions & Create Healthy Habits
Understanding the Impact: How to Support Family Members of Individuals with Mental Health Issues
Your browser is ancient! Upgrade to a different browser or install Google Chrome Frame to experience this site.
The Everymom’s product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Do you remember the years when it seemed like homework was a part of your daily routine? For many of us with kids, diving into homework for the first time may bring up some old feelings from our own school days. I used to love doing schoolwork at home up until middle school when having to complete homework for six classes seemed overwhelming. Besides that, I was interested in everything that impacted pre-teens , like gossip and crushes. That seemed more important than keeping up with homework.
a brand new HP printer and ink delivery for as low as $6.99 a month? yes, please.
So it should come as no surprise when our own kids have a hard time with homework and act like they’d prefer to do anything else. Perhaps, they struggle with focusing at home or understanding a subject. Not to mention some subjects are taught differently today, so it can also be tough for parents to help with homework.
It may feel easier for them to protest than to admit why they dislike homework. This can feel frustrating for you as the parent. Whether their protests look like throwing temper tantrums or simply refusing to do the work, we talked to teachers Aimee Scott (third grade) and Krista Luedtke (sixth grade) and they shared six tips that’ll help you get your kids interested in homework.
Communicate with your kid’s teacher.
Scott and Luedtke agreed it’s important to discuss any concerns you notice with your child’s teacher. “The first thing to do is talk to your child’s teacher and let them know your concerns,” said Scott. If they’re refusing to complete homework, Luedtke said, “It may be that your child is getting plenty of class time to complete their work but may not be using it wisely.” If that’s the case, Scott said sometimes teachers would give out alternate assignments if that might help inspire a kiddo to complete homework. Or some teachers offer partial or full credit for showing the work, even if the answer isn’t correct.
It’s normal for kids to struggle with different school subjects. In fact, you may have struggled with understanding things like history or math yourself. However, Luedtke suggested that you avoid making negative comments about your experience in order to relate to your child. “This can instantly tell your child that school is negative or that they too are bad at math,” she said. If you are frustrated or crying over your kid’s homework , Luedtke suggested looking it up yourself—either through school resources or a Google search—or reaching out to the teacher.
Source: Canva
If you haven’t tried this already, Luedtke suggested creating a space at home that allows your kid to focus on homework. “ Whether it is a desk in their bedroom or simply a dedicated space at the kitchen counter, be sure your child has a hard surface to work on, bright light, and minimal distractions,” she said. You know your kid more than anyone. So, you may have to identify and remove their distractions before creating a learning space for them to do their homework.
To minimize the chance your kid will associate this space with the work they’ve been uninterested in completing, you can add interesting elements to it. “By adding cute posters, a fun lamp, readily available school supplies or a comfy chair, the space be ‘fun,'” said Luedtke. She personally loves to search for Pinterest ideas that are centered around creating a positive, safe space for kids to do homework.
As always, having a routine for your kid helps them develop positive habits as well. By incorporating homework into the usual after-school routine, kids come to expect it and might be more willing to get their assignments done before moving on to something else.
download this free, printable chart to keep kids' after-school tasks on track
I know you’re probably thinking, “I thought minimal distractions is important!” It is, but if your child isn’t easily distracted by background noise, you may find that playing soft music is beneficial for them. Luedtke said, “As a classroom teacher, I’ve noticed that some students really thrive when they have background music playing. Not only can this help with focus, but it can put them in a good mood.”
One way to look at this is to think about how you respond to music. Maybe you’re the mom who listens to music while cleaning your home. Not only do you enjoy hearing your favorite tunes, but it may also help you feel more productive. If this is true for you, then it may also apply to your child.
You may find that your child responds well to visual aids that show their daily or weekly homework progress. For example, “If you want your child to read for 20 minutes each night, you can put a timer on your phone or the TV,” said Luedtke. However, she cautioned, “Sometimes this can distract children as well, so use your best judgment.” Should your child become distracted by the timer on your phone or television, Luedtke suggested you try utilizing the visual tools on Classroomscreen.com . There are different resources available that you may find work better for you and your child.
Another tool you can utilize is a printable homework template that allows you and your child to see their homework progress in real-time. “This can be kept on your fridge, and your child can mark off each day they complete their work. Visual trackers are powerful for children,” said Luedtke. Scott also agreed and said, “They can add a sticker or a stamp to the chart.”
4 animals available
a homework tracker can help them visualize their progress each day
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for—the completion of your child’s homework. Scott said, “I suggest parents try setting small goals. For example, break assignments up into sections and reward them with a piece of candy.”
Alternatively, Luedtke said, “Celebrate your child by going out for pizza on Fridays or letting them have a friend over. Kids really, really like to work towards a goal—especially if there is a reward at the end.”
If your child gets easily frustrated with their homework or doesn’t want to complete it, helping them can be tough. If you ask yourself daily, “Does it get easier?” know you’re not alone. In those moments, try to look at it from your child’s perspective. They’re constantly experiencing information overload, just like us. This can cause them to avoid anything that feels similar at home.
Will it require a lot of patience and consistency to help your kid navigate completing their homework? Of course. But hopefully, some of these teacher-approved tips can help make it just a little bit less painful.
How one child with adhd learned to actually love homework — and how your child can, too..
A very smart 10-year-old named Zach used to come home from school, sigh heavily, drop his backpack on the floor and say, “I don’t have any homework !”
“How ’bout math? You usually have math ,” his dad said.
“I don’t wanna,” says Zach, “It’s stupid and boring” (which usually means, “It’s too hard”).
Dad coaxed, encouraged, sweet-talked, and bribed his son, to no avail. Zach resisted doing his homework almost every night.
Zach’s dad and mom shared their frustration and worry with Zach’s teacher and, together, they worked out an arrangement, a plan to motivate Zach to get his work done — and boost his resilience and confidence along the way.
[ Free Resource: Solve Common Homework Frustrations ]
The following day after the meeting, Zach’s teacher asked all of the kids to take a look at their homework and pick out three of the 15 problems assigned that they were most likely to get right. She didn’t ask them to pick the easiest problems, but she built in some easy items to make this work better up front.
Then she asked the kids to use a 5-point scale to rate the difficulty level of each problem: 1 is thumbs up, a piece of cake; 5 is super hard. She asked the class to write a number next to the problem and to rate their ability to do each of these independently (1= no help needed). She said, “OK, tonight you have to do these three problems. Please show them to a parent to explain what you’re doing. You can do the rest of the problems, but you don’t have to if you run out of time or energy.”
The next day the teacher asked the kids to talk about whether their difficulty rating was accurate: “What number would you assign, now that you’ve done it? And how about the independence rating…were you right? Any changes there? Did you need more help than you thought you would?” The teacher added: “How confident do you feel about the answers to these three problems?” Again, she asked them to use a rating scale.
She handed out the correct answers and asked the class, “How did you do? How do you feel about doing this activity? We’re going to do something like this again tonight, but this time I want you to double the number of problems you tackle.”
[ 12 Shortcuts for Kids Who Hate Homework ]
After the kids — all the kids, not just Zach — circled six items, the teacher asked them how they felt about this challenge. The next day she talked with the class about competence and confidence again. When all the kids said they felt good about their work, she said, “This is the way you should feel about all, or at least most, of your homework.”
On the third day, in keeping with the plan the parents worked out with the teacher, the teacher announced, “Tonight you must do all of your homework. Tell your parents about this and tell them you want to try to do the problems by yourself, but let them know you may need their help. This time, you will do three things: 1) Mark down your start/stop times. I want to see how long it takes each of you to do the same assignment. Don’t worry: I won’t disclose this info to anyone. 2) Rate the level of adult assistance you got. 3) Tomorrow I’ll ask you to give the assignment a confidence rating.”
The teacher asked the kids to show their homework to their parents, having identified in class the three items that will be the most challenging. She included one item that is really hard and said, “You have to do the three problems that you rated as most difficult, and you have to do this ‘extra hard’ one that I added. It’s very likely that some of you will make mistakes, and this is good. Because tomorrow we’re going to have an ‘error repair clinic.’”
Sure enough, some of the kids made errors. The teacher assigned kids to repair teams. Their job was to find out where the error-maker went wrong. Then, as a team, they “repaired” the problem and presented their thought process (and the correct answer) to the class or a larger subgroup.
This little exercise boosted Zach’s confidence. He is less afraid of making mistakes, and knows now that his job is to find and fix inevitable errors. His attitude about homework has changed: He is more likely to look at math as a challenge that can be overcome; he’ll know the joy of success that will keep the momentum going; and he will spend less time in “I can’t” land. In short, he is more likely to bend and rebound rather than freeze up and break when faced with a challenge at school or in life.
What’s more, parents and teacher have learned how to build success together. By the way, you can bet that, for every Zach, there are six kids in a classroom who need this kind of training. I’m sure the teacher will be getting a lot of thank-you notes from parents who find homework time more peaceful.
When Zach’s teacher tells her students that “this is the way you should feel when you do your homework,” she is stating the approach I advocate. To be effective, homework should give opportunities to kids to do things that they learned how to do during the day, and that they believe they can do pretty successfully. There should also be some challenge built into homework, some reason for kids to push themselves closer to what I call the “boundary of their competence.”
Homework should never be used to introduce or teach a new concept. This puts a lot of kids on the edge of their incompetence. It is not a good idea, because kids will shy away from tasks that don’t make them feel smart and look competent.
If you like the plan Zach’s parents worked out with his teacher but find yourself thinking, “Yeah, but my child’s teacher won’t go along with it,” do this: Give your child’s teacher a copy of this article and ask them to e-mail me — [email protected] — telling me how the plan worked. Tell them I’d like to add their comments to a growing list from other teachers who rave about this simple and effective approach.
You can use this method at home, as long as your child’s teacher agrees that your child will complete fewer problems in the short run. The goal is to get back to the expected level of solving problems, but with less stress and more success. Who could argue with that?
Remember, if most homework requires help from adults, kids don’t get the chance to feel the joy of independence from doing it on their own. When little kids master a task on their own, they cry out: “Look, Mommy, I did it!” (Remember those sweet moments?) That’s what kids should feel when they do homework.
[ How to Cut Homework Time In Half ]
SUPPORT ADDITUDE Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing . Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.
Adhd newsletter, success @ school, strategies for homework, accommodations, ieps, working with school & more..
It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form.
Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Monash University
Lecturer, Monash University
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Monash University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.
View all partners
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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).
Homework is one of the best opportunities for kids to practice being self-starters. But how can parents encourage this self-reliance in their kids and avoid fighting over homework?
It had been nearly an hour since my eight-year-old had begun her vocabulary homework. With four pages still to go, she was on the verge of tears and sleepiness as we approached bedtime.
She was overwhelmed and in over her head.
The issue wasn’t an exorbitant amount of homework, but rather that she had left this assignment for the last minute. With a week to complete a unit in her workbook, she hadn’t planned carefully enough, and now was scrambling to get it done the evening before it was due.
This was the first year my oldest had received homework. Wanting to give her a sense of ownership over this responsibility, I had generally let her determine when and how to complete her work .
But as I sat beside her and saw her struggle, I wondered if I had done too little to coach her in time management. Not wanting to become a dreaded helicopter parent, I had probably overcompensated in the opposite direction.
After this experience, I felt a little lost – wondering how much checking in with kids about their homework was too much and how much was too little. Where was the balance?
Searching for answers, I decided to dig into this topic. After identifying three experts in this field, I reached out to them and arranged interviews. Here’s what they told me:
The first thing I learned, not surprisingly, is that my approach to letting my daughter figure out time management on her own was all wrong.
The experts I spoke to pointed out that few young kids have executive functioning skills or the ability to plan ahead when they first begin receiving homework – often in early elementary school. This lack of organizational understanding can be a barrier to getting homework done.
Here’s what they suggest parents do to help their kids develop these skills:
Help kids plan their homework with this weekly homework planner. Click on the link below to access the planner. In addition to receiving the planner, you’ll also be signed up for my weekly-ish newsletter with tips on how to raise independent, self-reliant kids:
Every child is different. But after a year or two of getting help from parents on these intermediary steps towards better time-management, most kids are ready to take on independently the full responsibility of homework management.
But how can parents know if their child is ready? “By asking a lot of questions”, Dolin says.
“How might you organize this? How long are you going to spend on this? Depending on their answers to these questions you can tell if they can be independent,” she says.
Questions about organization and time management also help kids begin problem-solving on their own. And once you’ve seen a consistent pattern of kids having a well-thought-out plan for completing their homework, you can begin to step back and let kids manage their own time.
Ready to teach your child life skills? These cards can help! Each card in this eighty-one deck contains a skill your child can begin practicing with you or on their own. Click here or the image below to learn more.
Often without even knowing it, parents get in the way of their kids’ independence with homework and other responsibilities. Here are a few things to avoid in order to raise kids who are homework self-starters:
Don’t focus too heavily on the quality of the work: It’s natural for parents to want their kids to do their best school work. But leave the quality of the work up to the teacher, Dolin says. “I hear of so many fights about the quality of work between parents and students,” she says. “And then kids will start to avoid homework. The goal of homework – especially when kids are younger – is to practice skills and learn independence and responsibility.”
Braun agrees: “I don’t believe that parents should correct their kids’ homework. The quality of the homework is between the child and teacher. How else will the teacher know what the kid needs help on?” She also notes that parents often think they are helping their kids by getting involved in their homework, or not letting them fail. But parents don’t realize the message they’re sending – that their child is not capable or good enough.
Don’t create your own consequences for incomplete homework: Again, let that be between the student and the teacher. If a student doesn’t finish his homework, “he must deal with his teacher,” Dr. Frances Walfish , a family and relationship psychotherapist, says. “Don’t bail him out, criticise, or chastise him,” she continues. Let the teacher decide what the consequence will be and eventually he should begin to realize that it’s easier to get homework done the night before.
If a child declares that she won’t do her homework on a particular evening, parents can state – in a non-threatening way – that they ‘ ll write the child’s teacher and make them aware of her decision, Braun suggests. But she warns that parents still need to be alert to tiredness, an uneasiness about getting started or other reasons why kids might resisting doing their homework – and address those reasons first.
Don’t do homework with your kids : “Don’t get in the habit of doing homework with your child too much. Parents get in the habit of doing the homework with the child and when it’s time for kids to do their homework on their own they haven’t had the experience of doing it alone,” Braun says. This gets back to the notion of making sure kids understand what they need to accomplish and then walking away to let them work on their own. “A seven or eight-year-old should be able to get his homework done on his own.” she says.
Don’t send the general message that your child isn’t capable: By constantly correcting kids – not letting them try and fail – and doing things for them that they’re capable of doing on their own, we are sending the message to kids that they aren’t capable, Braun says. But by “working to cultivate self-reliance early on you are putting kids in a position to make them self-starters in everything including homework.”
After that fateful evening of disappointment and frustration, I changed my tactic in helping my daughter plan her time.
“Let’s sit down and decide when you will have an opportunity to work on your vocabulary homework for this week.” I began to ask her every Monday evening. Play practice was on Thursdays, basketball on Wednesdays. That left Monday and Tuesday as the best evenings for her to work on her assignment.
Writing out the days of the week, we determined on which evening she would have more time to get her work done.
As the weeks progressed, she became more aware of how much time was needed and how long an assignment would take. Sure, there were a few hiccups along the way, but by the end of the year, she was just about ready to tackle homework on her own.
And now that’s she’s in fifth grade, that work has paid off. While every now and then she still discovers she hasn’t allowed enough time to finish a math assignment or didn’t read her book report book quite as quickly as she had hoped, on most weeks her homework is complete – and she gets to bed on time.
Interested in getting your kids started on chores? My four-lesson course will teach you how to get started, avoid nagging & power struggles, and keep your kids motivated. Click here or the image below to learn more.
See related:
15 Life Skills Kids Need Before They Leave Home
10 Life Lessons Kids Need to Experience Before They Leave Home
How to Raise Responsible Kids – Not Just Obedient Ones
1. subscribe to self-sufficient kids’ email list., 2. take one of my quizzes.
Find out if you’re raising a self-sufficient kid ( click here ) or if you’re doing too much for your kids ( click here ). At the end of each quiz, you’ll be asked to provide your email address to see the results.
Learn how to get your child started on chores (& keep them motivated + avoid power struggles) by enrolling in my Get Your Kids Successfully Started on Chores course. Click here to learn more and sign up.
Hi! I’m Kerry, the mother of two girls and a certified parent educator. I believe it is possible for parents to have a supportive, loving, and warm relationship with their kids while raising them to be independent and ultimately self-sufficient. Over the years, I’ve read numerous books and articles that support this belief and I’ve put these ideas into practice with my own kids. Read more about me and Self-Sufficient Kids here.
How to Teach Number Recognition to Kids in 8 Easy Steps
How to Teach One to One Correspondence To Kids: 4 Easy Steps
How to Teach Odd and Even Numbers in 4 Easy Steps
How to Teach Long Division to Kids in 6 Easy Steps
15 Famous Mathematicians in History That Kids Should Know
8 Types of Preschool Programs for Kids in 2024
6-year-old Developmental Milestones Checklist
How to Prepare a Schedule for Kindergarten With Examples
How to Prepare a Schedule for Preschoolers With Sample
12 Best Funny Short Stories for Kids to Read in 2024
How to teach decoding in 9 simple steps.
300+ Halloween Words From A-Z for Kids [Free Downloadable]
17 Best Guided Reading Activities for Teachers
190+ Fall Words From A-Z for Kids [Free Downloadable List]
11 Best Coloring Apps for Kids [Android & iOS]
12 Best Reading Bulletin Board Ideas for Your Classroom
15 Fun Summer Bulletin Board Ideas for 2024
13 Best Assessment Tools for Teachers in 2024
12 Best STEM Programs for Kids in 2024
“Do your homework!” Whining, procrastinating, and full-on tantrums may ensue, but it doesn’t have to be like that. With the right attitude and a motivator or two, you can make doing homework fun for your kids.
Kids see fun ., you see real learning outcomes ..
Watch your kids fall in love with math & reading through our scientifically designed curriculum.
Sometimes the thought of your child having to do homework after being in school all day is frustrating. However, to help make the task more pleasant for your kids and yourself, here are 5 ways to make homework fun!
1. Magical Motivators
Use incentives to get your children to do their homework without a fight. Small snacks, stickers, iPad time, or toys work well for younger children. Older children might be motivated more by privileges like TV and Computer time or larger rewards like money. Whatever you use, remember your ultimate goal is to help develop good habits for the future.
2. Write it for Them
No, that doesn’t mean doing it for them. It might seem counter-intuitive, but if you mix up the routine, and have your child dictate the answers to you, they will be a lot more interested in the actual subject material. This also gives you a special opportunity to bond with your child. Not all homework can be done this way, but try to be creative and change up your child’s homework routine.
3. Learning Apps
Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn’t understand the material. Fun math practice apps can be a great resource for visual examples and games that help your child practice concepts he is struggling with. So, make homework fun by getting an app that makes the subject easy for your child.
4. Get a Homework Buddy
Turn homework into a play date. Have your child invite a friend over and encourage them to do their homework together. Make sure you lay down a few rules ahead of time. Then you can reward the children with free time and a snack after they complete their work. How fun is that?
5. Don’t Take it Too Serious
There are more important things in life than homework and grades. Too much emphasis on grades can destroy your child’s love of learning and devalue relationships. Think about what values you want to instill in your child and make sure the homework is not getting in the way. If you believe your child’s teacher is giving out too much homework after you see your child demonstrate an understanding of the subject, don’t be afraid to voice your concern. Even if nothing changes, it will show your children that you care and empathize with them. That can go a long way!
How do you make homework more fun for your kids? Let us know your ways at [email protected]
Thanks for reading!
How can i make homework fun.
Recent posts.
Math & ela | prek to grade 5, kids see fun., you see real learning outcomes..
Watch your kids fall in love with math & reading through our scientifically designed curriculum.
Parents, try for free Teachers, use for free
© Copyright - SplashLearn
Boost your child’s learning., make study time fun.
Help your child excel in math and reading with engaging activities tailored for success this year!
Parents, Try for Free
When Juliana Porter thinks about the feeling that homework induces, one word comes to mind: dread.
“The subject we’ve found to be the most challenging is math, in large part because strategies and ‘show your work’ are often required to get correct answers,” says the North Carolina mom of three. “But as parents who are not in the class to learn new methods, we’re not able to help. Or we can help, but it’s not the correct method being taught and adds to our child’s confusion.”
The Porter family’s experience isn’t unique. Research published in the Child & Youth Care Forum found more than 25% of parents and kids say homework “always or often interferes with family time and creates a power struggle.” And according to an additional study conducted by a Stanford researcher, 56% of students surveyed say homework is a primary source of stress.
parents/getty images
While many families do their best to help their children complete homework with as little frustration as possible, my family has chosen a different option: to simply skip it. For four years, my family has totally opted out of homework, which I’ve learned doesn’t produce enough benefits for the stress it causes. And I want other parents to know that opting out of homework is an option for their kids, too.
If your child goes to an open admissions public school, opting out of homework can be something you consider. While it may be a particularly good choice if homework is causing major household stress, you don’t have to wait until your child is miserable to act if they (or you) would simply prefer to spend the time in other ways. There are no legal requirements that students complete work outside of school hours and, for many children, the actual determinants of homework outweigh the theoretical benefits.
To opt out, I send a note to each of my children's teachers at the beginning of the year letting them know that my child will not be completing homework, that their overall grade should not be impacted, and that they should not be penalized in any way for not turning in homework assignments.
I also let them know that we're committed to our kids' education, that we read together most evenings, and that, if my child is struggling or needs extra support in any subject, we're happy to brainstorm solutions to help them get the practice they need.
Opting out has worked well for our family but implicit bias might mean that other families don't receive the same neutral or positive reaction that our white family does.
"Many historically marginalized families never consider opting out of homework, even when they know that it's not meaningful," says Sequoya Mungo, PhD , an educational equity consultant and co-founder of BrownLight Inc. , a company helping to create positive diversity and inclusion results in educational, nonprofit, and corporate environments. "When white families make these types of educational choices, they are viewed as forward-thinking and as advocates for their children's education. When non-middle class and non-white families opt out, the assumption is that parents don't value education.”
According to Dr. Mungo, coming with research or policy can be helpful as even some school level administrators are unaware that opting out is within your rights as parents. “The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to not be met with pushback.”
Since homework is so prevalent, many assume it's vital, or at least important, to kids' academic growth. But the reality is murkier. "There's really no good evidence that homework completion positively impacts kids' academic growth or achievement," says Samantha Cleaver, PhD , a reading interventionist and author of Raising an Active Reader: The Case for Reading Aloud to Engage Elementary School Youngsters .
A 2006 meta-analysis of homework and achievement found moderate correlation in middle school and little correlation in elementary school, while there was negative correlation (that is, more homework means less learning) in third grade and below.
While research shows homework can help high school kids improve grades, test results, and likelihood of going to college, the reality is academic pressures in the U.S. have increased over the last two decades, and so too has the amount of homework that kids are assigned. The National Education Association (NEA) recommends no more than 10 minutes of homework per night per grade level, but that's often not what's happening.
Excessive homework can negatively impact sleep, mental health, and stress levels . It’s also important to note homework is an issue of equity, since not every child has the same opportunities at home.
"When kids are doing work in school, the classroom environment serves as somewhat of an equalizer,'' says Dr. Mungo. "Kids have access to the same teacher and generally the same resources within the classroom setting. At home, kids have different environments, different access to resources, and different levels of support." This means kids with less support and more challenges often end up getting lower grades or being penalized for not turning in work for reasons totally outside their control.
Parents who don't want to be the only ones opting out can work to change the homework culture at their school. Consider reaching out to your principal about your homework concerns or connecting with other parents or the PTA to help build support for your cause.
And if you do opt out, don't be shy about letting other parents know that's what you've chosen to do. Sometimes just knowing there is an option and that others have opted out successfully can help families decide what's right for them.
When Porter thinks about what a life without homework would be like, she envisions a much more relaxed evening routine. “I imagine a scenario where my kids can do their after-school activities , read more, get outside, and generally just decompress from the daily eight-hour grind that is school,” she says.
If you opt out of homework and find your family with more time for other sorts of learning, leisure, or adventure, be thoughtful about how you’ll structure your new routine and talk with your kids about the value of doing nothing, the importance of family time, or how to spend their time in ways that matter to them.
And if you want to be sure they're getting in some valuable post-school learning, consider repurposing your previous homework time to reading with your kids. "Reading aloud has benefits long after your kids can read on their own," says Dr. Cleaver. "Encourage them to choose books about subjects they're interested in, snuggle up together, and enjoy watching them learn through active reading."
But reading isn’t the only way to reap benefits. "There are lots of things that kids can do after school that will positively impact their growth and development that don't involve sitting down to do more of the work they've done at school,'' says Dr. Cleaver. " Time to decompress through play or relaxation isn't just fun, it actually helps kids' brains and bodies relax, making them more open to learning."
Homework and Children in Grades 3–6: Purpose, Policy and Non-Academic Impact . Child Youth Care Forum.
Nonacademic Effects of Homework in Privileged, High-Performing High Schools . The Journal of Experimental Education
Suitable Homework Boosts Highschool Learning Effects . World Journal of Education.
How much homework is too much? National Education Association.
Learn how to make leaf-rubbing art, one of the most fun art projects you can do with your kids in the fall. Gather all kinds of leaves when you and your kids are taking a walk outside and use them to create a colorful fall-inspired art piece.
This project is suitable for all ages, and it is an easy and fun one.
More art with leaf for your kids to explore:
We’re sure you did this project as a kid, if not with leaves, then with coins for sure. This is one of those projects that many generations have enjoyed making.
What you need:
You will need a sheet of paper, regular paper is best here, craft paper works too if you have larger leaves with harder veins.
It’s time for some art. You can work with fresh or dry leaves (just not to dry so that they would break).
Place the leaf under the paper. You can tape it in place with washi tape or something similar (but it’s not necessary).
Have kids pick their favorite crayon (we used an orange one) and color over the leaf’s shape, pressing as much as necessary for the leaf veins to start showing on the paper.
Watch as its texture appears on the paper. This is almost magical.
Remove the leaf and repeat the process, either with the same leaf or another one.
We continued using the same crayon, but the kids could switch to another one.
You can use one crayon for all leaves or you can use more colors, either fall themed ones or any other selection your kids like.
Move the leaves around, switch up the colors, and rub the crayons over the leaves to create more fun prints. They can overlap too!
You can also trace around the edges of the leaves to make the shapes really pop.
Have the kids add as many leaves as they like.
See how the leaves overlap, we love the look of this.
You could have the kids also add other shapes and paint in the background… The sky is the limit.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way – it’s all about having fun!
Ta-da! Your unique leaf-rubbing art is complete.
You’ve combined nature and art to create something truly unique and beautiful.
With thousands of crafts, activities, worksheets, coloring pages, and drawing tutorials to print, you will always have just the resource you need at your disposal. Perfect for parents and teachers alike!
Related posts.
Fall brings an abundance of leaves, which make a great crafting material. Explore fall leaf…
Fall is the best time of the year to make some leaf crafts, and this…
Unleash your child or student's creativity with one of the many art projects for kids…
Fall brings out an abundance of materials to get crafty with and one of the…
Fall is a wonderful time of the year to get crafty with nature materials and…
One of the coolest art projects you can do with kids in the fall is…
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Third to fifth grades. Many children will be able to do homework independently in grades 3-5. Even then, their ability to focus and follow through may vary from day to day. "Most children are ...
Make it the rule that weekend activities don't happen until work is completed. Homework comes first. As James Lehman says, "The weekend doesn't begin until homework is done." Let Your Child Make Their Own Choices. I recommend that your child be free to make their own choices within the parameters you set around schoolwork.
Help them understand the purpose of learning and doing homework now. You're helping them make the right decision by letting them understand and face the natural consequences sooner rather than later. 6. Do homework with your child. Don't tell your kid that homework is important, show them through your action.
Low self-confidence. 2. Make Homework Time Easier. Make study time as easy as possible for your child by providing him or her with everything needed to get work done: Quiet space: Find a quiet, distraction-free space for your child to study. Food and drink: If your child is hungry, it can be hard to focus on work.
Step 4. Establish a daily homework schedule. In general, at least into middle school, the homework session should begin with your sitting down with your child and drawing up a homework schedule. You should review all the assignments and make sure your child understands them and has all the necessary materials.
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.
Let him take a brief break (no more than 5 minutes) between each work period and move around. Set a goal for each work period. Give your child enough work that she can complete with effort within the work period. For example, a goal could be to complete 10 math problems accurately in 10 minutes. Use a timer.
our folder in your backpack.Step 2: Identify the Rewards. e are all willing to work hard for a reward that we like. In this step, you'll ident. fy the rewards that are the most powerful for your child. You may want to include your child in the brainstorm-ing process so. that the rewards are meaningful and work.
Break it down. Reinforce breaking up homework time into manageable chunks and encourage taking regular breaks. Encourage moving around and walking away for a bit. Remind that an apple really does ...
Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there's an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary — and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible. Keep distractions to a minimum.
1. Pick a quiet spot. Create a quiet place for your children to do their homework. Keep distractions, like television and music, away from this area. Try to reduce the amount of people coming and going in this area, and keep younger children away from older ones who are trying to study. 2.
Once your child gets better at managing his time, completing his work, and getting organized, then it's time for you to back off. Let him do it on his own. Only step in if he is consistently having a problem. 5. Identify a Study Spot. Your child may need a quiet location away from brothers and sisters to study.
Plus, answering homework by themselves is a good way to teach independent learning. With that in mind, here are the homework tips for parents: 1. Work Out a Working Routine. Believe it or not, children love routines because they create structure.
Provide motivation. Show encouragement and appreciation of your child's hard work when he or she has completed his or her homework. Something as small as a high five or words of praise can boost your child's motivation. You can also offer small rewards, like a trip to the store or a special treat.
Here's a sample schedule to get you started: 3:00pm - Come home and put materials in your homework space. 3:15pm - Eat a snack. 3:30-4:00pm - Play or relax. 4:00pm - Start homework. Also remember to be flexible. Things come up. So allow for slight changes and encourage your child to come up with a new plan for the day.
Communicate with your kid's teacher. Scott and Luedtke agreed it's important to discuss any concerns you notice with your child's teacher. "The first thing to do is talk to your child's teacher and let them know your concerns," said Scott. If they're refusing to complete homework, Luedtke said, "It may be that your child is ...
On the third day, in keeping with the plan the parents worked out with the teacher, the teacher announced, "Tonight you must do all of your homework. Tell your parents about this and tell them you want to try to do the problems by yourself, but let them know you may need their help. This time, you will do three things: 1) Mark down your start ...
Any "to do" items that don't get done, can automatically get shifted to the next day. Or set a timer on your phone to prevent your kid from getting overwhelmed. ("Let's see how much you can get done in the next 10 minutes!") 2. The perfectionist. Beyond the pull of Pokémon, there may a deeper reason your kid is putting off homework.
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 ...
This avoids any assignments being turned in late. Make sure kids have some downtime: After a long day of school and activities, kids need a bit of downtime before digging into homework. "Most kids need at least a half hour to unwind," Dolin suggests. This downtime helps kids recharge and increases their ability to focus.
3. Learning Apps. Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn't understand the material. Fun math practice apps can be a great resource for visual examples and games that help your child practice concepts he is struggling with. So, make homework fun by getting an app that makes the subject easy for your child. 4.
Diane: Part of this is about understanding what your child really wants, and so it may be that your child's in line with you, and says, "I really don't want to do homework either." Or your child might be, "My gosh, I really want to get it done." A lot of our kids are focused on pleasing, and doing really well, and so that's the first thing, is ...
Procrastination makes easy things hard, and hard things harder. Does your child procrastinate doing homework every day? Does your kid avoid homework time? Le...
While research shows homework can help high school kids improve grades, test results, and likelihood of going to college, the reality is academic pressures in the U.S. have increased over the last ...
Learn how to make leaf-rubbing art, one of the most fun art projects you can do with your kids in the fall. Gather all kinds of leaves when you and your kids are taking a walk outside and use them to create a colorful fall-inspired art piece. This project is suitable for all ages, and it is an easy and fun one.
4. Make it fun. Yep, chores can be fun - even if that sounds hard to believe! Put your phones away or turn them off, and all do your chores together. Why not chat while you work or put some music on, or agree to do something together as a family once the chores are completed? Make it feel like a normal part of family life, as opposed to a ...
Here is my guide to the best things to do around Rochester with kids and teens on a weekend jaunt. Read More: 15 Ways To Make The Most of College Visits With Your Teen. Where To Stay: A Hampton Inn Surprise. The new Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown has opened literally steps from the Strong Museum.
Voters said the vice president talked about a sweeping vision to fix the country's most stubborn problems. But they wanted the fine print. By Jeremy W. Peters Jack Healy and Campbell Robertson ...