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Helping your kids with their homework can be a bit of a fine line. You want your children to be successful in school, but you don’t want to exceed what’s appropriate in helping with their achievements. Try these terrific strategies to support your children without going too far.
Set a Routine
Establishing a routine is a key in helping your kids thrive in school. In fact, some researchers feel it is the single most important factor in supporting your children’s scholastic achievements. Most children benefit from a half hour break when first getting home, consisting of a little downtime and a snack. However, whether your child works best right after getting home, following a round of shooting hoops, or waiting until after supper, the important factor is the routine, not when it occurs. You can try different schedules to see what arrangement matches your child’s energy and attention level best, and when you find the one that works, stick to it. On weekends, look for a window of time that suits your child’s needs and fits well with family activities.
Basic Parameters
Once you set a routine, you need rules to structure and maximize your child’s time. The Child Development Institute recommends keeping study time free of the television. A radio can be playing if your youngster seems to work well with it turned on, and you may need to allow phone use for collaboration on homework and school projects. However, if phone time becomes an issue, try placing a timer next to the phone with a limit on usage.
Workspace
Everyone needs a place to work that suits their work style well, and having a designated place to do homework helps maintain a routine. Some children will do best quietly working in their bedrooms, some on the couch, and others at the kitchen table while you prepare supper. Allow your youngster to choose her spot as long as she is truly engaging in homework and not being distracted by video games or other devices. If you’re short on room, look into adding a corner desk - they fit better in smaller spaces, yet still provide a special study area for your child. Also, in order to maximize productivity, KidsHealth recommends keeping school supplies close at hand. Set up a caddy or tote with all the goodies your youngster needs.
When Your Child Hits a Wall
Nearly every child struggles at some point. If you find your youngster isn’t doing well with an assignment, it’s important to steer clear of “reteaching” the material. You could confuse your kid with an alternate method or different information. Instead, get in touch with the teacher, and explain that your child needs additional instruction.
Learning Fun
Don’t allow electronic devices to become your kids’ sole form of leisure. Make sure you offer fun, educational endeavors for your children which are not school-related. For instance, you can encourage your youngster to participate in outdoor learning activities right in your own backyard. Your kid can enjoy doing things like bird watching, raising seedlings, identifying rocks or stargazing. Spending time outside gives kids a chance to soak up fresh air and sunshine, from which Child Mind Institute notes your kids can reap a number of mental and physical health benefits. Playing in nature builds confidence, promotes imagination and creativity, teaches responsibility, and makes kids think. Getting outdoors also encourages exercise and provides sensory stimulation that children don’t receive in an indoor setting. Also, kids who spend time in nature experience reduced risk for stress and anxiety. The benefits of time in the great outdoors are unique and worthwhile, especially when combined with educational activities.
Support for success
As a parent, you want to provide structure and support without overstepping appropriate bounds. Set rules and a routine, provide a great workspace, get help when your youngster needs it, and look for ways to enhance learning with outdoor fun. These great strategies will set your child up for scholastic success!
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