How to Take the Hassle Out of Homework
By: Shannon M. Dean

Most parents have heard a child eager to play promise his homework is a breeze he can complete in only a few minutes. Sometimes, however, twenty minutes before bedtime the assignment magically sprouts tricky components the child has forgotten and now can’t seem to grasp. Parents sometimes aren’t sure what to do. Every one is tired, the child is begging for help and it’s now way past bedtime. It can be excruciating for parents to sit on their hands and watch their child struggle through problems alone. Most experts say you don’t have to watch from the sidelines, but should draw the line between supporting and doing. Once you learn that and a few other tricks, experts say, you’ll begin to take a lot of the hassles out of homework

WHY SO MUCH HOMEWORK?

According to The U.S. Department Of Education, children who spend more time on homework do better academically than children who do not. Because class size and curriculum often demand teachers not spend too much time on any one subject, schools rely on homework to reinforce what was taught at school. This gives parents an opportunity to see what their child is learning and to help their student learn and study in the way the child learns best, one on one, for however long it takes, options sometimes not available to a child at school.

HOW YOU CAN HELP & HOW MUCH TO GIVE

First, parents need to show students that education and homework are a top priority and are totally non negotiable. Arrange your family’s schedule so that there is enough time to calmly and fully be present for homework. When to do the work depends on the child. Some children need time to decompress after school while others become more tired as the evening goes on and need to get it out of the way. Once you find what works best, don’t deviate so it becomes a habit. Make sure the environment is free of distractions and stocked with necessary supplies. That way, when the time and place are presented to your child, he knows it’s time to get to work. Offer incentives and rewards for a job well done like a special snack, uninterrupted play time and lots of praise.

Both the national PTA and the U.S. Department of Education agree that it’s not only acceptable but vital to give children plenty of encouragement and even restrained help with assignments. They suggest that parents be not only available but physically close by. Sometimes, your presence alone will be enough to motivate your child and get her rolling. Other times, your child may need your direct help. This might mean answering her questions, practicing spelling words, or listening to her read aloud. Unless the teacher indicates differently, it’s usually fine to show her an example and answer specific questions on how you completed the task. But remember, caution experts, it’s your child’s homework, not yours. Be careful to stick to the role of advisor, not assistant.

1. Talk About Assignments.

You can save a lot of time and frustration by going over the assignment with your child to make sure he clearly understands what's asked of him. If there’s any doubt, have him complete the first part of the assignment with you. A child who enthusiastically completes something he will have to erase later will not be so enthusiastic the next time. If the assignment is comprised of several parts, discuss what might be the easiest way to start or whether the assignment should be broken into several parts. If the instructions are vague and you don’t fully understand them yourself, contact the teacher, a classmate, or if your school has one, the homework help line.

2. Help Your Child In The Way He Learns Best.

Parents know how their child thinks and should use this to their full advantage. Teachers often don’t have the luxury of presenting a concept in more than one way, but parents can. For example, when teaching fractions to a hands-on learner, you might cut an actual pie into halves, fourths, and eighths. If your child is more of a visual learner, consider drawing a graph or picture. If your student learns by hearing, you could recite a story involving fractions. Imaginative children who think in more abstract terms might respond better if the concept is personalized to them. A child who loves Star Wars might be much more interested if asked what percentage of the Jedi counsel is comprised by Jedi masters. Don’t forget homework help websites. Many are free and specifically designed to be interesting, interactive and relevant to children. (See Below)

3. When Homework is Done.

Once homework is finished, check for completeness, but don’t correct mistakes. Instead, help your child discover them himself by asking how he came up with the answer or if he is sure it is correct. If your child is still stumped, leave a note for the teacher so she knows where your child needs help. Even if your child’s homework is perfect, always make an effort to reinforce the material. Ask open ended questions or let your child explain his favorite part to you. Ask your child how he might use what he just learned.

SEE HOMEWORK AS AN OPPORTUNITY RATHER THAN A CHORE

Experts stress parents should view homework not with dread but as an opportunity to offer their child the extra attention that will help him get the most of out school. Parents can also reinforce important life skills like organization, time management and setting priorities, things a child will use his entire life. And, you’ll be able to show him that what he does all day is very important to you, that you’re proud of him, and want to be directly involved in his life.

Homework Help Websites.
Here are a few good websites to visit with your child. They not only help with homework assignments, but can also offer extra practice through fun activities like games, jokes, activity sheets and even pen pals.

1. B.J. Pinchbeck‘s Homework Helper. Incredibly, this website was started by a student and his friends. It is now part of The Discovery Channel and houses an enormous collection of homework help catalogued by age and topic. Subjects are presented in a format kids love. http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/bjpinchbeck/ . While at The Discovery Channel, try the site’s Brain Boosters, which boasts fun activities in the categories of lateral thinking, logic, number and math play, reasoning, spatial awareness and word and letter play. http://school.discovery.com/brainboosters/

2. Infoplease’s Homework Center. Homework help on topics like geography, history, language arts, math, science and social studies, as well as an opportunity to browse almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and biographies. http://www.infoplease.com/homework/

3. Multnomah County Library Homework Helper. Click on any one of the numerous homework subjects and find a huge list of links specific to that subject. www.multnomah.lib.or.us/lib/homework

4. Math And Reading Help For Kids. Org. An incredibly detailed sight focused primarily on math, reading and writing for preschool to college students. Offers not only homework help, but also extensive resources for teachers, parents, and students on common challenges faced during the school years. http://math-and-reading-helpforkids.org/homework_help_websites_for_kids.html.

5. Ask Jeeves’ Website For Kids.  Has help sections for math, history, science and astronomy. Offers a dictionary, thesaurus, and an almanac, as well as clip art for reports needing pictures. www.ajkids.com

6. KidsClick! Put together by the Ramapo Catskill Library System and maintained by Colorado State Library, this website goes well beyond homework help and is a wonderful resource for parents wanting to expand on a homework topic. Offers fun games, jokes, and activities on a huge variety of subjects. Even offers to match up pen pals for extra practice with writing. http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/

Shannon M. Dean is a freelance writer, a wife and the mother of two children. She often customizes homework to issues of importance to the Quantum Power Ranger or Darth Vader.