Homework: it’s a dreaded word.  You can recall the late nights at the kitchen table, tears of frustration, and moments of self-doubt from your own childhood.  Now, you’re experiencing it all over again – what fun!  Homework can be a daunting task, and it is beyond challenging to fit into busy evening schedules.  It’s time for you to take the power back.  You’ve got this, Coach!

Tips for Stress-Free Homework:

You are the coach.  Simply provide encouragement, model organizational strategies, and monitor progress.  Do not expect perfection

Set-up a “Homework Zone” within your home.  This space should be well-lit, quiet, and stocked with necessary supplies.

Pre-schedule a designated homework time as part of your routine.  Once you decide on a time that works for your family, try to stick with it.  Some research shows that the optimal time to do homework is before dinnertime.  Come home, decompress, grab a snack, and get it over with!

Give Choices: This is especially relevant with younger children.  As with any non-preferred task, the more a child feels in control of the situation, the more successful he/she will be.  “Would you like to start with this Math worksheet, or your spelling words?”

Ensure your child takes necessary “brain breaks” during homework sessions, and set a timer.  The frequency of these breaks depends on both age and individual need – usually about 3-5 minutes of work time per year of a child’s age.  For example, if your child is 8 years old, this is about a half hour.  Let your child set the timer.  This promotes a feeling of independence and ownership over his/her learning.

Attend family-teacher conferences and read home-school communication to ensure your child understands teacher expectations.

Use positive reinforcement for task completion – whether this is verbal praise, a token system, or a little treat!

WRITTEN BY KIMBERLY DESAUTELS, EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIST/TUTOR WITH WILDFLOWERS