Studying at home and homework in general is seldom children’s strong point and who could blame them. In a world where the outdoors is calling after school and long evenings of summer with friends are interrupted by times tables, it’s understandable why children want to be occupied by things other than home work.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that you can help your child or children with their homework, encourage them to work with greater ease and also to learn more. So, let’s take a look.
Structure
By providing structure to the child in the evening you are far more likely to do well. Children love structure, even if you don’t believe that they do. For younger ones, structure is central in getting things done. Have you ever had a child ask you why something you do at the same time every week isn’t being done this week? Well, that’s because of their understanding of structure. If you create this around homework, you’re creating the sort of environment that works well for them.
Be Supportive…….but
As a parent you probably already are supportive, however being too pushy will only cause arguments and rows and issues with the child. By being supportive but allowing the child to get on with their homework and always being there to answer questions or queries you’re helping them on a number of levels. Firstly, you’re providing them with help, secondly you give them room to be responsible and finally you’re not causing emotional strain on them.
Get them Help
Children often require help at one stage or another and perhaps you don’t have the knowhow to push them, or explain something to them. Oftentimes, parents and children come to loggerheads as the adult can’t explain something in the way a professional can. This can be around the time of an exam or a stressful time. By getting your children some help from a tutor you’re bringing in someone from the outside, who knows what they’re doing and can offer your child that little bit of something that they crave and need.
Area
Having a designated study area is also a great help and can really give children the opportunity to study that they require. Set aside a quiet area, away from distraction to work. It can be a great help.
Outside Learning
As adults we realise that the vast amount of learning in life is not from a book, but from a range of other, more interactive areas. This can be doing something, seeing something or involving yourself with something. Encourage learning by bringing children places, providing them with resources that have nothing to do with school and by simply talking to them and spending time with them. People underestimate the power a simple chat with a child can have and how being open and informative can have the power to expand minds. Children receiving attention in this manner also tend to react well and are happy to listen.
Children need help and need to learn and these tips will help ensure that you aiding them will be smooth, easier and both of you will get a lot more done.