Tackling Homework – Steps Parents Can Take to Support Their Child

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Thu, 05 May 2016 23:31:55 +0000

Regardless of where you stand in the debate on homework, it’s not going to go away. So the question is, “What can parents do to help their children complete and maximize the benefit of homework?” Here are some simple steps you can take to help children learn and retain information.

Ask: What’s my child’s learning style?

We teach our children the way we were taught or how we learned as students. We might wonder if there is something wrong if our children learn differently. Observe your child’s natural way of learning, use online learning style inventories, and become your child’s learning style detective.

When should homework be done?

Some children need to start homework while they are still in school mode. Is your child the type of student that walks in the door from school and immediately sits down to do his homework? Or, does she need to decompress from the school day and play, physically, before tackling more schoolwork? Some children re-energize with a much needed break and snack after school. Physical activity oxygenates the brain and supports learning.

Together with your child, come to an agreement about when homework will be tackled. For example, you and your child might agree to 45 minutes of play time and a snack right after school. Set a timer. When the time is up, it is time to do homework. In essence you are creating a schedule and a routine with your child’s input that will help make homework go more smoothly.

Where should homework be done?

Where is your child best able to focus and learn? Does he like to sit at a table, lay down and sprawl out on the floor, or stand at the kitchen counter to do homework? My daughter sat at a table while my son preferred to sit with his back on the seat and his feet on the back of the chair!. As adults, we know what type of environment best enables us to complete tasks. I, personally, focus better at a standing station. Help your children figure out what works best for them.

Does homework require perfect silence?

Some of us need quiet to read. Others prefer to have some “white noise” in the background to help our focus. Research points to Mozart and Baroque as supporting the learning process. The key is figuring out whether the background noise is supporting success or causing distraction. TV for example, typically creates distraction.

Homework strategies that reduce tears.

The internet library has revolutionized teaching and learning. Students have so many more tools and resources available to help them understand the information presented in class as well as in their homework. They can use flashcards – paper or digital, mind mapping, audio books, and speech-to-text or text-to-speech software to read, study, and complete assignments. Find and use strategies that support your child’s learning preference.

Does it have to be the way the teacher assigns it?

I’ve negotiated with my child and with the teacher. If I know that the homework assigned is not in sync with how my child learns, I’m going to adapt it. Rather than have him write the vocabulary words three times each, I had my son write them twice on paper, per teacher requirements, and once on a color- coded, picture enhanced flash card. Because many youth learn words by their shape, I’d also have him border the words in the shape of the word.

Tap into your child’s learning style and adapt homework in a way that it will provide the best opportunity for success. Stick to what the teacher is expecting of them, but supplement the assignment so your child gets the most out of the experience.

Homework has benefits

Homework is an opportunity for children to bring what they learned in school that day back into their working memory. When approached as a collaboration, it can promote communication and problem solving. In the best of circumstances, it provides families with a positive way to be involved in their children’s education. Parent involvement is a key factor in children’s school success.

For more information about study strategies for your student, see Susan Fitzell’s book, Please Help Me With My Homework. Available in both print and electronic versions!

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Three Easy Ways to Avoid Homework Anxiety

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 18:31:49 +0000

3 Strategies for Setting Up a Positive Homework Environment to Avoid Homework Anxiety

So much information is available on the topic of homework. It’s difficult to break the information down into manageable, useful chunks that make sense. If we consider where to START when it comes to homework, start with the homework environment. What goes on around us while doing homework, study, reading, or any activity that requires concentration, can significantly impact our ability to focus. So, here are three starter tips to avoid homework anxiety.

Provide a comfortable place in which to work without distractions. If there’s so much going on in the house that it’s hard to find that place, consider making three walled study carrel out of a cardboard box.
If possible, use full-spectrum lighting There’s been a significant amount of research over the years about how light impacts the brain. All the research indicates that full spectrum lighting and natural lighting are the best “lighting” environments for learning. Now that incandescent full spectrum bulbs are no longer available, what do we do? This article discusses the LED’s place in this discussion.
Calm the homework beast with music at 60 beats/minute or less. The right music has a tremendous ability to calm nerves and avoid homework anxiety.

Helps with attention issues and sensory processing

Supports organized body movement

Assists in actively engaging the learner

Increases the brain’s alpha and beta waves, which are associated with a quiet, alert state, ready for learning

Helps to provide structure for organized thinking, ex. writing reports or papers or doing activities that involve planning

Music Suggestions that Calm Nerves and Help to Avoid Homework Anxiety:

Native American Flute
Peruvian Mantra
Mozart for Learning (Caution: Some Classical is too rambunctious. The key is 60 beats per minute or less.)
Enya
Typically, music without words (which may be distracting) is the best option while studying.
Aside of the beats-per-minute theory, my son worked best when doing homework to compositions written by John Williams for popular movies. Whenever he was doing homework, it felt like we were in the middle of the drama in Raiders of the Lost Ark, or E.T.

You can easily determine the beat of the music using the second hand of your watch or clock.

Another good way to help reduce your child’s stress with music is to let them learn to play an instrument, then give them time to play before homework, or after. Take a look at this article with 16 benefits of learning to play and instrument.

Good luck setting up your stress free homework environment. I’d love to hear how these ideas worked for you and/or your child.

Adapted from “Please Help Me With My Homework- Strategies for Parents and Caregivers” by Susan Fitzell