You Can Survive Homework Time: Strategies for Making Homework Enjoyable for You and Your Children

August 30, 2024 | Tips and Resources

Written by Shana Alter

As a Special Education teacher and the owner of Alter Tutoring, I’m often asked how to make homework time more enjoyable for children and their families. As a parent, I completely understand the frustration that homework can bring. I know that having a successful homework routine is crucial for academic success and building confidence, and it can be smoothly integrated into our busy lives.

With the 2024-2025 school year fast approaching, every child will face adjustments—new teachers, new schedules, more challenging workloads, and fresh routines. The key to navigating these changes, especially during homework time, is keeping life predictable and consistent. Take a deep breath, and let these simple strategies help keep you and your kids sane this year.

Create a Positive Environment

Start by setting up a dedicated homework area stocked with essential school supplies like markers, highlighters, paper, pens, pencils, paper clips, extra erasers, folders, and a stapler. A whiteboard with dry-erase markers can be incredibly handy for unexpected tasks, and an electric pencil sharpener is a must. Keep these supplies fresh and organized in a caddy—everyone loves new school supplies!

Homework should start at the same time each evening. I suggest giving students 10 minutes to relax and have a snack before diving into their homework. Once it’s time to start, get settled in the designated homework spot with everything needed to get started.

Color-coding supplies can make homework time smoother. For example, your child can easily grab the right folder for each subject. Teachers may even provide guidance on how to use these skills at home, making the transition from school to home seamless.

Stay in Touch with Teachers

Teachers don’t want their students to feel frustrated with homework. Remember, homework is meant to practice skills, not to learn new ones. It shouldn’t take hours to complete. Teachers will typically inform you of the expected time homework should take based on your child’s grade. If the assignment is too difficult and you’re unable to help, communicate this to the teacher. They can review the material in class, and they appreciate this kind of feedback!

Use Your Resources

The internet offers many tools to help students master new material and practice skills. Schools often have subscriptions to educational websites where students can play academic games or look up information.

If your child consistently struggles with the same skills, seek help. Since each new skill builds on previously learned ones, students need a solid foundation for success. Reach out to your child’s learning support team, or feel free to contact me for advice! (Shameless plug: www.altertutoring.com)

Be Your Child’s Biggest Cheerleader

Your child needs to know you’re on their side, even if they don’t always show it. Let them know it’s okay to make mistakes, and encourage them to explain how they worked through their mistakes to find the right answer.

Reinforce that they can succeed. Resist the temptation to do their work for them—it doesn’t help advance their knowledge and can hurt their confidence. I’ll let you in on a teacher secret: we know when parents or caregivers do the work for their child.

Focus on how your child overcame challenges, and give specific feedback. Instead of just saying, “Good job,” try something like, “I love how you persevered to complete your work,” or “You really followed the directions well!”

Remember to Have Fun

Homework is an opportunity to explore new concepts, learn about different sides of history, dive into a new book, or review the stages of the water cycle. It’s a great chance to learn more about your child and to bond. With these strategies, homework time will become more pleasant at your house, and soon enough, you might even be giving advice!