Homework can be the most dreaded chore in any household. “Mom I have a test tomorrow and I
have not started learning for it.” “Dad I need two pieces of wood and nine nails to complete my
project tonight.” Are these familiar scenarios to you?
You have to be involved in your child’s homework from grade 1 onwards. It has to be seen as a
positive thing that helps them succeed at school. As a parent, you are always encouraged to assist
your children with their homework. However, if you struggled at school yourself or you were not
particularly strong at the core subject, such as math, it may cause unnecessary anxiety for both
you and your child. One way to avoid this is to start being involved in your child’s learning from the
beginning, understanding the different milestones of knowledge to be gained at each level of their
education and asking questions of the teacher.
Here are some tips to help you help your child with their homework:
1. Show that you think homework is important. Set aside a particular time of the day and focus on
the homework with no disruptions of TV or phones. If your child has siblings and they don’t have
homework, make sure that they are involved in a quiet activity such as reading or drawing. Also,
choose a place that is conducive to study. A desk in their bedroom, the dining table or a corner of
the living room works just fine. The area should be quiet and have good lighting.
2. Make sure that you have supplies of notepads, pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, a dictionary and
calculator and any other resources your child needs in a designated work area.
3. Computers are now a mainstream part of society and the education curriculum. Try to make
sure your child has access to a computer. Many cheap second-hand computers will function
perfectly for most students’ needs. An internet connection will be needed. If you don’t have access
to the internet at home, your local library can fill this void.
4. Find out about the school’s homework policy. Encourage your child to plan and try to discourage
the night-before ‘cram’. Create a homework diary and plan with your child. Make note of when
assignments are due when the schools’ exam periods are and any other midterm/control tests.
5. If your child becomes frustrated with their homework because they don’t understand it, try to
assist them. If you are unable to help, make a note of the problem for your child to ask their
teacher the next day and move on to something else.
6. If you have any concerns about the amount of homework or the level of homework, discuss your
concerns with the child’s teacher.
7. Consistently praise your child for their effort, NOT just for the correct answers. Part of learning is
the process, not just the outcome.
At Kip McGrath Education Centres we equip your child with the skills they need so that they can
cope on their own to complete their homework tasks or assignments. We ensure your child
reaches their true potential academically.
