Having assigned my fair share of homework over 20 years, the least that should be done is to offer some simple hints that can eliminate the battle to get students to DO it. Here are some insights you might find helpful for students from the very young, to the college level.

Understand your child is NOT you-

Adults have a much longer attention span and can be more mentally stimulated at written word and thought provoking tasks. Often, students are not at that place yet. Allow for some differences in approach. Break study times up into 20 minute segments, with 5 in between for a break. The student MUST be actively engaged for all 20 minutes for the arrangement to work, but shorter stints will make that possible.

Start with the most difficult tasks-

Logistically sometimes this isn't a practical use of time, but as a general rule, if the hard stuff gets done first, momentum is built to finish off the easier tasks quickly and efficiently afterward. Dreading the big project, or fearing one's worst subject doesn't help, and only provides distraction, or a lack of wanting to finish the simple because the more difficult awaits!

Support without Enabling-

Don't do your student's work for them, however make DOING the work easier for them. Have supplies ready ahead of time in anticipation. Nothing kills momentum faster than having to drop everything to find a store open at 11pm that sells tri-fold presentation boards. If they do better with food, provide it. Re-wording, or offering more detailed explanations also help with the more difficult tasks. You as the parent know when your child is sincerely stuck, or just wants you to "take the wheel" for awhile because they are tired of working.

Charts and Schedules-

Organization is not everyone's forte, or there would be no need for time management seminars. If your child struggles in this area, or perhaps just needs a little direction, this is one time where parents CAN do the work for their child. Post a calendar with due dates, tests, and homework assignments in a place where your child will see it often. This will also help you in being prepared with supplies. Remind your child what is coming up, so that large tasks might be done in smaller pieces day by day. I have never heard of a teacher or administrator getting upset with a parent for doing their child's organization for them. While it may not force them to get organized themselves, they might NEVER acquire that skill anyway, and who knows, some of the habits may rub off onto them later in their lives! Sometimes all kids need is a good system or model to emulate.

Reward Effort-

Don't wait until your child is achieving straight "A" work before recognizing or rewarding them. Likewise, if you know your child scooted by on a test or assignment without studying or giving much effort, don't make a big deal about the grade. In this way, the focus becomes effort rather than results. By doing this, students can start making a mental correlation between effort and success. With an organized system, a parent can SHOW a student how their efforts paid off on assignments and test. This only serves to motivate kids to make an even bigger effort in the future.

Homework is one of the most unfair playing fields in education. For some, it means a quiet work area with support, food, and materials. For others, it means having to fend for themselves AFTER babysitting their siblings or helping parents out at their jobs. Using these techniques will help level that inequity and create greater success for all.

Learn more about this author, Tim Driver.
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