by Buckytat

Created on: July 20, 2010

Quality homework completion plays a vital role in academic success.  Setting up a homework schedule that works for your child can be a difficult task.  Here are some helpful ideas for you to consider while working on this task.

First and foremost, talk to your child about utilizing an agenda.  Most schools provide a student agenda at the beginning of each school year.  If this is not the case, buy your child a planner.  Organization is the key to successful homework schedule planning.  Remind your child to write down every assignment as the teacher assigns it.  Provide a folder that all rubrics and upcoming project handouts can go in to.  Let them know that you will be checking it from time to time so that you can help.

There are two different homework scheduling techniques that are equally effective.  One is to allow your child a snack and a break after a long day at school before they tackle their homework.  The other technique is to follow the ‘work now, play later’ mentality where homework needs to be started as soon as the child arrives at home.  Even if they have a snack, they can eat it while doing homework.  Take your child’s personality and work ethic into consideration while choosing one of these techniques.  Some children need a break or they become overwhelmed.  Others will turn off if allowed to take that academic break so the ‘work before play’ rule would help their productivity.  Other factors to consider would be after school activities and chores.  Once you understand exactly what your child needs to do after school you will better understand what time blocks you can fit homework into.  In the evenings there are meals to be eaten, extracurricular obligations and other activities that will quickly take away available time so make sure homework is a priority.

Encourage your child to be a self starter.  If you are a working parent, suggest that your child do as much homework as possible before you get home.  Once you are available to help, your child can come to you with questions in order to complete the rest of their homework.  A homework load can often be heavy for a child.  They could take advantage of down time at school or on the bus to get started on easy assignments.  Have them look ahead in their agenda every week for upcoming projects.  At home, finish daily assignments first then

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