Nightly reading, spelling and maths tasks are complicated in later primary school and high school by assignments and projects.
Sometimes it’s hard for kids, who are also trying to fit extra curricula sport, music and interest activities in to an already packed weekly routine, to get it all done. So here is a simple tool designed to keep your child get organised and to learn, from an early age, that homework can be managed… as long as they have a plan that they can stick to.
Here’s how it works:
Most kids are visual learners and in order to learn, they need resources that they can see, touch and refer to frequently.
2. Each week, when homework is assigned, help your child to fill the plan in
Your child might need prompts, such as ‘What do you have to do for maths?’ or “what did Mrs Jones ask you to write in your school diary?…however, don’t do all the work for them! You may also need to remind them about planned activities after school, eg soccer or dance classes. Ensure that your child makes the choices about what will be done and when. This makes them accountable for the decisions they have made
3. Stick the homework plan in your child’s homework book, on their noticeboard or even the fridge
A visible, easy reminder of what needs to be done will help your child stay on track and will be a point of reference when they are unsure or can’t remember what comes nex
4. .Each day, help your child by directing them to their plan
“What bit of homework did you decide you’d do today?” Is a good reminder.
5. Encourage your child to ‘tick’ the finished box when they have completed a homework task
This visual sign of a job completed gives kids a feeling of achievement. It’s a great opportunity to offer important praise and is a good strategy for parents who are not home during homework time. When you get arrive from work, ask to see your child’s homework plan and congratulate them on the effort they have made.
6. Help your child to use the homework plan to hand work in on time
Each morning (or even better, each night before they go to bed) encourage your child to check the plan and make sure that everything that is due in the following day is in their bag.
Research shows that when we actively teach children to break a task down into manageable ‘chunks’, they are more likely to be able to successfully complete it.
Homework doesn’t have to be a hassle, and when we teach our kids how to plan and think ahead, we are giving them skills for life.
Sonja Walker
Teacher & Kids First founder
Kids First Children’s Services 2014