Supervising Your Child’s Homework
During the many conferences I have had over the years, homework is often mentioned as a troublesome area for parents and students alike. Here are some suggestions for supervising your child’s homework, organized by category. These suggestions stem from my math teaching experience; however, most of them will work for other subject areas as well.
Supervising a child’s homework is a vital aspect of parental involvement in their education. Here’s a detailed guide on how parents can effectively supervise their child’s homework:
Establish a Routine – Consistency is key. Set a regular time and designated space for homework each day. This routine helps children understand that homework is a priority and creates a conducive environment for focused work.
Provide Support, Not Answers – Encourage your child to work through problems independently. Offer guidance when they’re stuck but refrain from providing answers outright. Instead, ask leading questions to help them think critically and problem-solve.
Stay Engaged and Available – Be present during homework time, but avoid micromanaging. Offer encouragement, praise efforts, and provide assistance when needed. However, allow your child to take ownership of their work and foster independence.
Create a Positive Environment – Ensure the homework space is well-lit, quiet, and free from distractions. Minimize noise and interruptions to help your child stay focused and productive.
Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks – Help your child break down larger assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks. This approach prevents overwhelm and teaches effective time management skills.
Encourage Time Management – Teach your child the importance of managing their time wisely. Set realistic deadlines for completing homework assignments and help them prioritize tasks accordingly.
Provide Necessary Resources – Ensure your child has access to the necessary materials, such as textbooks, notebooks, and stationery. Additionally, utilize educational resources like dictionaries, online tutorials, or educational apps to support learning.
Monitor Progress – Regularly check in with your child to monitor their progress and understanding of the material. Review completed assignments together, offer constructive feedback, and address any areas of difficulty.
Communicate with Teachers – Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers to stay informed about their academic progress and any challenges they may be facing. Collaborate with teachers to address concerns and implement strategies for improvement.
Promote a Growth Mindset – Encourage a positive attitude towards learning by emphasizing the importance of effort, perseverance, and resilience. Celebrate achievements and use setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
Lead by Example – Serve as a role model by demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and a positive attitude towards education. Show enthusiasm for your own learning experiences and engage in educational activities together as a family.
Encourage Balance – While homework is important, it’s also essential to encourage balance in your child’s life. Ensure they have time for extracurricular activities, hobbies, and relaxation to prevent burnout and promote overall well-being.
Expectations
Set aside a specific time and place to do homework each day.
Some children concentrate better with music or background noise.
Define consequences for undone homework before it happens.
You may want to create a homework contract with your child that clearly spells out rules.
Supervision
Check your child’s assignment book, planner, or agenda for assignments, projects and tests.
Don’t try to be an expert in every subject area. Just supervise.
Encourage completeness of answers (full sentences, units of measure, etc.).
Encourage labeling of homework with textbook page numbers, dates, etc.
Organization
Schedule study time for tests well in advance.
Plan out and start long-term projects well before they are due.
Organize notebooks by subject and chronologically within a subject.
Choose a set location for storing homework, books and supplies.
Absence
Have your child choose a study buddy to work with.
Make up assignments as soon as possible.
If the absence is extended, notify the school.
If a serious family emergency occurs, notify the school.