(From Sinea's Genesee Valley Parent Magazine article “Homework Tips For Teens and Tweens --October 2010 issue)
If you have school age children - especially teens and tweens - homework requirements put demands on the entire family. And, if things aren’t going well in that department, everyone suffers to a degree. Organizing the homework routine to minimize stress and maximize success is worth the effort. Start today!
Start With a Plan
Most teenagers would like to be “good students”, but they lack training on how to get the job done. So, parents, you must work with them to set up a plan. Don’t wait to see how they are doing on their own. If that first report card comes with bad news, then you'll have to shift into damage control. The second report card, and half the year has gone by. No need to panic, though. Wherever you are in the scheme of things, today is a new day for you and your child.
If your child balks at the suggestion of starting a plan, explain that every successful person or business got there with some kind of plan. Let your child know that this plan that you are setting up together is his/her road map to success.
The Homework Routine
 |
| Let Her Be Comfortable Photo by photostock Freedigitalphotos.net |
Establish ground rules. Homework time is homework time. Distractions must be kept to a minimum to concentrate and do a good job. Beeping text messages are hard to ignore. Ask them to turn off the device till later.
Select a location. Many children produce better if they aren’t isolated from the family. Make yourself available. When they are stumped, they may need your help thinking things through. For this type of child, pick a central location, like the kitchen, where you will be near.
Others may need solitude to concentrate. Where do they prefer to be? If it is their bedroom, that’s OK but lying on a bed may just put them to sleep. Have them start in a chair at a desk or table to do most of their work. When it comes to “free reading”, an easy chair or bean bag on the floor is just fine.
Build an Organizational System for Your Child
Schedule: the whole family’s schedule must be considered. Does each person in your home have their own computer or do they share? If they share, you’d better have a plan so that several users are not vying for it all at the same time!
Bedtime routines have an influence, as well. Lunches need to be made, clean clothes selected, showers taken. If you have a large family and few bathrooms, you may have to schedule evening showers for some and morning for others. It all should be part of your plan.
And don’t forget “Me Time”. Kids are people, too! They need to relax after a hard day. Allow some flexibility. If there is a favorite TV show that they “just can’t miss”, then show them you care and build it into the agenda. Let them know that they can watch it, just as long as they return to any unfinished work.
Calendar: Know your dates! Set up a central calendar for special events. Record anything that can challenge a regular homework routine. Appointments, Parents’ Night, sports games, practices, school concerts, scout meetings, celebrations, etc.
 |
| Keep a Family Calendar for School Freedigitalphotos.net |
Include the end of each marking period on your calendar, as well. When a marking period ends, many students will have an increase of quizzes, tests, reports and projects. Be aware of the possibilities and help your child to plan ahead.
The Homework Box: Keep supplies in a plastic utility box in the room in which your teen will do his/her homework including: pens, pencils, white out, scissors, tape, staples & stapler, ruler, protractor, calculator, etc.
Planner or Assignment Notebook: your child must know what their homework assignment is and when it is due. From the start, have them use a planner or assignment pad (paper or electronic). If they forget to write it in their planner, they’ll need an alternate method of obtaining the information. Many teachers now have their own website with the assignments and test schedules posted. If that is not the case, PLAN B should be to call a reliable classmate.
 |
| Keep Supplies on Hand in a "Homework Box" Photo by Dan Freedigitalphotos.net |
 |
| Freedigitalphotos.net |
Communicate with the teachers. One of the best ways to do this is to be sure to go to Parents’ Night at your child’s school. If you cannot attend, contact the teacher(s) yourself to get the information.
Find out what the teachers’ expectations are concerning homework.
- Will the assignments be nightly?
- How about quizzes, test, special projects?
- About how much time should be invested?
- How are the assignments communicated to the students?
Planning ahead and establishing good routines will pay off dividends for your teenager in the long run. Get it in place now and enjoy a great school year!
Before you go, our goal is to have 500 Facebook Fans by the end of the year. It's a big goal! Will you help us? Just click "LIKE" on our Facebook Fanpage. Thank you for being our latest fan!
Related Posts:
Subscribe to Ducks 'n a Row Here
