How to Encourage Good Homework Habits

For most children, homework is not an enjoyable pastime. They tend to quickly finish assignments before moving to the next item on their agendas. This can easily lead to sloppy work and incorrect responses, though. Parents play a crucial role in encouraging positive homework habits for their children attending Lakeland Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando. The following information will aid in creating the proper physical and mental environment to allow your children to correctly complete homework in a short amount of time so they can tackle life’s other activities. Homework TimeDesignate one time of the day as homework time. It might be an hour before or after dinner or at the end of the day after dusk. Remember, if you begin early you can contact your child’s teacher if any situations arise, such as determining what page the homework is on and how to answer an essay question. A good rule of thumb is your child will need approximately as many minutes for homework as the grade she is in. for instance, a fourth grader will have about 40 minutes of homework a night. Make sure during homework time to turn off all electronics, including the television. Find Your PlaceWhether it’s an out-of-the-way rolltop desk or the kitchen table, one area needs to be Homework Central. If your homework area doubles for another function, store all school supplies in a portable box and carry it out during homework time. Otherwise, have your child choose the perfect supplies and set up the area to her specifications. Listen and LearnEnsure your child’s study habits are satisfactory. If she tends to glance at texts rather than reading them, have her read aloud and answer questions about the passage afterward to check for comprehension. Look over your child’s math problems and social studies questions for complete responses. Read the instructions together to ensure all parts of the homework are addressed. If you note any errors, show your child a similar problem and how to solve it. Above all else, do not complete your child’s homework! Communication is KeyAt the beginning of the school year contact your child’s teacher to discuss what is expected for homework assignments. Do they allow late work? How much of the grade is based on homework? How many days a week will you expect homework in each subject? By asking questions before the homework begins in earnest, you will let your child’s teacher know you are part of the homework team and are dedicated to making the year successful.Let your child know how important completing homework assignments is, and praise her when she shows you what she has accomplished. To learn more about the Diocese of Orlando’s Lakeland Catholic schools and their homework policy, call 407-246-4800. The information posted in our blogs gives other methods parents can use to help their children reach their goals in school and in life.