Do you struggle with your kids to complete homework on a regular basis? Are you in constant battle at the mention of the word “homework”? It is very easy to get caught up in power struggles with your child on this issue, but these battles will only lead to undue stress for both you and your child. Children are more likely to complete homework successfully if they are monitored, but this depends to a large extent on the age of your child. Setting good work ethic begins at an early age.

Why do teachers assign homework anyway?

Homework is a very necessary part of school life and brings together children, families and teachers in a common effort to promote academic success. Homework is allotted because:

• It allows students to practise what they learn.

• It reinforces the learning that took place during the day.

• It instils self- discipline.

• Mixing school work with home-life imparts time management skills.

• It teaches children the use of other educational resources such as libraries, reliable websites, scholarly articles, etc.

• It extends learning to application of knowledge, for example, projects.

• It teaches independent learning as well as promotes team work as seen in group projects.

• It integrates learning from different subjects. For example, writing a science project may call on skills in English language, mathematics and science.

Ending homework struggles

The relationship between home and school is invaluable in the quest for academic success. Parents must be able to effectively encourage children to get homework completed and to hand it in on time.

Very few people, young or old, look forward to homework. After all, it is work. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula that will transform children who hate homework into children who love it. However, there are some strategies which may help encourage your child to complete those pesky, but necessary assignments.

• You, as the parent, need to both understand and believe that homework is important. If you are not convinced, then it will be even more difficult to convince your child. Use positive language when you talk about homework.

• Face reality and accept that most students dislike homework. This does not mean that you agree with them, but it allows you to be empathetic. This will help you to control your emotional reaction to your child’s unwillingness to get assignments done.

• Avoid losing your temper. You should not be yelling or screaming at your child to complete homework. The first step is to remain calm.

• Be sure to facilitate the homework process by ensuring that there is a non-distracted place for homework to be completed. Ensure that all school supplies are easily accessible in this designated spot. Additionally, consider having a specific time each day for homework completion. This time should also include small breaks if your child needs it. Routine leads to consistency.

• Minimise distractions. This means no television, loud music, or phones when it is time for study and homework. You are likely to receive resistance to these rules. Stand your ground.

• Do not do your child’s homework. This will not help your child to understand and use information. You can provide guidance if necessary.

• Talk to your child about the significance of school and the reasons why he/she goes to school. Make sure he/she understand that it is their job to go to school and do the best that they can do. Compare it with your job or your spouse’s job. These conversations should be a regular part of family life.

• Discuss the value of homework with your children. This is best done at the beginning of each school term or school year. Honest, open, two-way discussions with your child can begin at an early age. It increases parent-child bonding and it makes the child feel “in control”, to an extent.

• Communicate with teachers regularly. Obtaining feedback is an invaluable tool in gaining insights into your child’s reluctance to do homework or to deliver homework on time.

• Find out if your child is having difficulties in particular areas at school. It could be that your child finds particular subjects too difficult and so cannot do the homework. If this is the case, then you may have to consider a more hands-on approach (you, an older sibling or a tutor).

• Allow students to deal with the consequences of not doing their homework at school. Teachers usually have strict rules and penalties for late or absent homework. After suffering these consequences, your child is likely to think twice before avoiding homework.

• Use praise to motivate your child. When your child performs and does the homework, make sure to acknowledge this behaviour with positive words or small rewards. Be careful not to use big rewards for homework completion and definitely do not bribe your kids.

Dr Karla Hylton is the author of Yes! You Can Help Your Child Achieve Academic Success and Complete Chemistry for Caribbean High Schools. She operates Bio & Chem Tutoring, which specialises in secondary level biology and chemistry. Reach her at (876) 564-1347, biochemtutor100@gmail.com or khylton.com.