As a mum to four teenagers, I’ve been through it all—tears, tantrums, and triumphs over homework, and come out on the other side with some hard-earned wisdom. It’s no easy feat, I begged, shouted, insisted and almost gave up. I finally learned that it was possible, but with the right strategies, to help your kids manage their homework stress and build positive study habits that will serve them well throughout their academic journey.
Here’s how to turn home learning time from a battlefield into a more peaceful and productive experience.
Let me know if you find these strategies below helpful!
5 things I have learnt about supporting my child’s home learning.
1. Get interested in your child’s school work. First things first, create a habit of asking your child every day about what they have learnt at school. This doesn’t mean you need to hover over them every second, but take a few minutes each day to ask about their classes and look over their assignments. Getting involved not only shows your support but also sparks their enthusiasm for learning. You’ll be amazed at how these small moments can strengthen your relationship and ignite a passion for learning. Speak to their teachers often and attend all teacher meetings if possible. You can read my article on what to ask teachers at parent meetings.
2. Help them with their learning challenges. Staying tuned into what’s going on at school will help you get a good sense of what they find challenging and where they might need a little extra help. Help them with further learning using the numerous online resources both free and paid for. My primary school children used IXL Maths for maths practice and this was very helpful for lots of practice questions at that stage. I found You tube videos very useful because there are learning videos for almost every topic on the school curriculum. If you’ve tried everything and your child is still struggling, it might be time to bring in the big guns—a private tutor. Tutors can provide personalised attention and tailor their teaching methods to suit your child’s needs. At different stages of my children’s learning, I have had to hire tutors to help then with different subjects. If your budget allows, this can be a game-changer.
3. Make space and time for Homework. Your child should have a daily routine for before and after school. Creating a daily routine is important for children to learn responsibility and structure. Make a well-lit space, clutter free, phone free and welcoming, and encourage them to consistently use the space for studying. A quiet corner of the living room or a well-organised desk in their bedroom can work wonders. The key is to minimize distractions. Think of it as their personal study bubble where the magic happens. Stock the homework area with the essential stationary they might need and make sure they know what time their session starts. Tools like timers, planners, and apps can be a big help here. Time management is a skill they’ll benefit from long into adulthood. Setting the space and time up helps your child automatically understand that once they sit in the space, it is study time, and therefore improves their focus.
4. Consistency. Consistency is key to success. It means always carrying out something the same way and if children understand this, it is a great way to help them achieve better. Staying consistent with their home learning sessions is key to creating a successful and responsible student. These habits tend to stay with the child as they grow and as the Bible states, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
5. Remain calm and positive. Parents tell me how impatient they get when their child is struggling with homework and tempers rise and the mission fails. Remaining calm and positive intentionally, is an important strategy for a good learning atmosphere. You must decide that nothing will ruse your feathers and remind yourself that it can also be a challenging session for your child too. Your responsibility is to help them through it successfully regardless of the emotional outbursts that may come up. Also, celebrate the small victories, laugh at the mistakes, and remember that you’re in this together.
6. Balance work and play. Make sure that your child knows that there is a time for everything as the Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes chapter 3. This means there should be a time for work and a time to play. Some parents fill up their Childs after school schedule with so much work that the child grows up with out a proper childhood. Others are worried about upsetting their children with home learning and leave them playing all day that they end up struggling with their education. As the parent, you must ensure there is a balance with work and play, develop a plan and always have a family meeting to discuss new strategies or amendments to old ones.
7. Encourage independence. Finally, as your child becomes consistent with their study time and grows up, the final step is to encourage independent study. Create a plan with your child to track assignments and deadlines. At secondary school, they are usually provided with school planners to help them with tracking their school work. Explain to them the consequences and rewards of self study or the lack of it as a form of positive reinforcement. An older child would also benefit greatly with a study timetable particularly during exam preparation periods.
Remember, God promises to give His children good success, but we must do our part first. This means taking action and putting in the effort and trusting in His promises. Each child is different and may need these strategies tailored to their needs. Here’s to turning homework time into a more manageable and even enjoyable part of your family’s routine!
Do you have any more strategies to add? Let me know in the comments section please!
All the best
xx Uc
