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Here come the kids crashing through the door, dropping backpacks, and grabbing snacks with the TV remote. Meanwhile, parents are skimming the mail and removing dinner items from the fridge.

The backpacks sit …. waiting.

Folders waiting to be opened.
Blank worksheets waiting for pencil marks.
Books waiting to be cracked open and words waiting to be read.

The kids know there is homework.

The parents know there is homework.

Will there be nagging?
Will there be whining?
Is there a better way?

Most kids need a little time to decompress after school and struggle to find time to get busy with their homework. Before you know it, dinner is over, and bedtime is on the horizon, but the homework still needs to get done.

If your kids are not the rare ones who skip home, tear into their backpacks like they are a long-awaited birthday gift, and eagerly begin doing their homework, then some of the ideas here may help them focus and get started.

While I can not make any promises, I can suggest that implementing routines and plans can help you get the homework done with less misery.

Start with these six tips…

Atmosphere
Designate a place where the kids do homework every night with a sturdy tabletop or desk. Do you prefer having the kids in a kitchen, living room, or bedroom?
Are outlets handy for computer or tablet use?
Is there good lighting?
Can they stream music, white noise, or keep it quiet?
Will snacks or drinks be allowed? If so, using water bottles may help eliminate big spills. Also, watch out for juicy or greasy snacks to keep books and papers clean.
Tools
Make sure all the supplies are ready to go. Is there plenty of paper and sharp pencils? (Prepping the supplies for the next day can be a job for the kids.)
What other supplies are needed? Crayons? Rulers? Glue? Keep it all in one spot near the work area. You do not want to lose kids as they search the house for supplies!
Keep scrap paper on hand. It is the brain’s best friend! It helps with…
- math
- story comprehension
- rough drafts
- spelling practice
- note-taking
- thinking through problems
- doodling ideas
Routines
Set a time for homework to begin. Give the kids a 5-minute heads-up with a fun sound, like a rainstick or a favorite song, to get them moving.
Kids may need a brain break after school or after homework. For ideas, check out 10 After School Brain Breaks.
Use a family calendar to keep track of big school projects and teach kids to break up the work into smaller pieces.
Have a plan B ready for how to change routines when other after-school activities start.
Homework is finished when all folders, papers, and books needed for homework are zipped up into the backpack and ready for the morning.
Process
This is where the magic happens.
Repetition and practice reinforce classroom learning and mastery. They take responsibility to get their work done.
Kids will get stuck.
Kids will forget.
Kids will push off their responsibility.
How much will you help them or let them struggle? School is, after all, a place for learning, making mistakes, and problem-solving. How can you encourage your children to take responsibility for their work and education?
Ask questions to spark their thinking and solutions. It’s ok to let kids get answers wrong or leave something blank so they can ask for help the next day.
What strategies can they use to get help? Can they meet with the teacher before or after school? Can they discuss solutions with peers? Are there recommended websites or resources to help?
Kids need to learn to advocate for themselves when they need help. It may be hard for them at first, but it is a life skill they need to practice.
Learning and homework for kids should not be about perfection but about figuring out the puzzle and asking questions to get the help they need. This empowers them to be responsible for their learning.
Getting stuck or making mistakes is not bad; it’s a part of the process.
Accountability
As kids mature and learn the process, parents begin to let go, and kids begin to take initiative and take responsibility for their learning.
They become accountable when they…
Are prepared for the next day.
Homework is done and put away in backpacks, ready for school in the morning.
Have a plan for any struggles or questions they have on homework.
Are on top of large projects and reports instead of waiting until the last minute.
Have kept the homework area neat and stocked.
Resources
Sometimes, kids and parents need some homework help at home. Teachers often share resources for homework with parents and students.
Here are a few websites for all subjects and grade levels to keep handy…