Be involved in her homework

Always provide the appropriate routine, environment and support to make your child enjoy the exercise and excel in school, writes JOHN MUTURI

Homework is a frequent cause of conflict between parents and children. Parents tend to have more trouble persuading boys to do homework than girls. A child may refuse to do her homework because she is bored, tired or does not see its relevance.

However, parents have a major influence on their child’s willingness to do homework. Providing the right routine, environment and support can make children more likely to do and enjoy their homework.

Helping a child with homework is vital because it helps a child overcome a specific challenge, for instance, reading. It also provides practical points of contact between a child’s home life and school.

It also helps parents understand what their children are studying at school and allows them to monitor the child’s progress. When parents are actively involved in this process, they signal that school is something they value. Over time, children notice this and become more motivated.

Reasons for giving children homework include:

• To review and practise the material covered in class.

• To help the child get ready for the next day’s lessons.

•To help the child to learn to use resources such as libraries and reference materials.

•To help the child explore subjects more fully than classroom time permits.

•To integrate children’s learning by applying various skills to a single task, such as writing a report on a book or completing a science project.

•To help the child develop independence, self-discipline and motivation.

So how do you help your child with her homework?

• Provide a conducive working area. A child’s homework area doesn’t have to be elaborate: a desk in their bedroom or a corner of the living room is good enough. The crucial thing is a regular, quiet and well-lit place.

•Avoid distractions such as TV or loud music. Research shows that having a TV or loud music in a room a child is doing her homework reduces her ability to concentrate.

•Develop regular homework routine. This way, you avoid excuses such as, "I’ll do it after this programme" or "I forgot". It’s important for children to learn to take responsibility rather than having to rely on their parents to remind or coax them.

The best time for homework is an hour or so after children return from school.

They can enjoy some wind-down time and eat a snack, before they get down to work.

•Show an interest and give praise. Every day, create some time to talk about schoolwork.

It’s important to praise children for their efforts and achievements. Positive comments are more effective in shaping a child’s behaviour as opposed to criticism.

•Communicate with the school. It is important to talk to teachers about specific areas you can help your child.

Many schools maintain a regular dialogue with parents through homework diaries, in which both teachers and patents record their comments.

•Be available. Many primary school children are comfortable having someone with them to answer questions as they work on assignments.

However, your primary duty is only to help so resist the urge to step in and do the work for your child. Doing this will make it harder for the teacher to spot areas where your child needs help.