With the new school term just around the corner, homework is going to be aplenty, especially with teachers trying to fill in gaps in missed learning. Homework can be very stressful in many households – not only are kids trying to avoid doing it, parents become frustrated nagging for it to be done. However, making a few small changes to your routine is sure to make homework a much more enjoyable experience for everybody. Here’s some strategies sure to help you and your family avoid homework hassles.
Have An After-School Routine
Having an after-school routine is key when trying to beat homework stress. We recommend having a set homework time, depending on what works best for your kids. Some might prefer to get homework out of the way when they first get home from school, while others like to have a break first. Having this set time means children don’t have a chance to put it off, as well as no stress for you or them the morning of the homework hand-in.
Create A Homework Zone
There’s nothing more stressful than kids trying to do homework in a busy kitchen space or lounge where their siblings are playing. Not only does it make them feel stressed, it can cause tension between all members of the family. Instead, we recommend creating a homework zone, which is a set space for your kids to work, away from the usual distractions of the house. Whether that’s a desk in their bedroom or the dining room, having a quiet place is key to limiting homework frustration.
Remove Distractions
It’s almost impossible for children to fully concentrate on their homework when the TV is on or their phone keeps buzzing. In fact, it can make it stressful and unenjoyable. Removing all distractions from their homework zone is key, as it will mean they can fully focus and complete their work to the best of their ability.
Use Homework Time As Productive Parent Time
Use the after-school routine to help you have some stress-free productive parent time. Whether you want to organise your budget, pay bills, read a book, exercise or cook dinner, it’s the perfect way to utilise a spare hour or two. You’ll also be setting a great example that even as an adult you have to carve out time to take care of important things, whether that’s running the household or staying fit and healthy – it’s not a chore, it’s just part of your daily routine.
Get Plenty Of Rest
Everyone knows how important it is to get enough sleep, and it’s essential when trying to keep stress levels low. Make sure you and your children are getting at least 8-10 hours of sleep a night. This way when it comes to homework time after a long day of school, everyone has the energy and attention to complete it.
Teach Time Management Skills
As your children get older, homework will increase, and they’ll be required to work on multiple pieces of work at the same time. When this starts to happen, it’s easy for kids to feel overwhelmed and stressed-out, which can have a direct affect on the whole family. That’s why it’s a great idea to start teaching them some time management skills sooner rather than later. This can include how to prioritise tasks and break assignments down into manageable chunks, as well as taking regular breaks during long homework stints.
Hire A Tutor
If your child is finding their homework very stressful, it might be helpful to hire a tutor. Not only will a tutor teach your child how to tackle homework effectively, they can also help with organisational and time management skills. This will help beat their homework stress as well as relieve worried parents, as your kids will have plenty of support and guidance to help them achieve their best.
