Do you remember thinking you couldn’t wait until you were out of school so you never had to do homework again? Then you become a parent and realize you have to go through the whole homework experience again. After the first few weeks of 3rd grade, I just wanted to figure out a way to get through our homework without tears.
On the 2nd week of school my kids came inside and when I asked about homework they said that yes they had some. I said “Great, let’s get a snack and get to work.” Cue the crazy tantrum one of my sons had….he did not want to start homework. We have had to work out our own system of when to start homework. We have come up with some good ideas that help get us through the homework process.
3 Steps to Help with Homework
1. Build confidence by helping with the first question. First, read the instructions together and help with the first question. This sets them up for success and starting off with a positive experience. It also helps them to remember what they learned that day. Sometimes after a few hours away from the classroom they can forget the new ideas they learned. By sitting with them for the first question you can help refresh their memory about the subject they are learning.
2. Set a timer. I know that I do better when I have a deadline and this helps some kids to focus as well. I recommend using an hour-glass timer from a game. This way if they are in the middle of solving the problem or writing an answer a loud bell doesn’t startle them. They can look at the hour-glass timer after they finish the question to see if the time is up. Another idea is to use the stop watch feature on your phone and they just press stop when they are done with the number of questions.
3. Reward them for getting it done early. The earlier they finish the more points or stars they earn. For example, if they finish their homework before 4:00 they earn 5 stars, before 5:00 they earn 4 stars, before 6:00 they earn 3 stars, etc. Then at the end of the week they turn in their stars for rewards. This teaches the kids that it is better to dive into the project rather than to procrastinate.
Using these 3 tips helps us to start homework, complete it quickly and rewards the boys for a job well done. We have been lucky so far that our teachers have not given what I would consider too much homework. This week they came home with their first request for a book report. This project will be a big change from the 2 pages of worksheets that is normal.
Do you have a kid that hates homework? Let me know if these tips help and if you have any other tips.
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These are great tips and suggestions. My little one is 16 months old so we still have some time till we need this but I will share with friends who are going through this phase right now.
Good tips! So glad I don’t have to think about homework anymore, that was always a brutal time period before dinner! Hopefully your tips will help others to not have that!
Sometimes I feel like homework is more work for parents than kids. I like your idea of rewarding them if they finish early. I think that would be very motivating for my kids.
I agree that it is more work for us.
Oh please, I would love homework without tears and getting ready in the morning without tears and going to bed without tears. HA HA we have a lot of tears at our house! Thanks for sharing
Us too! It is a constant process of finding new ways to get the kids motivated to do what we need them to do. 🙂
Homework can be super tough to get through each night! Thanks for the tips.
My boys both hate homework. I found if I give them a break after they get home to go outside and play they burn off the pent-up energy they have from spending all day at school they can get to work easier.
Yes, I agree. I have to give my kids a little break before starting homework too.
I can totally relate! My son is in 3rd grade and sometimes it is just exhausting for both of us.
I have taught for 3 years, but now I have a 2 year old son and another on the way. It will definitely be interesting to be on the parental side rather than the teaching side.
I always wonder what teachers think once they have children. I know there are so many things I used to say that I would never do before I had children and now understand that you have to pick your battles. 🙂
These are all awesome! I love the tips that you have here, it’s all going to help make homework easier for the parents and the kids.
Good advice. Let your children do their task on their own without your help, and they will learn.
Yes, I have a tendency to hover.
Love your suggestions. We used to give minutes back to our kids if they finished early. They could use it for tv or extra computer time or play. They seemed to like that!
Good idea!!
My nephew just started having homework. He loves to rush home and finish it, but of course he is only 5. I hope that doesn’t change because we all know homework only gets harder and more intense.
I thought I was done with homework until I had kids. So glad I’m way past this. These are very helpful tips.
I think that a reward system works well because you are encouraging them to work to the best of their ability. Praise is a good method.
I agree. Self motivation is a great thing.
These are all great tips! We are in our first homeschool year and I can already see the discouragement in their eyes at times. I love the timer idea.
You are a rock star with homeschooling!! I think that is awesome.
My mom always set a timer for my sister and I. We would get FAR too distracted and wouldn’t finish anything if she didn’t!
As a former educator, I love these tips! Parents need to be more involved, not just sit the child down and tell them to work. Building their confidence is SO important! A timer allows them to have a limit and not spend time complaining, which is better for everyone. Rewards are never a bad idea, you do what you have to do as a teach or parent! Thanks for the tips!
It’s interesting how a child’s reaction to HW depends on their personality. These tips are great!
I have so many friends who struggle with this. My son is too young, but it’s never too early to think ahead!
I am so not looking forward to this stage! I’m sure my mom will disagree but I was always pretty good about finishing my homework in a timely manner.
My girls are too little to really have homework, not really looking forward to that age. But I remember that the timer really worked for my younger siblings. They were able to focus and know that there was a light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. These are great tips.
These are some great ideas. When I was at school I wish I got rewarded for getting it done early, as I did every time!
Homework time is the dreaded hour in our house. I like the idea of using a timer. My kids need constant teminders to stay on task and a timer is a good way to put the responsibility back on them to better manage their time.
Even I do better with a timer when I am organizing something. 🙂
I have just passed this stage with my kid and I am so tremendously happy because she can be independent in dealing with homework! You absolutely offered great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Oooo what great suggestions!!! I never thought of giving rewards for getting work done early!
Yes, that whole positive parenting reward system at work. 🙂 I have to admit that my husband came up with that idea.
We always try to put out incentives for doing homework earlier in the day. It leaves more time at night to be able to relax.
I agree. If we wait too late it doesn’t matter what we do they are just too tired (and I am too!).
Homework time can definitely be stressful. Helping out with the first couple problems can always give that boost.