Tip Sheet for Parents: Help Your Child Get Back Into the Homework Habit

If your child hasn’t kept regular homework routines in the past, the beginning of the school year is the time to start. Here’s how:

  1. Find a place for your child to do homework. Have your child put his or her book bag there and work there every day. That’s one way to tell his or her brain, “OK, now it’s time to get down to work.”
  2. Provide a tool kit. A child who has to get up every five minutes to look for a pencil or a piece of paper can’t properly focus on homework. Have him or her put together a box with homework supplies. Include pens, pencils, erasers, a ruler, and glue. Add other supplies as your child needs them. Have your child get it out when it’s time to start homework and put everything away at the end of study time.
  3. Set a regular homework time. Kids thrive on routines. If your child does homework at the same time every day, he or she will probably put up less of a fight. There’s no best time. Some kids need to let off energy after school. Others want to get right to work. Find the time that works for your child and your family.
  4. Set homework goals. At the start of each study period, ask your child to make a list of what he or she needs to do. Then, your child can check them off as he or she finishes each one.

Note: Copyright 2012. Reprinted with permission from the Parent Institute. Additional tip sheets and other resources for parents and families can be found on the Family and School Partnerships website.

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