Research shows that kids do better in school when parents get involved in their homework, and it’s good for their confidence too. One thing worth checking first is whether the homework actually matches where your child is at. If your child is reading or doing math below grade level, the assignments should reflect that rather than just the grade they’re in.
Ten tips for homework success
- Stay in touch with the teacher, so you know how much homework is coming and how your child’s actually doing with it.
- Set a regular start and end time. Most kids need a little downtime after school before diving in, and doing homework right before bed usually backfires. Friday’s often the best day to knock out weekend assignments while everything’s still fresh.
- Have your child split the work into what they can do alone and what they need help with, something that gets easier as kids take on more responsibility around age nine or ten. Step in only for the part they truly can’t do alone, things like quizzing flashcards, practicing spelling words, or clarifying instructions.
- Try Grandma’s rule, no dessert until the spinach is gone. Save TV and other fun stuff for after homework’s done.
- Set up a quiet study spot with good light, plus a dictionary, paper and pens close by. If your child actually focuses better with background music, that’s fine too. For kids who struggle to settle in, Child Mind Institute has some good strategies worth trying.
- Praise the effort, and praise the results even more. “You spelled 18 out of 20 right, that’s your best score all semester” goes a long way.
- Stay nearby in case your child gets stuck, ideally in another room so you’re available without hovering.
- Look over the finished homework, but don’t correct it yourself unless the teacher’s said that’s okay. Seeing the real pattern of mistakes usually helps the teacher more than a cleaned up version.
- Study groups can work well, just make sure the group is actually studying and not just hanging out.
- Allow bathroom, snack and drink breaks, but expect the work to get finished.
For more homework strategies, KidsHealth has a solid rundown, and if your child has a learning or attention difference, Understood.org’s homework guide is worth a look. For more on what to expect at each stage, see our age by age guide.