Homework is a weekday ritual for most school children, even kindergarteners. Predictable homework routines help children succeed and minimize household friction around homework.homework

Schedule time for homework

Set a regular time for homework that works for your child and family. If a specific time isn’t practical, set a timeframe (e.g. between 3 and 5pm), or set parameters like completing homework before bath time.

Follow a when/then approach

The when/then approach provides external structure for tasks people would rather put off. Set a time for the task and make it non-negotiable. For example, “when it is 4pm, then I start homework.”

When/then can also motivate through positive rewards: “when my homework is done, then I may play basketball until dinnertime.”

Designate a space for homework

Designate a space children can regularly use for homework. For many families, the most popular place for homework is the kitchen table. If that works for your family, then make it work for homework. Turn off TVs, music and cell phone alerts. Keep pencils and other supplies in a portable container.

Ask, don’t tell

Doing homework is your child’s job, not yours. While younger children need more assistance with homework routines, as early as possible in your child’s school career, foster responsibility by limiting your role to asking questions:

  • “What homework do you have?”
  • “When will you do it?”
  • “What do you need from me?”

If your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Ask her to read you the directions and tell you what she thinks they mean. “How could you make that happen?” or “What do you need to do first?” are questions to get her thinking about how to solve the problem.

Gather information

Early in the year, talk to your child and possibly the teacher about how homework will be assigned, how long homework should take, and whether the teacher wants parents to have any role in homework completion.

Maintain perspective

Model a balanced approach to homework by remembering:

  • Homework is a safe place to fail—the goal is to learn.