Parenting is one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks you can do. Sure, there are tantrums and tears in the early years, but the cuteness factor makes up for it. As they age, you see them develop into unique people with their ideas, values, beliefs and preferences. It’s a magical experience that is not matched by anything else in the world.
And as your kid enters high school, the academic demands increase. Depending on their school, they could have several hours of homework weekly. And what if you want to help them with their homework but are unsure of the best approach? This helpful article will share how you can support your child’s academic success. Read on to discover more.
Get Them A Sit Stand Desk
Part of helping your child do their homework is providing suitable materials and equipment to focus on the tasks. Sit stand desks are a perfect addition to their study or bedroom. As they’re sitting all day at school, the ability to stand up and study at home will give their back, neck, shoulders and hips a chance to decompress. Even though kids are more flexible and recover quicker than adults, sitting all day is not great for anyone. A sit stand desk can be lowered, so they can sit down for the rest of their study period when they get tired of standing.
Do With, Not For
One golden rule for helping your kid with homework is to do it with them, not for them. Approach the maths problem, English essay or History assignment collaboratively. Get them to read and think about the question before they solve the equation or begin their writing exercise. Support them to use their research materials such as textbooks, the internet and other resources. You don’t want to spoon-feed them the answer or write an assignment for them because they won’t learn that way. A collaborative approach where you tackle the problem together is the best way to go about it.
Consider A Tutor
If your child is in their final years of high school or even in earlier years, but you want them to have the best support they can get, consider hiring a tutor. A tutor is often an older student, such as a university student, who excels in particular fields. For instance, some tutors offer maths and science support, while others focus on English and History. Ideally, it would help if you asked your child what subjects they struggle with most and then hired a tutor to focus on them.
Some tutors can visit you in your home, while others will meet your child at the local library. There is the cost involved, but a tutor can give your child the edge they need in their final exams or to get a grasp on some subjects earlier in their academic life.
Set a Routine
Kids benefit from a routine as much as we adults. Help your kid to set a routine for study. For instance, they may have 30 minutes of TV or video games at home to help them decompress from school. Serve them a healthy snack while they do this, such as a fruit platter or a smoothie. Then, while you prepare dinner, they sit down and study for an hour. Then, a break for dinner and some family time, such as a quick card or board game. Then, they can hit the books again for another hour before bed. Establishing a routine like this will begin to cement the idea of study time in their head, which will benefit them when they begin tertiary education.
Get to Know Their Teachers
Make sure you make an effort to get to know their teachers. Attend the parent-teacher conferences and after-hours school events. Ask questions of the teachers, such as what your child needs to focus on or any shortcomings they might have. Perhaps they excel at science but struggle with humanities. Then, you can focus on providing the support they need to make up the difference. As suggested above, this could be through the tutor, or you could invest in additional resources such as books or online subscriptions to educational sites.
Minimise Distractions
Kids can procrastinate as much as, and sometimes more than us, adults. Ensure that the house is nice and quiet for them to study, so no loud music, TV or other noise. If they habitually sneak on their devices instead of studying, you can install parental controls that lock the devices or the internet during their study time.
A Studious Summary
This helpful article has shared all about homework help and how you can support your child’s academic success. Follow these tips, and you’ll provide a supportive environment for your child’s ongoing education and a launching pad for their future success.
