There is so much information available to us as parents about our child’s school life. On one hand, it’s nice to have access. On the other hand, it can feel like yet another responsibility on our shoulders.
But whose responsibility is homework anyway?
Good question – I’m glad you asked!
Homework provides an opportunity for kids to learn responsibility for getting the work home, getting it done, and getting it handed in. This learning takes time and a parent’s responsibility is to support our child in learning these lessons. Your child’s school’s homework app is one part of this process. Initially, your child will need you to be involved. As I’ll outline below, you will be able to wean yourself from much of the process as time passes.
The homework app is one part of this process. Initially, your child will need you to be involved. As I’ll outline below, you will be able to wean yourself from much of the process as time passes.
Getting started
Planning with kids tends to work better when you:
As you create the homework plan with your child, it’s great to come to the table with your ideas about how things will work. Ask your child to bring their ideas as well and be sure to include some of their suggestions in the final plan. Together, answer the following questions:
Homework strategy
Once you have the answers, you can teach the strategy. Homework arguments happen because a child can’t organize themselves to get going. An argument keeps you in the room and delays having to do the work.
Have your child log into their school’s homework app or website with you beside them. Get them to make a quick list of the assigned tasks. It can be helpful to write each task on separate post it notes so that they can see the exact amount of work required and not feel overwhelmed.
While you are still in the app, have your child check to see if there are any incomplete assignments. If so, plan with your child to finish and submit the work.
Once you have checked everything, it’s time to plan the work order and get going.
Your child can line up the sticky notes in the order that they want to do the work. They may want to warm up with the easier tasks or want to jump in with the harder stuff to get it out of the way.
Short time increments of work with short breaks have proven successful for many kids. Have them set a timer for ten to 15 minutes and work until it rings. A short stretch break can separate these focused times. Your child may want to crumple up the note as each task is done. This helps visual learners get a sense of progress.
Your presence in the room may be helpful to keep your child on task. You could be working on something alongside them or completing other things in their vicinity. Be available for questions. Notice and encourage their independence, rather than waiting to criticize when they’re off task.
The last step of any homework session is getting the work back into the backpack to go back to school and get handed in.
Increasing your child’s homework independence
After two to three weeks of successfully following this process, you can plan to step back a bit. Your child will continue to log into the app, note homework, and plan the order. You may switch to being with them every second day, and then to twice a week, and then once a week, as they prove their ability to self-direct.
Continuing to check in with them once a week is helpful to monitor their progress without snooping behind their back. Your clear, honest involvement helps them.
There will be stumbles along the way. Problem-solve with a belief that you’ll figure it out together. If you need any support in this or other parenting, check in with me at parentmentornow.com.
Homework Success in 5 Steps
Help your child build independence with a simple homework routine:
1. Create a plan together. Decide where and when homework will happen, how distractions will be managed, and what supplies they'll need before they begin.
2. Check assignments first. Have your child log into the school's homework app, make a list of tasks, and look for any missing or incomplete work.
3. Break it into manageable chunks. Write each assignment on a separate sticky note, choose the order together, and work in ten to 15 minute intervals with short stretch breaks.
4. Support, don't take over. Stay nearby while your child works, answer questions when needed, and praise their growing independence instead of focusing on mistakes.
5. Gradually step back. After a few weeks of success, reduce your involvement over time so your child learns to manage homework independently, while still checking in regularly to offer guidance.
Author, blogger, podcast host, and parenting expert, Julie Freedman Smith has been supporting parents across North America for 20 years. Through her company JFS Parent Education, she helps parents find relief from their everyday parenting challenges. Want to know how she can help you? Email her today:
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