How to Make Homework Time Easier

Is it a struggle getting your kid to do their homework on time? For many parents, it’s a nightly battle. Some kids may not want to sit down and start their homework, some may not want to do work for certain subjects, and some may tell you that they don’t have any homework when they actually do. There are a variety of potential reasons behind the daily struggle like trouble focusing, mental exhaustion, distractions. At the end of the day, when kids get home from school, they tend to crave free time and they don’t want to bring the structure of school home with them. If you’re at a loss for getting homework done without the bickering, here are some tips and tricks for you…

1. Establish a homework routine -
   It’s important for your child to understand that homework is part of the daily routine. Establishing a comfortable routine will help your child mentally prepare for doing their homework. When they get home from school, give them a mental break for about an hour. You can think of it as a tradeoff: they get free time for a bit, and then they have to do their homework. Let them watch TV, rest, or have a snack first—whatever they need to do to decompress. Then have them start homework at a set time, within an hour or so of getting home, so that they have the space to recharge while not procrastinating the work. To enforce this, you can create a written schedule and put it on the fridge. So if there’s any doubt of when it’s homework time, you can point to the family schedule. It’s important to help your kid understand that free time is a reward for accomplishing the homework.

2. Minimize distractions -
   By minimizing distractions during homework time, you can help your kid focus on the task at hand. Remove distractions like phones, TVs, and other electronic devices that aren’t needed for their work. If your child doesn’t need wifi for their work, turn off the wifi on their computer. If they do need internet, have them close out of other windows and tabs on their computer so they aren’t tempted to switch to something else. Simplicity is key here; the less things to pull your child away from their homework, the faster they’ll be able to get it done.

3. Set up designated homework spaces for each child -
   Your environment impacts your ability to concentrate. It would be harder for you to do your work in the TV room compared to the office, right? The same goes for your child. Give them a space that’s just for homework. Ideally this will be somewhere other than their room, so they can associate their bedroom as a fun space and their homework zone as a focus space. Perhaps you can set up a desk or a table in the home office, or in a room without many screens. Also consider giving them the freedom to “design” their space. Let them decide what chair they want to sit in, or give them a small budget for things like stickers or magnets to decorate their desk and make the space their own. If you have more than one child, give each child a separate space to work; that way, they don’t distract each other.

4. Build breaks into homework time -
   You can’t work for an hour straight without your mind wandering, and neither can your kids. To make homework time more manageable and to improve their focus, give your kids 5-10 minute brain breaks. Having breaks will make homework a more positive experience and less of a punishment. Kids will appreciate the chance to get up, stretch their legs, and grab a snack.

5. Create a reward system -
   To keep your child motivated, consider implementing a reward system. You can give your child their own calendar where they place a sticker on it on nights that they complete their homework. And at the end of the week, all of those stickers can add up to a small prize. This will give your child another incentive to do their homework aside from grades.
   

It’s not easy getting your kids to sit down, focus, and get their homework done. With many distractions right at their fingertips, it’s no wonder parents struggle with homework time. Luckily, there are ways to make the battle easier. Set your child up for success at homework time by trying out the tips mentioned above. With time, homework time can become a more pleasant experience for you and your child alike.