By Cat Holmes

University of Georgia

School is almost back in session and with it comes homework.
Unfortunately, many children think of homework as punishment,
and sometimes, so do parents.

How can you reduce homework headaches? “When adults nag
children to get their homework done, children look for ways to
put it off – and the whole process can become a power
struggle,” said University of Georgia Extension human
development specialist Don Bower.

A positive attitude and good homework habits can prevent power
struggles between parents and children and generally reduce
household stress.

Homework helps children practice, reinforce or expand the
skills they learn during the school day. Teachers say
completing homework assignments is as important as attending
school.

That’s why it’s important to establish “homework time”, Bower
says. A consistent quiet time for homework lets children know
it’s a priority. It also cuts down on arguments about when to
do the work.

To determine when homework time should occur, it’s important to
consider the child’s personality.

“Some children are better off completing their homework before
they play outside or watch television,” Bower said. “Others
need some relaxation time after school before they are ready to
do homework. Choose the time and place that works best for
each child, even if they end up doing homework at different
times.”

The child’s needs aren’t the only consideration when
determining homework time.

“Make sure an adult will be available to help during ‘homework
time’,” Bower said. “Adults can read, pay bills or other quiet
activities while the children study.”

Helping a child do their homework doesn’t mean doing it for
them, Bower said.

“Essentially, homework is a contract between the teacher and
her students,” he said. “It’s the child’s job, not the
parents. Does that mean you don’t help at all? Of course not.
The question isn’t if, but how.”

Many adults struggle with how much help to give children. Bower
says it’s fine to work through a question or two, but make sure
your child is doing most of the work himself.

“Doing your child’s homework for him may seem like the easiest
short-term solution,” Bower said. “But it will wind up hurting
your child down the road.”

Organization is the key for long-term projects, Bowers says.

“Many children don’t know how to break a large assignment down
into manageable steps,” Bowers said. “They don’t start on it
until a few days before it’s due.”

Parents can help by sitting down with the child the first night
and helping them plan out a strategy. Choose specific dates to
have information gathered, to complete a first draft and to
finish revisions.

Research shows that completing appropriate homework
successfully is a sure-fire way to promote academic success,
Bower said.

“When you make homework a priority in your home, you are
offering your children support, helping them deal with
mistakes, teaching them to take responsibility for their own
learning and helping them develop problem solving skills,” he
said.

(Cat Holmes is a news editor with the University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)