Homework Help

Classrooms conducive to learning may go a long way toward helping students understand the subjects they study in school, but the environment kids encounter at home also plays a big role in how well kids do in their studies. Some kids may do well in class but find it hard to focus once they arrive home. That’s because home often has far more distractions than the classroom. A homework-friendly atmosphere at home can facilitate learning, and there are many ways parents can create such an environment for their school-aged children.

• Designate a homework zone in a distraction-free area of your home. Some youngsters are easily distracted, and those distractions come in many forms. A living room where the television is blaring, a noisy kitchen where dinner is being prepared and a room where pets can roam free are not ideal homework areas, as each can take kids’ attention away from their assignments. Designate a room in your home that is quiet and well lit so kids can do their homework completely free from distraction.

• Choose the right location for the homework zone. When choosing an area of your home where kids will do their homework, avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen and living room, as these rooms tend to be popular and subject to heavy foot traffic and are often distracting. But don’t choose a room that’s too far away from the hustle and bustle, such as the basement, as that may make kids feel as though homework is a form of punishment.

In addition, you want to be able to check in on kids to see if they need help and make sure they aren’t spending their homework time playing, surfing the Internet or procrastinating. Parents should make sure they aren’t the distraction. Let kids do their work in peace and quiet, offering to help if need be, but otherwise steering clear of the homework area so they are encouraged to focus and not strike up conversations with mom or dad.

• Keep the homework area clean. A cluttered homework room may be less appealing to children, and such disorganization also can distract kids from the tasks at hand. Encourage kids to keep their homework area clean, and help them clean up if need be. Supplies and other items kids need should be easily accessible so they are not wasting time looking for items they need to complete their homework.

• Let kids rest or relax when they get home from their day, before starting their homework. Another element of a good homework atmosphere is letting kids unwind between getting home from school and cracking open the books. A break between school and homework time can help kids focus better on their studies. In the interim between arriving home from school and starting on their homework, give kids a healthy snack that can provide an extra jolt of energy they can use once they start their homework.

• Encourage breaks. A breather every so often can help kids avoid growing tired. Make sure kids don’t take up another task, such as playing video games or watching television, during their breaks. But keep in mind that standing up every so often to walk around or get a glass of water can help them stay sharp and energized over the long haul.

• Evaluate how the homework zone is working. Once an ample amount of time has passed, examine how kids are performing on their homework assignments. If they are doing well, then there is no reason to break up the current routine. If they are struggling, ask them if there is anything about the current setup they dislike and address those issues accordingly.

Kids rarely look forward to doing their homework. But the right atmosphere can make homework seem like less of a chore and more of an opportunity for kids to apply themselves.