Establishing a Successful Homework Routine

A friend contacted me recently to communicate the challenge of getting her seven year old son back into a homework routine after the recent break. His daily homework expectations are reasonable and appropriate for a second grade child. The child is capable of doing the work independently and the work that is now taking up to 60 minutes should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. This particular child enjoys physical activity and is doing well in school, however, staying on task while doing school work is a challenge, especially after school when he wants to play.

It is very easy to get out of an established homework routine and a huge challenge to get back into a routine that previously worked. Returning to an established homework routine with slight modifications can reduce the daily stress in your household while setting your child up for success.

Many children respond well to a consistent, predictable homework routine and benefit from scheduled play time right after school, before doing homework. Working play into the daily routine can make it easier for a child who loves and needs to play, to make the transition from school to homework.

Begin daily homework by asking your child to explain what he needs to do. Talk through a complex task and/or plan multiple tasks together and break the job(s) into simple steps recorded as a checklist on a Post-it note.  If necessary, prompt him to begin the task and to use the checklist.

Be prepared when your child finds creative ways to get off task, even when working at his own desk in a room away from noisy distractions.  He may need an understanding adult to help him to quickly remove the distraction and/or to gently remind him to get back to his work. Stay with your child even after you are sure that he has a checklist in front of him and he has communicated that he understands what to do. Prompt him to use his list until his work is complete. You can work to reduce the amount of prompting while gently guiding him toward following this routine independently later.

Do all that you can to set your child up for success while working with him to follow a consistent and predictable homework routine after school every day.  Guide him to make transitions from school to his daily homework in less time. Help him to plan his work and to break up a job into steps so that he does all that he needs to do with growing independence and stays on task until his work is finished.

Establishing a homework routine and practicing basic time management skills are as important to school success as the assigned work. Be sure to give your child specific positive feedback on actions that he takes to follow this daily homework routine. The natural reward of earning more time to play may have a positive effect on the entire family.

Find the best tutoring solution for your family.