Strategies and Solutions to Common Homework Issues – Part 2

Academic Issues

As discussed in a previous post, parents can help their children to become more responsible, independent and successful learners by facilitating good study, organization and time-management skills at home while working on weekly homework assignments.

Many children struggle with homework due to academic issues. Language and processing problems, writing mechanics, written expression and spelling difficulty are examples of academic issues that translate into homework issues at home.

Following are some strategies to try.

Language Processing Weakness

• Additional one-on-one time with a parent who will be available as needed, yet guide his/her child to work as independently as possible
• Encourage your child to read directions aloud,
• Teach your child to underline action verbs and/or highlight key words and/or phrases to help reduce confusion and increase understanding of directions and concepts.
• Check for understanding: ask your child to rephrase (not repeat) what he just read.
• Teach your child to ask him/herself questions about what he/she reads.
• Watch your child as s/he begins a task to see that s/he understands.
• Be available if/when your child has questions.

Writing Mechanics

• Determine the purpose of assignments that are writing intensive.
• If penmanship and/or writing mechanics are not the goal, it would be reasonable to request accommodations.
• If writing difficulty is due to graphomotor issues, your child may need extra handwriting help and/or accommodations, and less required handwriting.

Written Expression

• Talk with your child. Children can practice and improve their writing skills by talking!
• Expect your child to speak in complete sentences.
• Ask him/her to tell you more details.
• Encourage your child to support an idea with facts.
• Notice how s/he organizes ideas and details while talking.
• Graphic organizers are a good way to help children plan, organize and improve written expression skills.

Spelling Difficulty

Strategies for learning spelling words for weekly spelling tests will be a topic of another post. Strategies for spelling issues that affect homework performance are listed below.

• Ask your child about the spelling strategies s/he uses at school.
• Help your child to discover/notice spelling rules.
• Teach your child to proofread his/her work.
• Teach your child to use tools such as a dictionary and/or spell check.
• Spend extra time learning high-frequency words.
• Work with your child to break bad habits if s/he consistently makes the same kind of spelling mistakes.

Students who need instructional accommodations in the classroom may need similar accommodations with homework. It is important for parents and teachers to communicate and work together to help children to achieve success while working to become independent learners.

If your child is in need of an online tutor, find the best solution for your family.