Family Album Radio Podcast: Helping Children With Homework
Written by Heidi Liss Radunovich, Ph.D.
Reviewed by Donna Davis and Suzanna D. Smith PhD, MSW, CFLE

Although children and their parents often dread homework, it provides an important opportunity for children to practice what they have learned in school, get more in-depth information, apply skills learned more broadly, obtain important learning and organizational skills, and learn how to work independently with self-discipline. Homework can also give parents a sense of what their children are doing in school and how well they are doing. And, homework can even enhance parents’ relationships with their children.Here are some tips on things you can do to help your children with homework:
Set a regular family quiet time for working. Provide your child with a comfortable and well-lit place where they can do homework, such as a desk or a kitchen table with a chair. Minimize distractions by turning off the TV, and making video games off-limits during quiet time. Make sure that your child has pens, pencils, notebook paper or any other needed supplies. Know where to direct your child to get information they may need, such as a school or course web site, homework hotline, other children in the class, or a teacher’s help before or after school.

Think of yourself as a coach to your children, providing assistance on what to do next if they get stuck, checking over their work when they are finished, or even helping them practice testing themselves on new skills. Showing interest in their work and encouraging their efforts can be a boost for your children and help them find greater success in school.
Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Heidi Liss Radunovich, Ph.D., “Helping Children with Homework.” Family, Youth and Community Sciences News. University of Florida, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and UF/IFAS Extension. Retrieved on August 15, 2006 from http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2006/08/helping-children-with-homework.html

National Education Association. Helping your student get the most out of homework. Gurung, R. (2005). How do students really study (and does it matter)? Teaching of Psychology, 32, 239-241. U.S. Department of Education. Helping your child with homework.