Helping your child with their homework

Parents and carers spend an average of six hours a week on helping their children with homework. If you show interest and give support early on, it will encourage your child to develop positive attitudes to learning, in and out of school.

 

You will benefit too. You'll get to know your child's particular strengths and weaknesses. You’ll also find out what he is studying. Your child's school will also benefit by having motivated pupils and well-informed parents who are fully involved with their children's education.

 

Here are some ways you can help at home:

• Suggest doing homework as soon as your child gets it, so that the information is fresh in their mind.
• Create a suitable environment for study and revision, for example a quiet area with a table to work at.
• Turn off the television.
• Show an interest in what your child is doing; encourage them to talk about it.
• Ask them to explain the things you don't know about.
• Listen to what they are saying.
• Give praise by acknowledging their successes.
• Try not to compare them negatively to others – either older or younger siblings or other children in their class. This may discourage rather than motivate.
• Encourage them to think about how they can find answers for themselves. This will help them more than you doing the work for them.
• Encourage them to have other interests; they shouldn't spend all their time on school work.
• Help your child to get organised, find out when work is due and help them make a timetable to complete it

At the library your child can find:

• lots of books to take home or use in the library
• space in which to work
• friendly and welcoming staff who will help them find the information they need
• computers that are free to use
• free holds on books
• printing and photocopying facilities