Though not the most loved word in a child’s vocabulary, “homework” is an indispensable component of the learning process. It serves as a tool to reinforce the concepts learned in class, introduces novel concepts for future lessons, and equips students with the ability to apply their knowledge across diverse subjects.

As you are probably aware, our school places great emphasis on valuing parents and guardians as integral parts of the learning process. We encourage parents to actively participate in homework assignments. Research has demonstrated that parents can have a significant and positive impact on a student’s attitude towards homework. Moreover, being more involved in supervising homework can even accelerate a child’s learning process!

Paying attention to how children handle their homework can provide valuable insights into their academic performance. If a child is struggling and taking an excessive amount of time to complete their homework, it’s a great opportunity for parents to reach out to their child’s teacher. By collaborating, both parents and teachers can effectively support the student’s learning journey. The greater the involvement of parents in their child’s education, the higher the chances of their child developing into a well-rounded citizen. This is a core value that we emphasize every day at school!

Here are some tips to help parents maximize their child’s at-home learning and improve their view of homework:

• Schedule Daily Homework Time

You know your child better than anyone. Do they get sleepy after dinner and require an early bedtime? Do they need time to release excess energy and unwind upon returning home from school? Do they have extracurricular activities that consume their after-school hours? Allocate a few hours daily for homework at a time when your child is alert but not overly energetic. Once you establish a homework schedule, make it a daily priority. No other commitments should ever interfere with your child’s homework.

• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework with no distractions like TV, visitors, etc.

It’s never too early to establish some structure for your kids. Children feel most comfortable when things are consistent and predictable, and setting up a dedicated homework area can contribute to this sense of security. Ensure that the area is well-lit and away from distractions like TV, but not so isolated that the child feels separated from the family. Fill it with essential supplies such as paper, pencils, glue, scissors, and anything else they may need to complete their homework. Additionally, personalize the space to make it feel like a special and inviting place for your child to work on their homework.

• Be positive about homework because children will pick up your enthusiasm and be more motivated.

Let’s ensure our kids are motivated to complete their homework. If you’re in another room watching TV, it won’t be effective. The entire family must be on board with the homework schedule. Find a quiet activity you can do near their homework area. This way, you can monitor them and provide support or a break when necessary.

The most crucial aspect is to never do any of your child’s homework for them. It may be tempting to provide the answer to a challenging problem, but the primary objective of school is to learn and kids don’t learn anything if you do the work for them.

• Communicate with your child’s teacher and find out the goal of the homework assignment.

Reach out to your child’s teacher early in the year to get to know their homework policy and expectations. Start using ClassDojo and refer to the Parent/Student Handbook on the website to communicate with teachers. This will allow teachers the opportunity to provide information on your child’s weak areas and suggest ways to help them succeed. Alternatively, if your child is confused about a homework assignment, speaking with their teacher promptly can save time and ensure everyone is on the same page.

It’s still early in the 2025-2026 school year, and the most effective way parents can assist their children with homework is by providing guidance, pointing them in the right direction, and leading them. However, regardless of how tempting it may be to alleviate the discomfort of tasks like math problems, children must learn to independently find the answers.