If you run into conflicts trying to get your kids to do their homework, a dedicated homework station may be the solution.
Creating a space just for learning will help your child to do better in school while maintaining more harmony in your home.
Read on to find out how to set up the perfect homework station for your kids.
How to Create the Perfect Homework Station for Your Child
1. Pick a quiet spot.
Look for a spot that will enable your child to concentrate while you provide whatever level of supervision they need.
The kitchen or dining room table are often good options as you can keep an eye on them, but also shut out younger siblings to help them concentrate.
2. Banish most electronics.
Save the cell phone calls and video games for later.
You may want to give your child a computer without internet access or limit their browsing to what they need for their assignments.
3. Stock up on homework supplies.
Put together an assortment of all the commonly used items you’re likely to need: paper, pens, pencils, markers, glue, scissors and a calculator.
Having everything together in one place saves having to waste time hunting around for what they need.
4. Create a homework folder.
Make it easier for your child to bring home the instructions they need and take their completed assignments back to school.
Try a homework folder with one pocket each for incoming and outgoing paperwork.
5. Design a caddy.
Make your homework station easily portable.
Any receptacle big enough to hold all the items will work.
You can use a laundry basket, plastic tub or whatever you have on hand.
6. Supply instrumental music.
Some people focus better in complete silence and others prefer background sounds.
Experiment with instrumental music if your child complains that it’s too quiet.
7. Offer fidget toys.
Similarly, your child may crave something to do with their hands.
Small children may like building toys or puzzles while older kids can have a rubber ball to roll around or other fidget toys.
8. Post written reminders.
Another fabulous benefit of a homework station is that parents can post rules and deadlines.
Work with your child to put together a homework timetable or revision schedule.
Think how much better you’ll all feel when you can stop nagging!
How to Use Your Homework Station
1. Discuss the importance of homework.
Get your child involved in the process from the start by talking about the benefits of homework.
Welcome their suggestions for how to work together.
2. Schedule dedicated homework time.
Now that you have a place for homework, make time for it.
Many families find that kids need a little downtime after school and before bed so consider some interval in between the two.
3. Break tasks down into chunks.
It’s natural for kids to need one or more breaks during their homework sessions.
Setting a kitchen timer makes it easy for them to see how much time they need to work before break-time.
4. Proceed gradually.
Incremental goals will show your child that they’re making progress and motivate them to achieve more.
Pick one or two areas for improvement at a time and help them to focus on those primarily.
5. Present rewards.
Teach your child that their actions have consequences, and that setting goals for yourself and meeting them is worthy of reward.
If they meet the goals you agree on, like completing assignments on time, pick a reward that is meaningful for them.
You might bake their favourite cupcakes together for dessert, or plan amazing family days out at the weekend.
Setting a reward helps us to work harder as adults, so helping your kids to set their own goals, targets and rewards is a great life skill.
Of course, the ultimate goal is to guide kids towards regulating their own performance.
As your child matures, you may feel confident that they will do their school work responsibly in the privacy of their own bedroom and do away with the homework station, or they may prefer to work in the family area around you.
Homework can often be a challenge for many kids.
Give them the resources to succeed by putting together a homework station that will help make learning more fun and productive.
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