Scared of homework? The good news is that you’re not alone! Here at Equazen we have carried out some research and discovered that parents often find their child’s ability exceeds anything they learned at school and therefore feel daunted by many of the subjects which form part of their child’s normal school day.
To help you handle the mounds of homework soon to be appearing on your child’s desks, we have worked with TV presenter Maggie Philbin and created a list of helpful tips.
• Always encourage your child to ask questions
This will help ensure an understanding of the homework before your child gets home, therefore preventing the problem in the first place.
• Support your child by remaining calm
Your child can sense your anxiety when asking for help with his homework. Try to remain relaxed and explain that you will solve the problem together, but that it may take a little time.
• Be there as an ear
Even if you cannot help with the homework, there are other ways to help your child. Act as a support by listening when they are finding their homework a strain.
• Phone a friend
If you too are struggling with a homework question that your child has been asked, don’t be afraid to call a friend or another parent for advice. Not only will this solve the problem, but you may inadvertently be putting another parent’s mind at ease!
• Ensure there is a homework routine
If your child knows when they must do their homework, it becomes less of a struggle to actually ensure that they do it! The routine should be right for both you and your child, in order to keep pressure on the family unit as low as possible.
• Prepare a snack
Having a healthy snack ready for when they arrive home from school will help their concentration, making it less of a chore to begin their homework. Sardines on wholemeal toast are a great option, providing both energy and the Omega-3 essential fatty acids which are crucial for brain function. It s important to be aware that nutrition on the whole plays a key role in your child’s productivity and ability to learn, so a healthy diet is a must.
• Check if the school operates a homework club
Homework clubs help both you and your child to understand the educational material being taught, as well as the techniques involved in learning certain subjects. Homework clubs may also provide useful links to online learning tools or give you an overview on the syllabus in advance of the term ahead.
• Communicate with the school
Do not be afraid to approach your child’s teacher directly. She too wants your child to succeed, so alerting her to the fact that your son or daughter is struggling will allow her to act on it. The teacher can also explain any areas of the syllabus which you are struggling with, enabling you to help your child at home. However be sure to approach the teacher in a non-confrontational manner in order to start a warm and co-operative relationship.
• Taste Success
Helping your kids ‘taste success’ will enable them to appreciate the merits in working hard. Positive results that took effort to achieve will naturally encourage your child to succeed not only in school but in all aspects of their life.
• Consider a study mate
Some children find it easier to do their homework with a friend. This allows them to help each other and results in more confidence in their own abilities.
Equazen eye q is available to buy online here at the Equazen shop or at Boots and Tesco stores nationwide.