The summer homework scramble is a tradition many parents know well. The limitless amount of time we think lies ahead seems to suddenly disappear. At some point, it hits us that school starts soon and that summer homework is still at the bottom of the backpack. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Here are some tips for helping kids manage their summer homework so that it isn’t all crammed into the last week of summer.
Create a Schedule, Write it Down, Post it Clearly
Constant reminders that your child has homework won’t convince them to get it done. Lots of kids need help knowing when to do it, not just that they need to. Work with them on creating a schedule for completing whatever their homework is in small steps. It’s important that you help them break it down as this can be a difficult skill for kids. If they are faced with the entirety of the task each time they sit down to it, their motivation will be sapped pretty quickly. So help them to look at the task in smaller, bite-sized pieces so they don’t get overwhelmed.
If the homework is a packet of worksheets or tasks that are already somewhat compartmentalized, then breaking it down will be incredibly easy. If it’s a larger, more cumulative task like an essay or project, your child will likely need help creating those smaller steps. Once the breakdown and schedule have been created, make sure to post it somewhere visible. Your child should be able to easily access and refer to it in order to stay on track.
Talk About it Ahead of Time
Before you actually sit down and create the homework plan with your child, give her a head’s up that it’ll be happening. Some kids have a lot of anxiety when it comes to completing homework, especially long-term assignments. They will feel more at ease if you give them some notice that the conversation will be happening. They'll also be more ready for it when it comes. Just be sure to schedule it for a specific time well in advance—not just "sometime soon."
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement (focusing on what the child is doing right) is such a powerful disciplinary tool. But many parents automatically resort to punishment (focusing on what the child is doing wrong). This is understandable! It’s easier and a lot more convenient to identify something to take away. But when it comes to homework, as well as many other things kids struggle with, positive reinforcement is so much more likely to work effectively than punishment. If a student knows that ice cream or an hour of video game time awaits him at the other side of his work, he will be a lot more excited to do it than he would be with the threat of having something taken away. It’s all in how you frame it to the child.
Take an Interest
Show your students that you care about the work they complete and turn in. Not just that they do it, but the content, too. In addition to pushing them to improve, also be sure to point out all the hard work you’ve noticed them doing and give specific praise around what you think they’ve done well. Ask them questions about their work. If they sense your genuine curiosity to know more about what they’re learning, doing, or creating, they’re more likely to invest energy in it themselves.