5 Stress-Free Homework Tips for Parents Helping Students

Helping kids with their homework can be a daunting task for parents. The curriculum might look different than it did when you were in school, or maybe you have a different learning style than your student. This can often lead to frustration for both you and your child. But don’t worry — you don’t need to have all the answers.

When it comes to homework, it’s best to support the student as much as possible. You want to give them the resources and encouragement they need to reach the answers on their own. Here are some homework tips for parents helping students. (These might be especially handy for families enrolled in Westminster Academy’s hybrid learning program!)

Communicate with their teachers

Before you can really begin helping your child with homework, you need to understand what they’re learning and any challenges they’re facing. Make sure to attend any parent-teacher conferences or open houses to get an idea of the curriculum. You can also ask them about homework policies, deadlines, and more specific suggestions they have for parents getting involved in the homework process.

If you’re noticing that your child needs extra help in a particular subject, talk to their teachers. They might be able to work more closely with the student on that subject at school, or they can help you explore some tutoring options. You and their teachers can work as a team to help your child succeed!

Set up an organized homework zone

It’s also important to give your student the space and tools they need to complete their homework. Set up a desk area with pencils, erasers, paper, notebooks, and good lighting. Your child might also need a calculator, glue, scissors, colored pencils, or other supplies. Again, you can check with their teacher for a specific list of supplies that would come in handy, as it depends on the student’s grade and what they’re working on. Limit distractions, such as technology (unless it’s needed for an assignment), in the homework zone.

Make a homework plan

Setting some ground rules with homework can ensure that your child completes everything on time with little stress. Communicate with your child daily about what they need to work on, whether it’s a worksheet, an essay, or studying for a quiz/test. Encourage them to keep an organized planner where they can write down their assignments.

Sit down with your student and decide an appropriate timeframe to work on homework — usually 30 minutes to an hour, but it depends on the workload and deadlines. Will they work on it as soon as they get home from school? After dinner? You can also discuss rewards for completing homework, like time playing video games/watching tv or having a small treat, as well as consequences for not getting it done. And how involved will you be in the homework process? Remember, you want to support them, but not give them the answers. Find the appropriate balance between giving them a hand and letting them be independent.

We suggest outlining all of this in a homework contract. Understood.org has detailed sample homework contracts that parents and students can sign.

Find engaging ways to study

Understanding your child’s learning style can make homework go more smoothly, especially when it comes to studying. They might learn and retain information best by seeing it in front of them or hearing it. In some cases, it helps to have a physical activity to aid in studying. For example, you might find it helpful to toss a ball back and forth with your child while quizzing them on test questions. Flashcards can also be a helpful tool, or reading a book chapter together. Communicate with your child to come up with the best study technique.

Use online educational resources

Don’t be afraid to go online for help if you and your child hit a wall in the homework process. If you aren’t sure how to help them get to the answer, there are plenty of digital resources available for all subjects, from math to world history. The Family Online Safety Institute has a homework page with guides and links to other homework help websites, including Scholastic Homework Hub, Game Classroom, Khan Academy, Kids.gov, and more.

Contact Angelyn Dodson at Westminster Academy to discuss your student’s at-home studies and what works best for them.