Forming Good Study Habits with Children

Here are some tips to parents in helping children form a habit of doing their homework:

1. Know the teachers — and what they're looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child's teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.
2. Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit, quiet and comfortable place designated as a study area. Keep supplies — paper, pencils, glue, scissors — within reach.
3. Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner. Know what works best with your child and choose that time as your child’s regular study time, whether he has homework or not.
4. Help them make a plan.  Encourage your child break up the homework into loads that they can manage. Create a work schedule if necessary. This scheduling skill will help your child manage days when they have lots of homework to accomplish.
5. Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls. If there are other children in the house, they should be kept away and instructed to be quiet or play away from where your child’s homework place.
6. Make sure kids do their own work. They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions. But it's a kid's job to do the learning.
7. Be a motivator and monitor. Check if there is homework or any take-home tasks. Make this a habit every day. Encourage your child to read and review the day’s lesson every day.
8. Set a good example. Children follow what they see us, their parents, do. Set as a good example to your child. If your child sees you managing your time well despite your busy schedule, read a book or anything valuable, they are more likely to follow rather than just mere advices.
9. Praise their work and efforts. Make sure that your child knows that his efforts in school are appreciated. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.
10. If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child's teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need an evaluation for a learning problem or attention disorder.

For young learners (preschoolers and kindergartners), homework is just given out to establish good study habits for the children. Our role as parents is to just follow up, motivate and monitor our children. We don’t have to stress or pressure the child to perfect the homework.