Discover our 5 C’s to build a consistent homework and study routine for your child.
Most parents dread homework time just as much as their children. The tears, frustration, and endless cries of “have you done your homework?” after spending several hours in Accra traffic can be enough to make you consider throwing the workbooks out the window, but homework is an essential way to extend learning beyond the classroom. At DMS, Children from Nursery to Primary are expected to complete two homework assignments each week with parental supervision. This helps parents remain informed about what their children are learning at school and establishes a routine for older children to develop study skills as they prepare for more challenging internal and external assessments.
We’ve shared five tested tips to create a sustainable homework and study routine that helps you support your children as they learn.
Commit to a routine with your child. A great way to ensure consistent participation is to involve your child in the decision-making process. Do they work better before, or after their snack or dinner? Will they agree not to watch TV or play with their tablets until their assignment is complete? Speak with them to help them understand why their homework time is just as important as the other daily routines, and work with them to create solid routines around their after-school learning.
Set up a space that is free from distractions (away from the tv or high-traffic areas) and has everything they need to complete the assignment. (Pencils, art supplies, etc. This allows your child to devote their complete attention to the task, and avoid having to start and stop multiple times.
Challenge your children to work independently. It can be tempting to provide the answers to a worksheet, but homework is not a contest. It’s a way to help your child develop certain skills for themselves. Resist the urge to do the work yourself, and give your children the opportunity to try and (occasionally fail) You can provide gentle directions and subtle correction by helping them work step-by-step through challenging questions.
Change your child’s mindset about homework. Have positive conversations with them about why they need to practice their skills, and offer incentives and rewards for completion and correctness.
Connect with your child’s teacher regularly; This eliminates the all-too-familiar, “The teacher gave us homework, but I don’t understand…”Try to extend the interaction beyond just PTA meetings and open-day events. The DMS faculty is warm, friendly, and committed to developing strong partnerships with parents. Our teachers can provide additional clarification for confusing assignments or pinpoint additional areas to work on in their free time.
Our experienced team of educators is always available to support you as you work to improve your family’s after-school learning experience. Please feel free to reach out to any of the DMS faculty or the school administrator if you’d like additional support.