Whether it stems from the amount, the subject or the approach, there are very few of us who haven’t spent a frustrated evening attempting to cajole our youngsters into completing their assigned tasks.
In order to achieve positive results, it must be remembered that your understanding, approach and attitude to homework is just as important as your child’s.
Understanding
A skewed perception of a parent’s responsibility can lead to strained relations between the parent and the child as well as the parent and the teacher – neither of which has a positive impact on your child’s education.
Understanding the concept behind homework is vital if you hope to eradicate the ill feeling brought about by the designated time in your household –something which most of us know only too well!
Despite what the kids may think, homework isn’t doled out as a punishment, but designed to function as a daily line of communication between the household and the classroom.
Peter Mullan, the Assistant General Secretary of Irish National Teachers Organisation, says homework acts as the most regular link between home and school, and “provides an opportunity for parents or guardians to become involved in children’s school work and see what and how they are doing in school.”
Approach
1. The parent and the child
According to Aine Lynch of the National Parent’s Council, parents must remember they are not expected to exhibit teaching skills when supervising homework, but should instead offer support in the role of parent.
Reinforcing this, Peter insists: “Parental involvement in homework should be conversational - engaging with children about what they are doing, for example. No one expects that a parent should teach or complete homework.”
In essence, helping a child to find their own solutions to the problem is Mum or Dad’s role in this instance.
This means accompanying a child when they approach the teacher or assisting them with online research, not completing a child’s homework on their behalf.
According to Aine, this approach would only hinder a child’s progress in the classroom as the teacher is no longer aware of the pupil’s struggles and will fail to offer the support needed.
Echoing this, Ms. Flynn, a primary school teacher based in Co. Kildare asserts: “I encourage parents to take leadership when it comes to homework - if the child is really struggling, stop them. You don’t want them to lose confidence.”
“Just write a note to the teacher and they can go over the work in class with the child and come up with new strategies to help,” she advises.
Similarly, Aine believes a child’s involvement in the solution is vital and suggests us mums use the situation as an “opportunity to empower the child by developing resilience” during homework struggles.
Excluding your child when discussing the issue only reinforces the notion they are incapable which can ultimately have a detrimental effect on your little one’s confidence.
2. The parent and the school
Homework policies tend to vary between schools, but parents do have the right to contribute to the construction of the policy in order to ensure children benefit from its guidelines
While we know it can be daunting to speak up for fear of offending your child’s teacher or causing tension within the relationship, Ms. Flynn insists this concern has little grounding in reality.
“I absolutely welcome contribution. Homework is assigned to be done under the parent’s supervision, therefore the parent has a major part to play and their opinions and suggestions should be valued.”
Tasks which allow families to engage with each other on a personal level are just as worthy as revision-based assignments, with Ms. Flynn asserting: “It is often in children’s heads that the school building is the place where you learn. I think assignments like ‘A Day in the Life of Dad’ really helps them to see that you can lean and be creative anywhere.”
“When there is a personal attachment to a subject matter, children relate to it which often results in a high standard of work,” she explains.
Attitude
Regardless, however, of the tasks assigned, Mum and Dad’s attitude to homework must be consistent.
Both Aine and Peter insist that positive reinforcement is paramount if you want your child to place value on education and cultivate the capability to learn independently.
Remember, you are not required to slip into the role of child or teacher, but simply encouraged to use the time in order to praise your child, offer practical solutions and foster independent learning.
Homework shouldn’t cause undue stress, but be used as an opportunity to engage with your child and promote practical problem solving skills while keeping abreast of potential pitfalls!
