Is your child a dedicated student? Does he report to his desk all by himself with pens and pencils, ready to get to work? Does she complete her assigned work efficiently and independently?  No? Well take heart because you are most certainly not alone. 

            For many parents, getting their child to complete their homework is a daily tug of war, full of reluctant puffing, complaints, cajoling, pep talks, exasperation, threats, and so on. 

            To help bring you the most effective tips and strategies for navigating homework time, etcetera attended “Homework Time Made Easy,” a workshop presented at the 49^th Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) and presented by educational psychologist Dr. Rasha Mashmoushi. 

1. Establish a Daily Routine and Create a Positive Workspace

            One of the first guidelines Dr. Mashmoushi gave was that parents should try to have their children start working on homework at the same time and in the same place every day. This disciplined approach helps foster healthy studying habits as well as time management and organization skills. 

            Mashmoushi also recommended creating a positive workspace. Ideally, this area would have a desk, a chair, and supplies the child needs to work (pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, and calculators). The workspace should also be well lit, quiet, and as free of distractions as possible. 

2. It All Starts with a Plan! 

            According to Mashmoushi, a plan of action with a timeline and clear objectives can make an enormous difference. The first step towards such a plan is to list all assignments on an agenda or a whiteboard. 

            Together, parents and children should then “estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment and agree on sessions and breaks,” Mashmoushi advises. It is important here to take a child’s abilities into account. “At first, they may be able to concentrate for only ten minutes, then later they might manage thirty-minute sessions,” Mashmoushi says. 

            Then, decide which tasks to tackle first. “Some children prefer to get the homework they dislike out of the way first,” Mashmoushi points out, “while others prefer to do easier homework first in order to get on a roll.” 

            It’s important to celebrate progress, so Mashmoushi recommends making a point of checking each completed task off the to-do list for the day. 

            Well drawn plans are even more important for long-term multi-task assignments. “Say an eighth grader has a biology report due in three weeks,” Mashmoushi illustrates, “discuss with the child all the steps she needs to take to complete that huge task in time: selecting a topic, doing the research by looking up books and other materials on the topic and taking notes, figuring out what questions to discuss, drafting an outline, writing a rough draft, revising and completing the final draft.” 

            Then, the student can set a reasonable timeline for completing each of those smaller tasks. In this way, even the most challenging assignments can be made manageable.

3. Stay Positive                        

            For Mashmoushi, a parent’s attitude towards homework can quickly affect a child’s. “Treat homework as a positive experience and show an interest in your child’s assignments,” she urges parents, adding, “you can also help by relating the skills your child is acquiring to things you personally do as an adult or by explaining how those skills increase their knowledge.” 

4. Monitor and Guide From the Sidelines

            As children are completing homework, parents can check if they understand what they are supposed to do and how to do it. However, under no circumstances should parents take over the homework process. “When your child asks for help, provide guidance not answers!” Mashmoushi stresses. 

            Mashmoushi also states that it is crucial to monitor the child’s comfort level. “Watch your child for signs of failure or frustration,” Mashmoushi urges, adding, “If they are having trouble focusing on an assignment, let them take a short break.” 

5. Finish with Flair 

            “Have your children proofread their work and check how well they managed to meet the purpose of their assignments,” Mashmoushi recommends, “after that, have your children deposit their completed work in a specified drop spot.” Moreover, to avoid the morning rush, Mashmoushi asks parents to have their children place all the appropriate books and materials in their backpacks the night before. 

            Following those simple, effective tips can make homework time a much more positive experience not just for students but also for their parents as well! 

Dr Rasha Mashmoushi is a Senior Educational Psychologist at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. She has a Masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Bristol and received her Doctorate, also in Educational Psychology, from the University of Nottingham.