Homework Hygiene: Make The Most Of Your Homework Routine
We’re about two months into the school year and that means, more than likely, your child has
already brought home unfinished classroom work or assignments.
While your child may not love doing homework, it will always be a part of their education so it’s
best to establish solid study routines early one. The routine nature of habits is part of what
makes them so effective. Creating healthy homework habits will set them up for success now
and in the future.
Create a Homework Zone:
Try to find a space that is away from the television, other family members (if possible) and any
other distractions. This includes having all the materials they need readily available so they
aren’t stepping away from their homework to try to locate a calculator or pen.
Schedule a Regular Time:
This time will differ depending on your child. Some will be ready to hit the homework right after
school while others need downtime and a snack or dinner to recharge. Also, plan out time on
weekends if there is a larger project that needs to be completed.
Block Out Their Time:
Teach your children to manage their time by breaking up the work into chunks. Some children
prefer to take a break only after a task is completed while others will do better by working in
specific time intervals (if this is the case, you can set a timer).
Start Smart
Have your kids start with the homework item they least want to do. This gets it out of the way while they
are still feeling ‘fresh’ which means it will less likely be a struggle to motivate them later on.
Keep In Communication
Learn what your child’s teacher has in place for homework policies and what to do if your child is
having difficulties finishing assignments at home (Should you call? Send an email?).
Be a Motivator
You shouldn’t do your child’s homework for them but you can absolutely be there to talk it
through with them and/or go through their notes/textbook together. Make yourself available for
questions and give encouragement when needed. If your child is getting frustrated, take a short
break.
Seek Extra Help
If homework time is always a struggle or you find your child is bringing home more work than
expected because they aren’t finishing assignments in class, you may want to consider a tutor.
Working with a tutor can not only motivate your student but also puts their needs at the center of
the educational process, empowering them to focus and get their work done.
Keeping Students Focused with Homeschooling
Online learning and homeschooling are our new normal, which is why it’s essential to ensure that students have all the tools and resources they need to thrive in a remote learning environment.
As it stands right now, primary students and their parents are choosing between in-class and online learning. Prep Academy Tutors offers online tutoring services and small group tutoring to help students adjust to this new normal.
The reality is that parents are at different comfort levels when it comes to sending their students back to school, and more are turning to learning pods and other homeschooling alternatives to help continue their child’s educational journey.
Addressing the Question of Distractions
Distractions are not exclusive to home learning, as students can get distracted both in-class and at-home. Distractions are everywhere, which is why we provide personalized tutoring services. Our tutors teach students in a way that they will understand and provide them with the tools they need to set and reach their academic goals.
It’s a common misconception that homeschooling or online learning is ineffective due to home distractions. The reality is that all students learn differently, and many can thrive learning in a more flexible, remote environment.
Common Distractions
While there are distractions everywhere, the home does pose some unique distractions for students. The good news is that, with the help of parents, teachers, and tutors, students can learn to focus and stay on task despite these environmental factors.
Some of the common distraction’s students experience learning from home include:
Electronics: Students have more access to technology when learning at home. It’s important to monitor access to technology and set boundaries.
People: Having everyone at home —parents, grandparents, and siblings alike — can distract students who want to spend time with their family or find it hard to focus when others are around.
Procrastination: When students procrastinate, even leaving a room to get a glass of water can be a distraction. When procrastinating, students will use everything as a reason not to tackle the task at hand
Noise: While some students may learn well with background noise, others can get distracted by noise from the television, room chatter, or general bustling. Consider the ways you can accommodate for the noise level that your student requires to be productive.
Limiting Your Student’s Distractions
The good news is that long time homeschooled students, and remote workers alike, have learned how to best combat the common distractions experienced at home to maximize their productivity.
With the right tools, students can thrive by learning at home. A CCHE study revealed that homeschooled students score 15 to 30 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
Technology Limitations:
Technology is becoming essential to students’ everyday learning due to the new normal of online education. That said, being on the computer can cause a student’s attention to waver.
The good news is that there are a few ways you can limit this distraction. Depending on how your student learns best, you can either block certain websites for specific periods or allot break times so that your child can look forward to 10 to 15 minutes of free time on the internet at certain hours.
It is up to you how you limit your child’s internet usage. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, so work with your child to identify the most effective solution for them.
Setting Break Times:
According to Edutopia, breaks can help to improve your child’s focus. A 2016 study revealed that while young students struggled to stay on task, shorter lessons kept their attention high. Ultimately, students can focus better during shorter pieces of time offset by breaks.
Establish Set Working Hours:
A lack of structure can be distracting and make it hard for students to focus on a task. Allotting specific hours to work can help students better focus, as they will know to dedicate the time to schoolwork.
Setting this schedule can also help other family members to better plan their routines.
Establish a Workplace Set-Up:
One of the best ways to prepare your student for online learning and uninterrupted homeschooling is to ensure they have everything they need at their desk.
Consistently leaving a work area to find resources like textbooks, calculators, or water, can be distracting and hard for students to sit and dive into their work. Establish a workstation away from common areas with all the resources your student needs to work and be productive.
Private Tutoring:
The adjustment to what education and learning are looking like in our new normal can be daunting and, in many ways, distracting for students.
Working with a private tutor like Prep Academy Tutors can help provide your student with the resources they need to fill in any gaps in their knowledge, form good habits for learning at home, and help them better adjust.
We offer flexible and personalized tutoring that caters to the needs of your student. We like to act as a smart friend who can relate with your student and explain things in a way they will understand.
Prep Academy Tutors Private Tutoring Services
Prep Academy Tutors is your source for professional private tutoring services across Canada. We know that the transition to remote learning is challenging for students, which is why we offer personalized tutoring services to ensure that every student is getting the tools and resources they need to succeed academically and maintain confidence in their abilities.
Remote learning offers ample flexibility. Our tutors work with your schedule to ensure that your student is getting the educational support they need when they need it — including tools to adapt to our new normal.
We accommodate your needs and can provide either online tutoring or small group tutoring based on your schedule. Consider how private tutoring can help your student succeed in a remote online learning or homeschooling environment.
Get in touch with Prep Academy Tutors today to get paired with any of our experienced tutors. Our tutors are certified teachers and subject matter specialists who teach based on the current curriculum.