HOW TO ORGANISE AFTERSCHOOL HOMEWORK TIME

Article by : www.ehow.com

For most parents, homework time is a source of stress, for both the adults and the children. Or, maybe there isn't even a "homework time" in place in your household, which means that this article is for you. Follow these simple steps to creating a productive and (relatively) stress-free homework time at your house.

1. Designate a set homework time that becomes part of the daily afterschool routine in your home. For most kids, especially elementary-age children, immediately after school is the best time to do homework, before their batteries completely run out of power. Homework must come before anything else, including, but not limited to, TV, computer, video games, bike riding or play time with siblings and friends. In fact, don't stop at what the kids want to do instead of homework. Make homework the priority even above chores.

2. Determine a set homework location. For older kids, or even for elementary-age children who require less adult supervision or assistance, the best place for doing homework might be their bedroom, at a desk. Most young children need a hard writing surface to write legibly. If your child is old enough to be in his room doing homework and does not have a desk, now might be the time to invest in one. This also sends a message that homework is important enough to add the needed components to a room. If your kids are younger and require regular help while they are doing their homework, designate spots around the kitchen or dining room table--places that are easily accessible by you, but roomy enough so that they have enough room to spread out their stuff. If you have a counter bar, and more than two kids, put one or two at the table and one or two at the kitchen counter.

3. Eliminate distractions to create a homework-friendly atmosphere. There should be no TVs or other video games on or audible in the room where your children are concentrating on homework. It is impossible, especially for young children, to engage in reading or writing with the temptation of a favorite TV show running in the background. As a parent, your shows are off limits too. It hardly sends the right message if you have one eye or ear on the TV while your kids are trying to concentrate and possibly seeking your help. Keep the need to hunt around the house for pencils and other often-needed supplies to a minimum. Have paper, pens, dictionaries and rulers in a central location that you or your children can easily access. Tell your children that answering the phone or doorbell is also off-limits during homework time.

4. Have some snacks on hand. Instead of letting your children graze at different times and on several different snacks, get them all seated and then play waiter. Homework should be their only responsibility at the moment. Be sure to plop a drink down also, and do it as soon as they sit down to work. In other words, make it easy for them to sit still.

5. Respect the fact that kids have different paces at which they work in the late afternoon hours. If one finishes quickly, send him to a bedroom or another part of the house to watch TV, play video games, or let him go outside so that the remaining children can finish their work in peace and quiet. Again, the message being sent is that homework is important and everyone has a right to an organized and stress-free environment that is conducive to studying.

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