The best way to help your child succeed in school is to expect them to do the work. Homework can be difficult and if you have it every day it can be hard to stay motivated to complete it. However it is your job as a parent to expect your child todo the work and learn the material. Research has shown that expecting them to complete the work is as important as helping them with it.  

Almost every child has told their parents that they do not have homework when they really do. Kids get tired and tired of the routine but the routine is important. It is not that kids are telling lies all of the time (but it happens) but they do forget or they do get distracted. By setting a time for homework the kids will get in the routine of completing it. If they tell you that they do not have homework then expect them to read for the appropriate time frame for their age.If they have to read or do homework at the same time each night, if they have homework they will learn to do it since they have to dedicate time to it anyways. If they truly do not have homework, then they become better students by spending that time reading. 

Almost every student has told the teacher that they could not complete the homework because they did not have paper or pencils at home. Sometimes they don’t. It is your job to make sure they have what they need todo their work. At the back to school sale buy supplies for school AND home. Buy pencils, pens, notebook paper, and other basic supplies that will help your child have what they need to get the work done at HOME. 

Some kids need a desk or a table. Some kids like to lay in the floor or sit on the bed. No matter how the kids work, they need a place todo it. Listening to music can be helpful but watching TV is typically too distracting. Provide a place in the house where the child can go and be comfortable and they can focus on their work. Make sure the work is being done if they work on it in those spaces. If it is not working try another place in the house. 

What some kids think is “done” is not always done. Check to make sure your child’s homework assignments are actually complete. Make sure that they have taken the time to write neatly, follow the directions, and do what is required of them. It does not good for the child to attempt the homework if they do not complete it or if they do not follow directions.  

If the child is doing homework and you are spending time helping them have what they need to do it then it ought to count for something. Not all homework gets graded but check your student’s grade regularly to determine if what you are both doing is working.  

Most teachers can tell you that completing the work is not the biggest problem. Many kids do the work and many parents check it but it does not always make it into the grading stack. Have a place for completed homework togo before the child leaves for school. It can be a folder, a special place in the notebook or backpack but it needs to be consistent so that the work being done always counts. It cannot be graded if it does not get turned in. Most children who miss assignments do not miss them because it wasn’t done but because it never made it to the teacher. 

Today’s students are working at a high academic level. It is understandable if you do not understand how teachers are teaching or students are learning. Teachers are professional and have the training todo their job. Ask them to help yo understand how they are teaching and what they expect from the homework. Also understand that every teacher is different and so talk to each one about their expectations. They are their to  help and they want your child to be successful. They will be glad you asked. 

You can find anything on Google but that is not always the best way to look for certain information. Have a dictionary on hand for your children. Have other websites for math and science formulas available. If the teacher allows it make sure you have a calculator. Kids need supplies but they also need these books and resources (like a periodic table for older kids) around to access information without going online. Check thrift stores and garage sales for reference books. Some may be outdated but most have information that does not change. (except for Pluto no longer being a planet!)

Your kids should be doing their homework because it is what they are supposed todo.However, if they are doing the work give them a reward. It can be as simple as a treat for turning in all of their homework. If they hand in their homework all of the time perhaps reward them for good grades on their homework. If they struggle to either do the homework or get it turned in, reward them when they are consistent for a week or two. We all need an incentive sometimes.