More Home, Less Work

More Home, Less Work

Zipora Schuck

Q: Why did the boy eat his homework?

A: His teacher told him it was a piece of cake.

It’s back-to-school season, and that means school supplies, meeting new teachers, and everyone’s favorite — homework!

If last year’s homework situation in your home could best be described as tense, stressful, or excruciating, don’t despair. There is hope! We can change the experience for both parents and children by changing our homework paradigm and practices.

Homework is meant to be a review of new materials learned, or additional practice to strengthen a skill or concept, and often gives parents a glimpse into their child’s academic life — the easy parts — and the struggles.

Adding in a layer of life skills can make this an opportunity to help children with time management, planning, prioritizing, task initiation and completion, problem- solving, and communication. Knowing homework time is teaching children valuable adult skills needed in the real world can help parents feel more invested in making this work.