My child is rushing through their homework. What should I do?

One way to prevent your child from rushing through their homework is to sit down with them and make sure the instructions are clear. Here are a few suggestions for things you can say and questions you can ask:

• Do you understand what you have to hand in tomorrow?
• Can you tell me in your own words what today’s tasks are?
• Do you have all the materials and books you need to do your homework?
• I know you can do it, but let me know if you need any help. I am here for you.
• Taking the time to do things right will help you for the rest of your life!
• Etc.

As you know, creating an environment conducive to learning will help make homework time a breeze. Here are a few suggestions that will help you create a fun, positive atmosphere:

• Encourage your child to boost their motivation
• Make sure they have all the study materials they need and that they have a clear routine
• Give your child options. For example, you could ask: Which assignment do you want to do first? Would you rather work sitting or standing up? Do you want to practise French spelling using the Magimot game or the interactive spelling exercise? Do you want to practice math by playing Fin Lapin or Météormath? Would you rather play before or after you do your homework? Etc.
• Make sure their study area is quiet and free of distractions
• Create a comfortable environment
• Make sure there is sufficient lighting
• If your child seems to work better with soft instrumental music playing in the background, make sure the volume is not too loud
• Offer them a snack before they start working
• If your child is having a hard time understanding a concept, work together to find an explanation by browsing the Alloprof website, watching a video on the Alloprof YouTube channel, asking a teacher, or asking a question in the Help Zone
• Etc.

It is important to adapt your child’s homework routine to their attention span and energy levels. For example, some kids find it easier to focus in the morning. If that rings true for you, your child might prefer waking up 15 minutes earlier to do their homework before school in the morning.

Breaking down homework time involves splitting tasks into bite-sized steps. For example, instead of working for 60 minutes non-stop, divide things into three 20-minute blocks or four 15-minute blocks with small breaks in between. Every time your child completes a task, they will gain confidence in their abilities!

The amount of time a child spends on their homework should also be tailored to their grade level. At the beginning of elementary school, their homework assignments will be short and spaced out, gradually getting longer throughout their academic journey.

If your child is rushing through their homework, it could be due to a lack of interest. Reminding them that doing their homework is important can be helpful. For example, you can help your child make connections between everyday life and the task at hand. Here are a few good reasons to do homework:

• It helps improve autonomy
• It helps students develop a work method
• It expands on work done in class
• It helps students become more responsible
• It consolidates learning
• Etc.

To help your child become more confident in their abilities and underscore their efforts, focusing on the positives is always a good idea. Here are a few examples of how to do this:

• Show your child how happy you are whenever they remember to bring all of the materials they need home at the end of the school day.
• Tell them how proud you are of their progress.
• Create small rituals such as a cool dance or a special kind of high-five to celebrate accomplishing a task or learning a concept.
• Downplay your child’s mistakes by focusing on their efforts more than the result.
• Slip words of encouragement into their lunchbox.
• Reward your child when they demonstrate good behaviour (such as independence, perseverance, or a positive attitude) during homework and study time. The reward can be chosen in advance by your child.
• Etc.