homework about routines

6 ways to establish a productive homework routine

Assistant Professor of College Learning Strategies and Instruction, Syracuse University

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Janine L. Nieroda-Madden does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Homework. Whether you’re a fifth-grader or a freshman in college, the mere thought of homework can be overwhelming. And actually doing homework can be quite difficult. But homework doesn’t have to be something a student dreads.

As a former high school English teacher and researcher who specializes in what it takes to make it through college – and a co-author of a forthcoming revised edition of a book about academic success – I’ve studied homework since 2010. Here are six ways I believe homework can be made more manageable and valuable, whether you’re in elementary school, high school or graduate school.

1. Set priorities

Establish a list of priorities based on the class syllabus or assignment list. This can be helpful for tackling difficult tasks, creating motivation and activating your sense of control and independence when it comes to learning. The priority list helps maintain goals and gives you a sense satisfaction to cross things off the list as they are completed.

2. Tackle difficult tasks first

Start with your most difficult assignments first in order to make the most of your energy level and to focus at the beginning of a work session. You can attend to the easier or less time-consuming assignments at the end of a work session.

3. Break tasks down to smaller steps

You may not know how to start a major task, which could trigger procrastination or feelings of defeat. To guard against this, break major tasks into three or four smaller steps. Within one homework session, you can feel a greater sense of accomplishment by completing each small step toward the larger whole. In some cases, you might be able to spread these tasks over the course of a week.

4. Create evidence of learning

You will get more out of the time you spend reading, reviewing notes or otherwise “studying” if you create something in the process. For example, creating flash cards, a graphic organizer, chart, or notes with bullet points can help you become an active learner rather than a passive one. Organize the tools you create with the homework assignment by date and topic so that you can review those items to prepare for quizzes, tests or projects.

5. Build a network of support

If certain homework problems could not be solved and you’re stuck in a rut, figure out what’s confusing you and write or record your thoughts. Jot questions down and be as specific as possible in order to seek out additional support from teachers or tutors. The more you can identify sources of confusion, the more you can proactively reach out to your support network – teachers, tutors and others – in order to get additional help.

6. Revisit goals and set new ones

At the start of each homework session, establish goals for completion of your tasks or assignments. Revisit the goals at the end of the session and acknowledge a sense of completion. This goal-setting process builds confidence over time and helps you realize their potential even when faced with difficulties. A productive homework routine will help you realize that learning is an ongoing journey. The journey may be difficult but getting organized will make it as stress-free as possible.

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Strategies to make homework go more smoothly.

Routines and incentive systems to help kids succeed

Writer: Peg Dawson, EdD, NCSP

Clinical Experts: Peg Dawson, EdD, NCSP , Karol Espejo, LCSW

Here is the best guide to helping kids do homework successfully that we’ve seen, published by the National Association of School Psychologists on their website, NASPonline.org . Our thanks to NASP for sharing it with us.

There are two key strategies parents can draw on to reduce homework hassles. The first is to establish clear routines around homework, including when and where homework gets done and setting up daily schedules for homework. The second is to build in rewards or incentives to use with children for whom “good grades” is not a sufficient reward for doing homework.

Homework Routines

Tasks are easiest to accomplish when tied to specific routines. By establishing daily routines for homework completion, you will not only make homework go more smoothly, but you will also be fostering a sense of order your child can apply to later life, including college and work.

Step 1. Find a location in the house where homework will be done. The right location will depend on your child and the culture of your family. Some children do best at a desk in their bedroom. It is a quiet location, away from the hubbub of family noise. Other children become too distracted by the things they keep in their bedroom and do better at a place removed from those distractions, like the dining room table. Some children need to work by themselves. Others need to have parents nearby to help keep them on task and to answer questions when problems arise. Ask your child where the best place is to work. Both you and your child need to discuss pros and cons of different settings to arrive at a mutually agreed upon location.

Step 2. Set up a homework center. Once you and your child have identified a location, fix it up as a home office/homework center. Make sure there is a clear workspace large enough to set out all the materials necessary for completing assignments. Outfit the homework center with the kinds of supplies your child is most likely to need, such as pencils, pens, colored markers, rulers, scissors, a dictionary and thesaurus, graph paper, construction paper, glue and cellophane tape, lined paper, a calculator, spell checker, and, depending on the age and needs of your child, a computer or laptop. If the homework center is a place that will be used for other things (such as the dining room table), then your child can keep the supplies in a portable crate or bin. If possible, the homework center should include a bulletin board that can hold a monthly calendar on which your child can keep track of longterm assignments. Allowing children some leeway in decorating the homework center can help them feel at home there, but you should be careful that it does not become too cluttered with distracting materials.

Step 3. Establish a homework time. Your child should get in the habit of doing homework at the same time every day. The time may vary depending on the individual child. Some children need a break right after school to get some exercise and have a snack. Others need to start homework while they are still in a school mode (i.e., right after school when there is still some momentum left from getting through the day). In general, it may be best to get homework done either before dinner or as early in the evening as the child can tolerate. The later it gets, the more tired the child becomes and the more slowly the homework gets done.

Step 4. Establish a daily homework schedule. In general, at least into middle school, the homework session should begin with your sitting down with your child and drawing up a homework schedule. You should review all the assignments and make sure your child understands them and has all the necessary materials. Ask your child to estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment. Then ask when each assignment will get started. If your child needs help with any assignment , then this should be determined at the beginning so that the start times can take into account parent availability. A Daily Homework Planner is included at the end of this handout and contains a place for identifying when breaks may be taken and what rewards may be earned.

Incentive Systems

Many children who are not motivated by the enjoyment of doing homework are motivated by the high grade they hope to earn as a result of doing a quality job. Thus, the grade is an incentive, motivating the child to do homework with care and in a timely manner. For children who are not motivated by grades, parents will need to look for other rewards to help them get through their nightly chores. Incentive systems fall into two categories: simple and elaborate.

Simple incentive systems. The simplest incentive system is reminding the child of a fun activity to do when homework is done. It may be a favorite television show, a chance to spend some time with a video or computer game, talking on the telephone or instant messaging, or playing a game with a parent. This system of withholding fun things until the drudgery is over is sometimes called Grandma’s Law because grandmothers often use it quite effectively (“First take out the trash, then you can have chocolate chip cookies.”). Having something to look forward to can be a powerful incentive to get the hard work done. When parents remind children of this as they sit down at their desks they may be able to spark the engine that drives the child to stick with the work until it is done.

Elaborate incentive systems. These involve more planning and more work on the part of parents but in some cases are necessary to address more significant homework problems. More complex incentives systems might include a structure for earning points that could be used to “purchase” privileges or rewards or a system that provides greater reward for accomplishing more difficult homework tasks. These systems work best when parents and children together develop them. Giving children input gives them a sense of control and ownership, making the system more likely to succeed. We have found that children are generally realistic in setting goals and deciding on rewards and penalties when they are involved in the decision-making process.

Building in breaks. These are good for the child who cannot quite make it to the end without a small reward en route. When creating the daily homework schedule, it may be useful with these children to identify when they will take their breaks. Some children prefer to take breaks at specific time intervals (every 15 minutes), while others do better when the breaks occur after they finish an activity. If you use this approach, you should discuss with your child how long the breaks will last and what will be done during the breaks (get a snack, call a friend, play one level on a video game). The Daily Homework Planner includes sections where breaks and end-of-homework rewards can be identified.

Building in choice. This can be an effective strategy for parents to use with children who resist homework. Choice can be incorporated into both the order in which the child agrees to complete assignments and the schedule they will follow to get the work done. Building in choice not only helps motivate children but can also reduce power struggles between parents and children.

Developing Incentive Systems

Step 1. Describe the problem behaviors. Parents and children decide which behaviors are causing problems at homework time. For some children putting homework off to the last minute is the problem; for others, it is forgetting materials or neglecting to write down assignments. Still others rush through their work and make careless mistakes, while others dawdle over assignments, taking hours to complete what should take only a few minutes. It is important to be as specific as possible when describing the problem behaviors. The problem behavior should be described as behaviors that can be seen or heard; for instance, complains about h omework or rushes through homework, making many mistakes are better descriptors than has a bad attitude or is lazy.

Step 2. Set a goal. Usually the goal relates directly to the problem behavior. For instance, if not writing down assignments is the problem, the goal might be: “Joe will write down his assignments in his assignment book for every class.”

Step 3. Decide on possible rewards and penalties. Homework incentive systems work best when children have a menu of rewards to choose from, since no single reward will be attractive for long. We recommend a point system in which points can be earned for the goal behaviors and traded in for the reward the child wants to earn. The bigger the reward, the more points the child will need to earn it. The menu should include both larger, more expensive rewards that may take a week or a month to earn and smaller, inexpensive rewards that can be earned daily. It may also be necessary to build penalties into the system. This is usually the loss of a privilege (such as the chance to watch a favorite TV show or the chance to talk on the telephone to a friend).

Once the system is up and running, and if you find your child is earning more penalties than rewards, then the program needs to be revised so that your child can be more successful. Usually when this kind of system fails, we think of it as a design failure rather than the failure of the child to respond to rewards. It may be a good idea if you are having difficulty designing a system that works to consult a specialist, such as a school psychologist or counselor, for assistance.

Step 4. Write a homework contract. The contract should say exactly what the child agrees to do and exactly what the parents’ roles and responsibilities will be. When the contract is in place, it should reduce some of the tension parents and kids often experience around homework. For instance, if part of the contract is that the child will earn a point for not complaining about homework, then if the child does complain, this should not be cause for a battle between parent and child: the child simply does not earn that point. Parents should also be sure to praise their children for following the contract. It will be important for parents to agree to a contract they can live with; that is, avoiding penalties they are either unable or unwilling to impose (e.g., if both parents work and are not at home, they cannot monitor whether a child is beginning homework right after school, so an alternative contract may need to be written).

We have found that it is a rare incentive system that works the first time. Parents should expect to try it out and redesign it to work the kinks out. Eventually, once the child is used to doing the behaviors specified in the contract, the contract can be rewritten to work on another problem behavior. Your child over time may be willing to drop the use of an incentive system altogether. This is often a long-term goal, however, and you should be ready to write a new contract if your child slips back to bad habits once a system is dropped.

Click here to download the homework planner and incentive sheet .

Frequently Asked Questions

To help homework go more smoothly, e stablish a routine that includes a time and place where it will be done, a planner that lists each assignment, scheduled breaks when some of the work is done, and a reward system for kids who are not motivated by good grades alone.  

Set a good homework routine following these steps: Find a location in the house where homework will be done. Set up a homework center stocked with needed materials . Establish a homework time. Use a daily homework planner so that your child has everything in writing.  

One tool that can make homework go more smoothly i s a Daily Homework Planner , which lists each assignment, how long it should take to complete, and what rewards may be earned for completing each assignment.    

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6 ways to establish a productive homework routine

by: Janine L. Nieroda-Madden | Updated: December 9, 2019

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Homework. Whether you’re a fifth grader or a freshman in college, the mere thought of homework can be overwhelming. And actually doing homework can be quite difficult. But homework doesn’t have to be something your child dreads.

As a former high school English teacher and researcher who specializes in what it takes to make it through college — and a co-author of a forthcoming revised edition of a book about academic success — I’ve studied homework since 2010. Here are six ways I believe homework can be made more manageable and valuable, whether your child is in elementary school, middle school, high school, or graduate school.

Set priorities

Tackle difficult tasks first, break tasks down to smaller steps, create evidence of learning, build a network of support, revisit goals and set new ones.

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Two Ws and an H: Establishing a Homework Routine

Tired of disorganization when it comes to your child’s homework routine learn how answering “when where and how” can help create an after school routine that includes doing homework for the same time each day, steering clear of electronics, and more..

Back to school means back to homework. It may also mean arguments, tears, and frustration, because homework demands more discipline and consistency than many children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (or any kids, for that matter!) can muster. But you can make it easier by creating a homework routine built around three key questions: When? Where? and How?

• Schedule homework for a set time each day. Base this after school routine on your child’s temperament. Perhaps he’s at his best right after school, or maybe after an hour of downtime. Avoid late evening, which for most children is meltdown time.
• Be consistent from day to day. If after-school activities make that impossible, post a daily plan or weekly calendar in your kitchen that includes homework start and finish times each day.
• Schedule enough time to complete assignments without rushing, based on your child’s grade level and history of completing assignments.
• Give advance notice of homework time. This is important, because kids with ADHD/ADD don’t easily shift from one activity to another — especially from fun time to work time. You might say, “You can play for 15 more minutes, then come in for homework.”

[ Free ADHD Resource: Solve Your Child’s Homework Problems ]

• Help your child select a homework place. Try the kitchen table, where she can spread out materials. Or perhaps your child would like to sit at a desk in the quiet den.
• Steer clear of proximity to electronics (TV, CD player). But if your child concentrates best with soft noise, try some gentle background music.
• Stay nearby (if possible).  Kids with ADHD concentrate better when they know you’re close by. If your child needs to use the bathroom, remind him to come right back afterward. After he leaves the bathroom, remind him to return to his work.
• Set up rules. Draft and print a sheet that specifies: homework start and finish times; place; when and how long breaks are; and that you will be nearby to help her understand assignments, get organized, offer support — but not do the homework for her. Avoid arguments — calmly refer her to the Homework Rules.

[ Free Sample Schedules for Reliable Family Routines ]

• Help him start. Make sure your child knows what the assignment is and how to proceed. Offer assistance that matches his learning style. For a verbal processor, read directions to him or have him read them out loud; for a visual learner, show him how to use highlighters and colored markers to outline key words and sentences.
• Keep him going. If your child tries to stop before he’s finished, encourage him to go on a bit longer, and remind him there’ll be a break soon.
• Give her a break. Kids with ADHD and LD may become fatigued due to distractibility, challenges to concentrating, frustration, and restlessness. Help your child recharge by scheduling frequent, short breaks.
• Check in at the finish. Review your child’s work to see if it is complete. If your child consistently takes more time than she should, speak to her teacher to see if he’s willing to adjust the amount of homework.
• Offer praise. Compliment your child when he stays on task, works with focus, is creative, and so on. Be specific. Say, for example, “I like the way you concentrated on that problem and stuck with it until you solved it.” Give him an acknowledging pat or a squeeze mid-homework, too.
• Give rewards. It’s OK to offer a “prize” to motivate. For a younger child, try extra playtime, a favorite snack or game, or a special read-aloud; for an older child, a favorite TV program, computer time, or phone time.
• Stick with it. A new homework routine is part of a daily schedule and requires solid commitment. It takes one to three months for a routine to become a habit — even longer for a person with ADHD. But the payoff is discipline, self-control, and success-building skills.

[ Read: 12 Schoolwork Shortcuts for Kids Who Hate Homework ]

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Creating Effective Homework Routines for Kids

Learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. It extends to the house, with homework being a critical aspect.

As parents, encouraging kids to sit down and focus on their assignments is often a challenge. But what if I told you that creating an effective homework routine could be your game-changer?

Understanding the Importance of Homework

Homework is more than just an afterthought of the school day. It plays a vital role in your child’s educational journey.

Developing Discipline and Time Management Skills

• Homework is a tool for teaching important life skills like discipline and time management, extending its significance beyond academic learning.
• Children learn to plan and manage their time effectively as they must evaluate task complexity, estimate the time required, and prioritize activities for timely homework completion.
• Regular homework routines foster discipline in children, helping them resist short-term temptations and focus on long-term academic goals, a skill that finds application in many life situations later.

The simple act of doing homework inculcates many skills in children, most notably discipline and time management. At first glance, it may seem that homework only pertains to academics. However, on a deeper level, it is a tool for teaching children crucial life skills that transcend the classroom walls.

Let’s imagine a scenario where your child has a math worksheet to complete before the next school day. In order to complete it on time, they must plan their activities, prioritizing and allocating time effectively. This requires them to exercise judgment, evaluate the task’s complexity, and estimate the time required to complete it. These actions implicitly train children in the arts of planning and time management.

Furthermore, having a regular homework routine instills discipline. This discipline is born out of the necessity to adhere to the routine regardless of their momentary desires. The child learns to resist the temptation of instant gratification, like watching TV or playing, to focus on their long-term academic goals. This self-discipline, once nurtured, proves valuable in many life scenarios, be it adhering to fitness routines or meeting project deadlines in their future professional life.

Enhancing Academic Performance

• Homework is crucial in enhancing academic performance, bridging the gap between classroom teaching and at-home understanding by allowing children to review and practice concepts at their own pace.
• Practical homework assignments enable children to witness theoretical concepts in action, such as observing plant growth to understand photosynthesis, which reinforces their theoretical understanding and improves their subject grasp.
• Regular homework helps counteract the ‘forgetting curve’ by forcing children to review and rehearse their lessons periodically, which aids in better knowledge retention.
• Diligently completing homework prepares children for future lessons, as they can comprehend new, related topics more quickly due to a solid foundation already laid by previous homework tasks.

Homework plays a central role in enhancing academic performance by fortifying the learning process. It acts as a bridge between the knowledge imparted in the classroom and the understanding developed at home. When children review and practice concepts through homework, they are essentially revisiting the school’s lessons but at their own pace and in their own space.

For instance, a science lesson on photosynthesis might seem abstract in the classroom, but when a child is given a project to observe and document the growth of a plant at home, they witness the concept coming to life. They see how sunlight, water, and air help a plant to grow. The experience reinforces their theoretical understanding, thereby improving their grasp of the subject.

Regular homework also helps in retention of knowledge. The ‘forgetting curve’ theory proposed by Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist, suggests that information is lost over time when there’s no attempt to retain it. Homework counteracts this effect by making children review and rehearse their lessons periodically, thereby helping them retain knowledge better.

Moreover, doing homework regularly can prepare children for upcoming classes. When a new but related topic is introduced, children who have diligently done their homework are likely to comprehend the new concept quicker as they have already laid a solid foundation.

The Role of Parents in Homework Routine

An effective homework routine is like a blueprint to your child’s success. It not only streamlines the homework process but also plays a significant role in improving time management skills, fostering discipline, and reducing stress.

Creating a homework routine is more than just setting a timetable. It involves understanding your child’s needs, identifying their productive hours, and ensuring a conducive environment for focused work. Here’s how you can build an effective homework routine:

• Understanding your child’s unique needs, learning style, and work pace is pivotal in developing an effective homework routine that caters to their individual requirements.
• Identifying your child’s most productive hours helps schedule their homework time for optimal focus and efficiency.
• Creating a conducive and distraction-free environment for homework, complete with all necessary materials, aids in promoting focused and effective study sessions.
• Setting clear expectations for homework, breaking down large tasks into manageable ones, and encouraging regular breaks can help reduce stress and keep your child motivated.
• Incorporating reward systems and guiding rather than dictating fosters a sense of responsibility and independence while promoting a positive homework culture through appreciation and constructive feedback can transform your child’s perspective on homework.

Understand Your Child’s Needs

Every child is unique in terms of their learning style, interests, and pace of working. Some children may work best in a quiet environment, while others may thrive with a bit of background noise.

Understanding these individual preferences can guide you in creating an effective homework routine that caters to your child’s specific needs. Some children are more sensitive than others. Finding how to work with sensitive child challenges can be another barrier.

If you’d like to dive deep into learning styles, please take a look at our article, Understanding Different Learning Styles in Children .

Identify Productive Hours

Children have different peak productivity hours. Some may be more alert and focused right after school, while others might work better after a bit of relaxation time. Pay attention to when your child seems most attentive and energetic, and schedule their homework time accordingly.

Create a Conducive Environment

A suitable environment is crucial for focused and effective homework sessions. This means a quiet, well-lit space free from distractions. Consider creating a dedicated homework station equipped with all necessary materials like pens, pencils, papers, and textbooks. Having everything at hand can minimize distractions and time wastage.

Set Clear Expectations for Homework

It’s important to set clear and realistic expectations about homework. This includes the amount of time to be spent on homework, the level of effort required, and the importance of timely submission. Regularly review these expectations and adjust them based on your child’s academic progress and other responsibilities.

Break Down Large Tasks

Large or complex homework assignments can seem daunting. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks, and tackle them one at a time. This approach not only makes the work seem more manageable but also gives a sense of accomplishment with each completed task, thus keeping your child motivated.

Encourage Regular Breaks

Even the most focused children need regular breaks to maintain their productivity. Encourage your child to take short breaks after every 20-30 minutes of focused work. These breaks can be used for a quick stretch, a drink of water, or a moment of relaxation before diving back into work.

Incorporate Reward Systems

Lastly, consider implementing a reward system to motivate your child. This doesn’t necessarily mean tangible rewards. Simple praises, words of encouragement, or extra playtime can act as powerful motivators.

In conclusion, an effective homework routine can make homework less stressful and more productive. It requires consistent effort and flexibility, but the benefits in terms of academic performance and skill development make it worth the effort.

The Power of Guidance over Dictation

Instead of dictating what should be done, guide them to be in charge of their learning. This method nurtures a sense of responsibility and independence.

Promoting a Positive Homework Culture

Appreciate their efforts and give constructive feedback. Your positive attitude can transform their perspective on homework.

Building an Effective Homework Routine

A well-designed routine can streamline the homework process.

Designing a Consistent Schedule

Identify a suitable time slot for homework and stick to it. Consistency can foster a habit of doing homework.

Creating a Conducive Learning Environment

Provide a quiet and comfortable space with minimal distractions. This environment can enhance their concentration and productivity.

Tools and Techniques to Make Homework Fun

Homework doesn’t have to be a battle against boredom and monotony. With a little creativity and the right tools, you can make it a fun and engaging experience for your kids. This section explores a few techniques and tools that can help transform your child’s perspective on homework.

Embracing Gamification

Gamification involves integrating elements of game design in non-game contexts, such as homework. This approach can make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable. For example, setting up a point system where kids earn points for completing assignments can introduce a competitive element. Leaderboards that display these points can further fuel this competitive spirit, motivating your child to complete their homework efficiently.

Challenges or quests related to homework topics can make the learning journey an exciting adventure. Rewards, whether they are stars, stickers, or extra playtime, can act as powerful motivators. Through gamification, homework can be seen not just as work, but as an enjoyable game that stimulates learning.

The Power of Educational Apps and Tools

The digital age has provided us with numerous interactive educational apps and tools that can transform the homework process. These platforms can offer interactive and engaging ways for your child to understand and solve problems, making learning much more exciting. For example, apps that offer math problems in the form of puzzles or word games can help children grasp concepts more readily. Reading apps can introduce children to a wide range of books suited to their reading level and interests.

Harnessing Interactive Learning Platforms

Moreover, some digital platforms allow children to learn through videos, animations, and interactive quizzes, thereby catering to various learning styles. These visually engaging tools can be particularly helpful for visual or kinesthetic learners who absorb information best when they see it in action. It can also make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable for children.

Fostering Collaboration Through Digital Tools

Additionally, some apps and websites encourage collaborative learning. Children can work on projects with classmates virtually, exchange ideas, and help each other understand difficult concepts. This not only makes homework more enjoyable but also teaches children about teamwork and collaboration.

Handling Homework Resistance

Identifying the underlying issues.

Resistance can arise from various issues – boredom, difficulty, or lack of understanding. Identifying them can help devise suitable solutions.

Developing Problem-solving Skills

Teach them problem-solving skills. Instead of providing direct answers, guide them to find solutions.

Keeping the Routine Flexible

Adjustments for personal and family time.

Ensure the routine is not rigid. Make room for family time and extracurricular activities.

Addressing Unique Learning Styles and Paces

Recognize that each child is unique. Be ready to customize the routine to suit their learning style and pace.

Wrapping Up Creating Effective Homework Routines for Kids

Establishing an effective homework routine for your children is a multidimensional process that encompasses more than just academics. It’s about nurturing their discipline, boosting time management skills, and fostering a love for learning that transcends the boundaries of the classroom.

Understanding your child’s unique needs and preferences forms the bedrock of this process. With this understanding, you can align their homework schedule with their most productive hours and create an environment conducive to focus and productivity. Remember, it’s not about controlling their routine but rather guiding them to take ownership of their learning journey.

Breaking down tasks, setting realistic expectations, encouraging regular breaks, and incorporating motivational reward systems are key strategies to make homework less overwhelming and more manageable. Furthermore, promoting a positive homework culture where effort is appreciated and feedback is constructive can instill a healthier perspective towards homework in your child.

In essence, homework isn’t just about keeping kids busy after school. Done right, it becomes a tool for instilling crucial life skills, enhancing academic performance, and preparing them for the challenges of the future.

I'm Amber Crow, a mother of three and a coffee enthusiast. This is your one-stop blog for all things family - from educational activities for kids, family finances, to our adventures in camping and hiking. Join me as we navigate the beautiful chaos of family life together. Enjoy your stay!

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October 13, 2022

How to Create a Daily Homework Routine

By Adina Levitt, Instructor

Homework. Often a dreaded task students want to get through as quickly as possible. However, with an intentional and executive function focused approach, homework time can be a more effective and manageable process.

Here are 7 tips students can use to create an effective homework routine:

• Get situated in a quiet, distraction-free space.

As much as students may think otherwise, the human brain does not allow us to multitask well. Removing distractions from the environment provides students with an optimal space where they can fully attend to their work. Encourage them to leave their phone in another room, turn desktop notifications off, close extra tabs, and work in a quiet space with minimal visual distractions to set them up for a successful homework environment.

2. Set a timer.

Our attention spans are finite. As much as a student may think working for 4 hours straight is what they need to do to get that assignment done, our brains need breaks in order to function best. The Pomodoro Technique offers a helpful framework that maximizes productivity and supports executive functions of attention, motivation, decision making, and time management (25 minutes on, 5 minutes off). With an end goal in mind, students can engage in more focused work knowing that a respite is coming.

3. Make an agenda.

It’s homework time, but does your student know where to start? Have them consult their school planner or online school calendar and write down a list of the assignments they want to work on during this homework block. After creating the list, they can assign each task an order of operations. Some factors to consider when prioritizing tasks could be: when it’s due, how many points it’s worth, or the difficulty of the task.

4. Read directions.

Now it’s time to jump in! A thorough approach to doing an assignment involves carefully reading directions to understand expectations. But what does that really mean? Try reading directions aloud, underlining important information, and restating them using different wording. Rubrics also provide helpful guidance on assignment directions; Try turning rubrics into simple checklists to follow while working through a task.

5. Take a break.

When that work timer goes off, it’s time for a well-deserved break. Put 5 minutes on the clock and enjoy! Some break options include a movement break, mindfulness, a music break, or a puzzle break. A walk around the house or a snack break work too! When the timer goes off, set it for another work interval and repeat the timer cycle.

6. Review work.

To avoid careless mistakes, students should review their work by checking that all requirements (found in the directions or in a rubric) were completed. They can read their written responses aloud and redo their math computations as a check. Students can also check in with themselves: “Did I do my best work? Do I feel ready to submit this assignment?”

7. Hit submit.

Students have done amazing work up to this point, now let’s help them get to the finish line! Online assignments need to be submitted (hit that submit button!) and paper assignments need to be placed neatly into backpacks so they make it back to school on time.

BONUS TIP: Once a student has determined a homework routine that works for them, they can create a checklist that serves as a visual reminder and holds them accountable for following each step.

These tips will help students develop an effective homework routine that will strengthen their executive function skills and serve them well throughout their academic career.

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Create Good Homework Habits With This 3-Step Plan

Motivate your child to finish their schoolwork successfully..

If your elementary schooler doesn’t like reading or doing homework without resistance, you’re not alone. 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to spark your child’s interest in learning outside of the classroom. Creating structure in your child’s day with an after-school schedule will help them stay focused and avoid homework fatigue.

Here are tips to help your child use their after-school time well and ease some of the stress you both may be experiencing.

1. Set Up a Schedule 

Agree on a “lights out” time and work backward. Here's a sample homework schedule to help you with your planning. This schedule is designed for a child who dislikes doing homework, so it allows multiple breaks throughout the evening. (It’s worth noting, however, that some children do their best work right after school, when energy levels are still high.)

• 4:00 p.m.  Rest, relax. Kids need space and downtime in their schedules.
• 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.  Sports, art, and other planned activities.
• 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.  Homework time! Have your child do theirs in the kitchen or somewhere close by while dinner is being prepared, so they don’t feel isolated and can ask questions. If your child has a dedicated “homework nook,” be sure to pop in often to see how they’re doing and offer words of encouragement.
• 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Dinner and quality family time.
• 7:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  Homework wrap-up (if needed).
• 8:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Free time! If your family typically watches TV in the evening, you might consider switching on a streaming series or documentary that complements your child’s classroom instruction.
• 8:30 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. Nightly read-aloud! This is the time to get your 20-30 minutes of daily reading in for stronger literacy skills. (Here’s some benefits of reading to your elementary schooler nightly .)

2. Talk to the Teacher 

Your child’s teacher can tell you how much time students should be spending on homework nightly. Generally, students in elementary school should have between 10 and 15 minutes of homework for each grade year. This means a child in 4th grade may have between 40 and 60 minutes of homework a night; often this includes some reading.

Teachers will also have ideas for motivating students who are disinterested in doing homework. When you speak with your child’s teacher, raise any concerns you have about at-home learning, like if your child struggles to do their homework, since these may be signs of a learning disability .

Your child’s teacher will be able to discuss in-class performance, and together the two of you can create a day-to-night plan that promotes your child’s success.

3. Develop the Homework Habit

Once you establish a schedule that works for you and your child — including any limits on TV and tech time — be sure to stick to it. Consistency is key to developing good homework habits.

These are valuable years for teaching your child how to keep schoolwork, play, fitness, and other activities in balance. You’ll be helping them with an important life lesson — and hopefully establishing a little more harmony at home.

Get ready for your child to go back to school with our guide — it's full of recommended books, teacher tips, homework strategies for parents , and more resources for a successful school year. 

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Establishing Healthy Homework Routines

Homework kids don’t usually like it and not so surprisingly, neither do parents.

Posted April 1, 2014

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Some parents do not set clear routines, rules, or expectations when it comes to homework. I call this permissive jellyfish parenting which often leads children down a path of late assignments, poor organization skills, and ineffective time- management skills.

Other parents hover and micromanage their child’s homework. In fact, a study by the Bett Educational Technology Tradeshow found that in one in six families, parents actually do ALL of their child’s homework. I call such “take over” behaviors, authoritarian tiger parenting which causes children to lack self— motivation , creativity , and problem solving. Children of authoritarian tiger parents often develop the inability to complete homework independently.

I encourage parents to be balanced authoritative dolphin parents. Like the dolphin, these parents use role modelling and guiding, to teach behaviors such as homework skills.

Here are a few quick tips from The Dolphin Way about establishing healthy homework routines.

First explain to your child the purpose of homework. Make sure he/she understands that homework is not about getting the answer right, but rather figuring out what you need to learn and what you already know. A major point of homework is to practice skills- so sometimes a wrong answer is ok! Plus, making mistakes instills valuable risk-taking skills, and shows your child that every idea – whether right or wrong – should be respected and thoroughly analyzed.

Children do best when their learning is fun and in the “zone of challenge”—not too easy, not too hard, but challenging enough to encourage problem solving and learning. If you feel your child’s homework does not fall in this category, speak with their teacher.

Allow your child to try their homework first before stepping in. If you do need to step in, help them break down a problem Instead of solving it. You can tell your child “I know it’s easier if I tell you how to do this, but that’s not going to help your learning. Try to spend a few more minutes trying on your own.” If you must, give a clue or small suggestion. As he/she progresses through resolving the problem, say things like “you’re really close” or “I can help you with this, if you try that.”

Encourage your child but do not give them excessive praise. In an experiment that demonstrates fixed vs growth mindsets and the downsides of “empty” praise, young children were asked to solve a simple puzzle, and most did so with little difficulty. But then Dweck told a few, but not all, of the children how very bright and capable they were. As it turns out, the children who weren’t told they’re smart were more motivated to tackle increasingly difficult puzzles. These children showed greater progress and interest in puzzle-solving, while also displaying higher levels of confidence . They enjoyed the thrill of choosing to work simply for its own sake, regardless of the outcome.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, providing non-specific praise for children’s abilities and outcomes seems to rattle their confidence. However, if you stress how a child arrived at an answer and not whether the answer is correct, he or she will be more likely to make the effort, take risks, and try new ways of doing things. For example, if you appreciate the effort your child put into solving a math problem, as opposed to applauding the answer, she’ll be more likely to learn from the experience and try it again.

If frustration ensues, make sure your child recognizes the importance of taking “brain breaks” and restoring balance with their thoughts and ideas. Allow them to get out of their seats, move around and take a stretch; these activities can help your child control their emotions and re-think their solutions to the homework problems they need to solve.

Try to have a regularly scheduled time and place for doing homework. Make sure it is quiet, has plenty of light, and no distractions such as the TV nearby. Equip that space with the basic materials such as a paper, pencils, and erasers.

Homework can be a wonderful thing, but it’s only one of many ways children learn. The best learning is learning that is fun, real life, trial and error, and hands-on—and a lot of that occurs during free-play so make sure your child has enough time to play too!

Shimi Kang, M.D. , is a psychiatrist and the author of The Dolphin Way.

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A Mother Far from Home

Homework Routines That Help Kids Settle Down & Do The Work

🏫  Plan your family’s SCHOOL ROUTINES now!

Are you dreading homework battles? Here are some sure ways to get a happy homework routine. Kids will settle down and finish their work with these tips:

There’s nothing like picking up your beloved kids from school, seeing them smile at all their friends, wave goodbye, then get into the van and start complaining.

Fighting with their siblings.

Melting all the way down.

After school meltdowns are a Real Thing, mama friend.

What makes them worse? Having to get home and then… get them at the table to do homework. For goodness sake, mom life ain’t for the faint of heart. Here are some homework routine ideas that will help set your children up for success.

What's in this post...

Set up a homework routine work area.

A friendly work area can go a long way…

Some kids are better at focusing and getting a job done than others. Some can read a 500 page chapter book in the middle of the floor with barking dogs, yelling kids, the TV on, etc.

On the other hand, some need a space and a place designated for their attention and motivation.

Follow this checklist until your tidy routines become second nature.

The second one is me. So, I get it when kids don’t want to settle down and do homework when there isn’t a “homework safe” place.

• Pick a spot that is designated to do their homework, or a spot that can easily change into their homework spot when necessary (barroom desk, dining room table, corner nook).
• Hang a calendar set up, a jar of pencils, and a pencil sharpener. It doesn’t have to be fancy (although it could be). A homework caddy like this one will make it fun!
• Address the kids when school starts. Say: “I know you’re going to have some homework, let’s make a good spot here so you can do a good job.”
• Keep this area ready for homework after school. Don’t pile it full of other things or push it aside when life gets busy.

Here’s a child approved tip: have a fun/healthy/favorite snack available. Snacks really help!

Eliminate distractions during the homework routine.

This is also a case-by-case situation, but most kids will achieve their homework better when they aren’t distracted.

Being “focused” during homework time is part of a good homework routine. This happens when a child decides that they are going to get their task done without worrying with other things .

Other things like:

• younger siblings demanding attention
• their electronic devices
• what’s for dinner
• people coming & going out of the room

Follow my 3 step system to organize your mornings, afternoons, and evenings to minimize the chaos and micro-managing.

Work before play is the only way.

I talk about this as it relates to transitions. You know, when kids melt down because they have to go from something the love to something they don’t like .

Nobody wants to quit playing outside, put down their game, or come away from the TV to do homework. But, they would enjoy the fact that their homework is completed and now to the reward of ___________.

Flipping the script on “work before play.”

I would never say: “ You don’t get to do anything you want until your homework is done.”

Instead, I would say: ” After you complete your homework, you get to go have fun .”

Flipping the “work before play” script into a positive drives motivation and helps avoid meltdowns.

If kids know that your boundary has been set (AKA I can play after I get my homework done), and you don’t waiver from this, things will go smoother.

Motivate and monitor, but don’t do it for them.

Doing your kids homework for them not only hinders their independence, but also makes them lazy. And yes, parents really do this…

On the other side, some parents struggle with finding the time to help their kids because evenings are so busy.

I recommend something in the middle. This goes back to finding a location for homework that works well with your lifestyle and is right for mom and kids.

• This homework location has to be somewhere where you can motivate your kids when needed. There will be times when they have to be reminded to stay on task, etc.
• It also has to be somewhere where you can swoop in and help if needed. For example, possibly at the kitchen bar while you are dong dinner prep.

Always be prepared to encourage when needed. Sometimes just a simple “I love how hard you are working” will do the trick.

Be in communications with their teacher.

Kids love to know that mom and the teacher are on the same page. I am quick to email, call, or message one of my kiddo’s teachers whenever I have a question or concern.

This goes for homework too . Whatever it is, I know that communication with their teachers makes their learning processes smoother.

Here’s the truth: when kids know that you can (and will) speak with their teacher, they will be more apt to keep a healthy homework routine.

Create an atmosphere where mistakes are acceptable and effort is praised.

You’re going to see home homework assignments (especially in the elementary age) that make no sense to you. Just go with it…

Foster a homework routine that strives for 100% effort, not 100% perfection.

Now, math may be the exception because you want math to be correct. But, on most things… homework is about training in accountability and getting that little extra practice. That’s it.

Plus, when you’re both striving for perfection things can get frustrating. When in reality, homework isn’t about that.

Get my cheat sheets and find your family’s groove.  Chore, independent play, meal, nap, bedtime, and MORE routine ideas!

Aim for completion and participation, not perfection.

• Homework can be a bonding time when the stress of perfection is taken away.
• Your goal is to aim for happy camper participation.
• Get it done, go have some fun.

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Daily Routine | An ESL Lesson Plan Complete With Games And Activities

In this ESL lesson plan, students will use the present simple tense to talk about daily routines and activities. Students will practice describing their daily routine while playing fun classroom games. All the materials for the games and activities in this English lesson can be downloaded below.

Materials for this lesson:

Daily routine | an esl lesson plan, introduction and warm-up.

Before introducing the keywords and expressions for the lesson, it is important to put the target language into context. A great way to do this when teaching daily routines is to ask the students about what they did before they came to school. Ask them what the first thing they did that day was.

Once you have a few activities on the board, ask students which of those activities they do every day, and at what time they usually do them.

Practice Key Words And Sentences

Using  these daily activity flashcards , introduce the key phrases for the lesson. Ask students to repeat after you and practice many times. Once students have practiced the daily routine phrases, introduce the key expressions. For example, 

Activity 1: Daily Routines Guessing Game

This video is one of Games4esl’s popular ‘Hidden Picture’ style games to practice making English sentences about daily activities. 

To play, simply show the video in class. There are 10 pictures of daily activities hidden behind colored shapes. As the shapes slowly disappear, students must try to guess the daily routine in the picture. When students are ready to guess, they must answer using full sentences. 

Activity 2: Daily Routines Board Game

This next activity is a printable board game about daily routines. Before class, print out  this board game  and prepare some dice. Give one dice and one board game to each pair of students. To start, students should place their eraser at the ‘Start’ square. 

Next, one student should roll the dice and move their eraser. Then they should make a dialogue with their partner based on the picture in the square that they landed on. 

Continue this game for 5 or 10 minutes, and the student with the most points at the end is the winner. 

Activity 3: Daily Routine Speaking Game

All students will start at level 1 (get up) and find a partner. Then with this partner, they should ask and answer, “What time do you get up?”. Students should make their own answers. 

When a student has advanced through all 4 levels, that student gets a point (or sticker) and begins again at level 1. After 5 or 10 minutes, the student with the most points (stickers) is the winner.

Review Activity – Ball Toss

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Homework Routine for Kids

Home » Parent Press » Parenting Hacks » Routines & Schedules » Homework Routine for Kids

As someone who has worked closely with kids for years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges they face when establishing a solid homework routine. Whether it’s the distraction of a favorite toy or simply the overwhelming nature of assignments, it can be tough for both kids and parents. A homework routine is crucial for a child’s academic success and personal development . This article will guide you through creating an effective homework routine that caters to your child’s needs, ensuring a smoother and more productive homework time.

Table of Contents

Why a Homework Routine is Important

A consistent homework routine helps children develop time management skills, increases productivity, and reduces the stress of last-minute cramming. For parents, it provides a structured approach to monitor progress and offer support. Moreover, a routine fosters a sense of responsibility and independence in kids, preparing them for future academic challenges.

Benefits of a Homework Routine

• Improves time management skills
• Increases productivity and focus
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Encourages responsibility and independence
• Allows for consistent parental support and monitoring

Steps to Establish a Homework Routine

1. set a specific time for homework.

One of the most effective ways to establish a homework routine is to set a specific time each day dedicated to homework. Choose a time when your child is most alert and free from distractions. Consistency is key; having a set time helps build a habit.

2. Create a Designated Homework Space

Having a specific area in the house where your child does homework can make a big difference. This space should be free from distractions, comfortable, and equipped with all the necessary supplies. A quiet corner of a room or a desk in their bedroom can work well.

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3. Break Down Assignments into Manageable Tasks

Large assignments can be overwhelming for kids. Help them break down their homework into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the work seem less daunting and helps them stay focused on one task at a time. For example, if they have to write an essay, break it down into brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising stages.

4. Use a Planner or Homework Tracker

Encourage your child to use a planner or homework tracker to keep track of assignments and due dates. This helps them stay organized and teaches them valuable time management skills. There are many apps available that can make this process fun and engaging for kids.

5. Incorporate Breaks

Sitting for long periods can be tough for kids, especially those with thinking and learning differences. Incorporate short breaks into the homework routine to give them time to relax and recharge. A five-minute break after every 25 minutes of work can be very effective.

6. Stay Involved and Offer Support

Your involvement in your child’s homework routine is crucial. Offer support and guidance, but avoid doing the work for them. Praise their efforts and accomplishments to keep them motivated. If they struggle with a particular subject, consider seeking additional resources or tutoring.

Handling Challenges in the Homework Routine

Dealing with distractions.

Distractions can be a major hurdle during homework time. To minimize these, establish rules for homework time, such as no TV or video games. Use positive reinforcement to encourage focus and concentration. Creating a distraction-free environment is essential.

Managing Homework for Neurodivergent Kids

Neurodivergent kids might need additional support to stick to a homework routine. Tailor the routine to their specific needs and preferences. For instance, using visual schedules or timers can help them understand what is expected and stay on track. Break tasks into even smaller steps and provide frequent breaks if necessary.

Balancing Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are important for a child’s overall development but can sometimes interfere with homework. To balance both, plan the homework routine around these activities. Ensure enough time for homework before or after practices and sessions without causing undue stress.

Maintaining a Healthy Homework Routine

Regular review and adjustment.

As your child grows, their homework needs will change. Review and adjust the homework routine to fit their academic requirements and personal growth. Involving your child in this process can give them a sense of control and responsibility.

Encouraging a Positive Attitude

A positive attitude towards homework can make a big difference. Encourage your child to view homework as an opportunity to learn and grow. Celebrate their successes and provide constructive feedback when necessary. Your attitude towards homework can significantly influence theirs.

Ensuring Adequate Rest and Nutrition

Good nutrition and adequate rest are essential for effective learning. Ensure your child has a balanced diet and gets enough sleep. Avoid scheduling homework too late in the evening when they might be tired. A healthy body supports a healthy mind.

Goally | Apps To Support Child Development

Looking for fun ways to help your child learn life skills? Try Goally! The Goally tablet comes with award-winning learning apps and video classes to help kids develop the skills they need to become independent with FUN & evidence-based practices.

Our apps teach executive function , language , emotional regulation, finger dexterity skills , and more.

As your child develops new skills, you can increase the difficulty level of the tasks in the app to challenge and motivate them even further. This helps your child grow and progress at their own pace, while also keeping them engaged and excited about their development.

Creating a homework routine for kids is a valuable investment in their academic success and personal development. Setting specific times, creating a designated space, breaking down tasks, and staying involved can help your child develop a positive and productive approach to homework. Every child is different, so tailor the routine to their unique needs and preferences. With consistency and support, a solid homework routine can make homework time less stressful and more enjoyable for you and your child.

Helpful Resources

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FAQ’s About Homework Routine

Emily Parker

Emily is a seasoned blog writer for Goally, leveraging her extensive background in child psychology and special education to provide valuable insights and resources for parents. Her commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of these children, combined with her expertise in educational strategies, makes her a credible and empathetic voice for families.

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• Posted in in ESL Conversation Questions

30 daily routine questions for English learners

• Posted by by Cameron Smith

Daily routine questions are the perfect discussion topic to get your ESL students talking. Everyone has a daily routine. And everyone has strong opinions on what a good daily routine should and shouldn’t include.

Separate your class into pairs and have students take turns asking questions about daily routines in English.

List of daily routine questions

•  What is your typical daily routine?
• What time do you usually wake up?
• What does your morning routine look like?
• Is your morning routine different on weekends? If so, how?
• What is your post-work routine?
• What is the hardest part of your daily routine?
• What is the most fun part of your daily routine?
• What is the most relaxing part of your daily routine?
• What is your daily routine for dinner?
• What do you think everyone should add to their daily routines?
• What is one thing that you wish you could add to your daily routine?
• Is your weekday routine different to your weekend routine? How?
• What time do you usually start work?
• Do you prefer to walk or drive to work?
• What time do you get home from work?
• Do you eat dinner alone or with your family?
• Do you watch a lot of TV at night?
• How do you spend your evenings during the week?
• How do you spend your evenings on weekends?
• What time do you typically go to bed?
• Do you brush your teeth twice a day?
• Does your daily routine include any time for exercise?
• How has your daily routine changed over time?
• Do you allocate time for self-care or wellbeing in your daily routines?
• Have you incorporated any hobbies or pastimes into your weekly routine?
• Does your daily routine have a healthy work-life balance ?
• How do you stay consistent in your daily routine?
• Is a person’s wellbeing linked to their daily routine? How?
• What’s the best thing that anyone could do in the mornings to improve their wellbeing?

Want us to publish a specific group of ESL Conversation Questions or cover a certain ESL Discussion Topic next? Comment below with your suggestions!

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Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith is an English Communication Coach based in Vancouver, Canada. He's the founder of Learn English Every Day, and he's on a mission to help millions of people speak English with confidence. If you want longer video content, please follow me on YouTube for fun English lessons and helpful learning resources!

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How to Establish a Great Homework Routine

For many families of school-age children, homework time can be a struggle. After a full day of school and activities, parents are often dealing with tired kids. And then there are the frustrations of kids forgetting to bring home their books or materials, being unclear on what they need to do or tackling subjects they struggle with. This can make for a rough evening or afternoon. But homework is important. It teaches responsibility and good work habits. One of the best ways to help your child be successful with homework is to establish a great homework routine. Create yours with these tips!

Establish a Great Homework Routine

1. communicate with your child’s teacher.

When you set out to establish a homework routine, communicating with your child’s teacher is a good place to start. This is especially true with younger school-age children. As your child gets older you will want them to take on the responsibility for tracking their homework assignments and figure out what is needed.

With your younger school-age children, talk with their teacher to clarify how much time is expected to be spent on homework. And find out when and how assignments are communicated to your child and sent home. With this information, you can help your child learn to track their own assignments and know what the expectations are for your child’s homework time.

Establishing an open line of communication with your child’s teacher is also a big help if your child has ongoing struggles with homework or with understanding assignments. The teacher may be able to clarify or adjust assignments to help your child find success with their homework.

2. Create a Homework Schedule

Because homework is something that will likely need to be tackled daily, schedule a regular time for your child to get their work done. For some kids, this will mean sitting down and starting homework within a few minutes of getting home from school. Other kids may need some time to snack and unwind before opening their backpack after a full school day.

If your child doesn’t do well with an inflexible schedule, you can take a less rigid approach by establishing expectations without setting a specific time. For example, no TV or video games until homework is done. But outside of that rule allow them to choose the time. As long as they eventually get to work, this approach allows them to take some responsibility for themselves.

3. Choose a Place for Homework

To help your child get in the right mindset for homework, it’s helpful to designate a specific place for schoolwork. The location should be quiet, well-lit and free of distractions. Turn the TV off and silence cell phones or remove them from the homework area. Homework time will be more productive with fewer interruptions.

4. Provide Guidance Not Answers

It’s natural as a parent to want to help your child succeed. With homework, this means helping your child get focused, organized, and ready to work. It does not mean completing their assignments for them or even providing the answers.

If your child is struggling with an assignment you can be a great resource. You can help them clarify directions and guide them towards resources for researching answers. But you don’t want to get in the habit of doing the work for them. The lessons they learn from mom and dad’s overinvolvement in their homework are all the wrong ones.

If a particular assignment or school subject is a source of ongoing struggle, consider encouraging your child to check in with their teacher and offer assistance with this conversation as much as is appropriate for your child’s age and abilities.

5. Remain Consistent

A great homework routine needs to be just that, a routine. If you make it part of your child’s everyday schedule you’ll avoid a daily argument. And having a set time each day will keep your child consistent in their work and teach them to be organized.

If your child has after-school activities that make a consistent homework time challenging, establish a consistent weekly routine. This will provide the same stability and benefits by making homework a daily habit.

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Family Focus Blog

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How To Establish A Homework Routine

September 21, 2022 by Scarlet

The school year has started. So has the battle to get energetic kids, ready to play after a long day of school, to sit down and do their homework. This battle can be particularly difficult with restless children. Here are some homework tips that many parents have found helpful to establish a homework routine that works. A homework routine typically includes several key elements to help students stay organized, focused, and productive. Here is how to get started.

6 Homework Tips for Parents with Restless Kids

1. Create A Homework Routine

A homework routine is a set schedule designed to help the child know what to expect. A homework routine makes things easier by creating a habit of doing homework at a specific time. The elements that make up a productive homework routine should include a start time, breaks at regular intervals, and a designated area in which to do the homework. This homework space may be the kitchen table, dining room table, or a desk in their room as long as it is clean and stocked with school supplies.

For younger children in elementary school the homework routine should be designed by a parent. By middle school the child may want to take the reins on their homework session with a little follow up from a parent. In high school, the homework routine should be designed by the student. However, if a parent notices grades dropping, they make need to make adjustments. For example, remove screen time from the school week if grades aren’t up to par.

Many children will want to have a break after school before starting homework assignments. After sitting still at school all day, I can see why. So allowing them an hour after they get home to play outdoors and have a snack is a great way to make sure they are prepared to start their homework. In this way, they will have expelled excess energy and they won’t have a hungry stomach bothering them during homework time.

Homework Routine Example

3:30 Child arrives home from school. 3:30-4:30 Snack time with active play outdoors when possible. 4:30 Child sits down at designated homework station. 4:30-5:00 Complete assignments. 5:00-5:15 Break 5:15-5:45 Finish any work due the next day and if there is time left, work on any long-term assignments.

The above homework schedule is for younger kids who can’t sit still and concentrate for long periods of time. Hopefully, they will complete homework within that time. If not, they can continue to do 30 minutes of homework and then take a break until complete. I would not let them play video games during their breaks. Save that type of sedentary activity as their reward for finishing completely.

A good homework routine should also include the elements below.

2. Help Kids Release Some Energy

Whether a child has a lot of energy or struggles with paying attention, providing an outlet for that energy will help avoid their impulse to get up and walk away. This can do wonders at helping a child focus on his or her school work. Try having your student sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair at the desk or table. Another option would be to tie an exercise band on the desk or chair where the student can pull and play with it with their feet. Or try giving them some chewing gum, which has been found to organize the nervous system. Whatever you try, make sure it is a small movement that can be done subconsciously, so your student is able to give full attention to their homework.

3. Provide Motivation

We all need motivation to get tasks completed, especially if the task seems difficult or boring. Avoid bribing or begging your child to do their homework. Rather, set clear ground rules for when they get home from school. For example, they can play with their friends after their homework is done. If your son or daughter seems to struggle with time management in particular, try setting a timer for 30 minutes. Then ask them to see how much they can get done before the timer goes off. When trying this approach, be sure the quality of the work doesn’t suffer. The time limit should serve as a motivator to focus and work in an efficient manner.

4. Be Available

Frustration at not understanding a homework assignment or being unable to get help can lead to stress and feelings of helplessness. The best way to help with this is to be available to your student as they are doing homework. In this way, they can ask questions and get help when they need it. If your child is unwilling to accept your help, they may benefit from a tutor . Or they may want to call a homework buddy who can answer their questions.

5. Tips For Focusing On Homework: Limit Distractions

Distractions are particularly problematic for kids with ADHD or other learning disabilities . Try to set aside a quiet room with few visual distractions for your child to work in. Classical music and white noise has been found to be helpful in some situations. For teenagers, take away the cellphone and social media until their homework is completed. Giving students a snack with protein and complex carbs will keep them to focus on school work not an empty stomach. Most importantly, when you establish a homework routine, keep the TV off.

6. Adapt to Your Child’s Needs

Every child learns differently, so the most important thing to remember is to adapt to your child’s needs when figuring out how to help establish a homework routine. Perhaps your child would benefit from online tutoring or educational math game apps  if they enjoy computer games. In addition, talk with your child’s teacher about the homework load. Sometimes the amount of time a teacher is thinking an assignment will take ends up being twice as long, so let them know if it is getting to be too much. For students with special needs, a continuing conversation with the teacher as well as counselors will go a long way to ensuring a happy school year both for the parents and for the child.

Gen Z is known as the “digital generation” and I think we can all see as parents how much they rely on devices. However, not surprisingly, Gen Z still sees value in using both analog and digital tools when it comes to learning and education. According to the Post-it® Brand Study, 93% of Gen Z believe students who write things down on paper get better grades. I have to agree from my own personal experience and from working with my kids to prepare for tests. We find that writing information down helps commit it to memory much better than just reading or saying it.

Conclusion on Tips For Getting Young Kids To Do Their Homework

Your homework routine should include some common elements: designated study space, consistent schedule, prioritization of tasks, breaks, use of organizational tools like planners, goal setting, and a support system. Parents, teachers, or tutors, should provide assistance and encouragement when needed. Turning off notifications, keeping phones away, and limiting access to distracting websites can help maintain focus during homework.

I hope you found these homework tips for parents helpful when assisting your child to create a positive homework experience. Working to establish a homework routine helps your child know what to expect and when. This helps them to create healthy habits with knowing that work comes before screen time but that active breaks are important too.

Related Posts:

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Reader Interactions

Alish shaikh says

September 24, 2022 at 6:05 am

Hi Thanks for this very extensive list of advice, tips, and insights. Keep it up.

Regards Alish Shaikh

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Back to School Simplified: How to Create Key Routines

August 21, 2024

Imagine this: It’s 7:00 AM on a Monday, and the chaos has already begun. You slept through your alarm clock, and now you’re scrambling to get breakfast on the table while your kids are frantically searching for lost shoes and homework. The  water bottles  are nowhere to be found, and you’re trying to remember if you signed those  permission slips . The stress is palpable, and you wonder how the day may have just started.

Sound familiar? So, what do we do?

Tweak Your Life with Daily Routines

Routines are more than just a series of tasks we go through each day—they’re one of the best ways to automate the essential things, making them a natural part of your day. When we think about routines, start with what truly matters and prioritize those things first. Then, ask yourself how you can go in the correct order so each step flows logically. Finally, repeat these steps consistently until they become automatic, freeing up your mental energy for other things. Routines take the plans we discussed last week one step further and automate what we want to be sure to do!

Here are a few tips to help you build   effective  routines :

• Visual Reminders: Use visual aids, like a checklist or a family calendar, to keep everyone on track. I used to do this in the classroom when introducing a new routine to my kids. Pictures work great with young children; a simple phrase-type checklist works once they can read. Please don’t skip this even for yourself; it can help you practice your way to automation.
• Keep It Simple : Focus on the essentials and avoid overcomplicating your routines. Doing a few things well is better than overwhelming yourself with too many tasks. Avoid adding things other people do because you think you should. Do what matters to you; it will help you get from where you are to where you want to go.
• Be Flexible : While consistency is important, it’s also okay to be flexible. Know the difference between what’s necessary and what’s nice to do so you can adapt as needed. For me, brushing my teeth is necessary; a shower is nice, but I can skip it if I am short on  time . People assume routines are restrictive, but a good routine flows with you and flexes based on the day while maintaining what matters most gets done.

Setting up Key Routines for This Time of Year

Key Routine #1 – Night Time Routine

The evening routine is often the most underrated and overlooked, but it’s actually the cornerstone of a smooth school morning routine . If you want to streamline your back-to-school experience, this is the first routine to look at.

Our day starts the night before, making a consistent  bedtime routine  crucial for setting everyone up for success. Here’s a few key pieces to assess your current routine and tweak what you are doing to make the most of this routine:

• Set a  Bedtime Schedule : Aim for a consistent bedtime for everyone in the  whole family . This helps regulate  hours of sleep  and ensures a  good night’s sleep . Monitor how much sleep your kids need and plan a bedtime that allows them to get that amount. Our youngest needs about 11 hours of sleep so we put him to bed between 8 pm so he can get up and feel rested by 7 am the next morning. At the beginning of the year, it’s a long day for kids so they might even need a little extra sleep or fall asleep after school.
• Prepare for the  Next Day : Lay out clothes, pack lunches , check for any homework assignments that need to be completed, and add to and review your to-do list. Doing these things always helps me rest assured that it will all get done, and my mind can take a breath. This reduces morning stress and  last-minute  scrambles.
• Prepare a  family Calendar : Keep a visible calendar in a common area to track  school schedules , appointments, and activities.  We use this one! If you have a lot going on, you can even have a little family meeting to run through the game plan for the next day. This helps everyone stay informed and on the same page at the end of the day and is a hug to your morning self.
• Wind Down : Create a calming pre-bedtime routine. This might include reading a book, having a quiet conversation (need help with what to ask your kids, grab our table talk cards, perfect for bedtime too) , or practicing relaxation techniques. A peaceful wind-down helps everyone get enough sleep and wake up more refreshed.
• Tidy Up: A quick evening cleanup can make a big difference. Spend a few minutes tidying up common areas, so you start the day with a clean slate.

Read more about what we serve for breakfast and pack in lunches in this post.

Key Routine #2 – Morning Routine

Energizing the Start of the Day A well-organized  morning routine  sets a positive tone for the entire day. Here’s how to streamline your mornings:

• Wake Up Early : Give yourself enough time in the morning. Waking up before the kids can give you a head start and reduce the stress of getting everyone ready. I didn’t do this when I had babies and wasn’t sleeping through the night, but a moment of quiet with my coffee is a great way to greet the world in the morning slowly. Be sure you subtract the hours of sleep you would like to get from the time you wake up so you ensure you go to bed and get enough sleep (pending no middle-of-the-night wake-ups).
• Simplify  Breakfast : Have a go-to breakfast plan that’s both nutritious and quick. Consider prepping  breakfast items  on your weekly meal plan. You can check out this post about how I feed my family during the back-to-school season, but keep the options limited to reduce decision fatigue. We pick 3-4 breakfast options each week for the kids to choose from.
• Establish a  Morning Checklist : Create a checklist for the kids to follow, including  brushing their teeth , getting dressed, and packing their  lunch bag . This promotes independence and ensures nothing is forgotten. This is where a visual aid may come in handy, even if kids can’t read having a little picture clue for what they need to do can help as the routine becomes more automatic. For example, you could have a picture of clothes (for getting dressed), an egg (for breakfast), a lunch box (so they can grab their lunch), a water bottle (so they can fill their water bottle and shoes (to put on their shoes). You can post it where they can easily see it, and this helps promote independence and, once learned, can reduce your morning nagging and mental load. Hallelujah!

Key Routine #3 – After-School Routine

Easing into the Evening A smooth transition from school to home helps keep everyone calm and organized. Here’s how to simplify  the after-school routine :

• Establish an After-School Checklist: Much like the morning one, ask yourself what are 3-5 things your kids need to do when they get home. For us, that’s things like emptying their backpacks on the counter, putting their shoes and backpacks away, washing their hands, and grabbing a snack at the counter so we can go through the papers and do homework.
• Create a Snack Station: Set up a designated area for after-school snacks. This will help the kids grab something healthy and keep the kitchen from getting cluttered.
• Establish  Homework Time and Spot : Designate a specific time and place for homework. Create a quiet, distraction-free environment to help the kids focus and complete their assignments efficiently. We like to do it at the kitchen counter, so I have a kitchen drawer where I house some basic school supplies we can grab if needed, such as pencils, pads of paper, a calculator, a ruler, tape, scissors, and a glue stick. 
• Incorporate  Relaxation Time : After a busy day, it’s essential to unwind. My introverted kids especially often want a little alone time. Encourage activities like reading, playing outside, or engaging in a hobby. This helps everyone transition from the hustle and bustle of the day to a more relaxed evening. We also incorporate some sort of screen time. Do what works best for your family.
• After-school activities: Remember to plan your weekly plan for after-school activities and plan accordingly. Do you need to pick kids up from school or pack a snack? A quick morning conversation can help kids mentally prepare for what’s ahead. Don’t forget to set an alarm on your phone during the first few weeks to help you remember when and where you need to be!
• Prepare for the  Next Day : Involve the kids in preparing for the  next day  by checking  school bags , packing  lunchboxes , and laying out clothes. This will help everyone get into the habit of preparing in advance.

Streamline Key Activities into Routines

In a recent blog post, I touched on the importance of planning things like your week and meals, you can check that out here. But I want to take it further and discuss how turning those plans into routines can simplify your life. When something becomes routine, it’s no longer something you must think about—it’s just part of what you do. This shift from planning to routine can significantly reduce the mental load, ensuring that what needs to get done is done, almost on autopilot.

For example, a weekly game plan written out along with a meal plan  are invaluable tools for streamlining your daily life. By picking a specific day of the week to create your plan, you establish a rhythm that becomes second nature. I chose to do this on Friday to either grocery shop over the weekend or on Monday. We also have a Sunday night tidy-up in our home to prepare the house for the new week. This routine ensures we start Monday with a clean slate, literally and figuratively.

This concept extends beyond just household chores. I have set up weekly routines in my business to manage my workload effectively. For instance, Mondays are reserved for writing blog posts like this one. By dedicating specific days to specific tasks, I remove the guesswork and ensure these important activities don’t fall through the cracks.

When you establish routines for essential tasks—meal planning, tidying up, or working on your business—you create a structure that helps you stay on track. These routines free up mental space, reduce stress, and ensure that what truly matters gets done, week after week.

What key activities do you need to do weekly or daily? How can you turn them into a routine and just put them on the calendar to ensure they get done?

Embrace Routine for a Smoother School Year

Implementing these key routines can significantly affect how smoothly the  new school year  goes. By establishing consistent  bedtime  and  morning routines , making things like  meal planning and   weekly planning a routine , you can reduce stress and make room for what matters.

Remember, routines are about creating structure and predictability, which helps everyone feel more in control and less overwhelmed. This is especially helpful at the start of a new season, as it can bring lots of nervous butterflies for everyone! Here’s to a great new school year. Be sure to check out the rest of the articles in this back-to-school simplified series so you can head back to school stress-free!

Check out the rest of the Back to School Simplified Series Here:

What to Feed Your Family For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Back-to-School Time Management Tips

How to Declutter Your Kids Room as they Head Back to School

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The Power of a Homework Routine

As the school year progresses, the amount of homework increases. Many kids keep up with their work. Unfortunately, many kids and teens with ADD/ADHD fall behind in their homework.

Homework often becomes a big battle each afternoon or evening. One which parents (and kids) find frustrating.

Treatment for ADD/ADHD often helps school work and homework. If your child takes medication, their focus improves, and it helps. But many medications wear off in the late afternoon or early evening, and this makes the problem worse.

There are many strategies which can help to get homework done faster and easier. One of the most helpful is setting up a homework routine.

Many kids or teens get home from school and want a break. They want a snack, to relax, go on their computer, tablet or play video games. At some point later in the afternoon or evening, a discussion begins about having to get homework done.

They make excuses about why they shouldn't have to do it now… They try to convince you that they don't have any homework that's due tomorrow… They tell you they  have to  stay online because they're playing with their friends, etc.

Every day, starting homework becomes a big, frustrating, drawn out negotiation and argument.

Aren't you sick of saying: “If you started your homework instead of arguing, you'd be done by now!”

The solution for this challenge can be simple. Set up a homework routine.

We all do better with routines. You use a morning routine to get ready. I'll bet that you don't need to use much brain power to get up, brush your teeth, shower, get dressed, etc. Because it's a routine, you can do it on autopilot. The amazing thing about routines is that they take the  thinking  out of it. You no longer have to decide to do something, you just do it because it's time for the routine.

That's what we're aiming for with a homework routine.

What is a homework routine?

It's setting up a daily structure for homework. It often goes something like this:

• Get home from school at 4 pm
• Have a snack and do an activity for 30 minutes
• Meet at the kitchen table at 4:30 pm
• Open your backpack, and go through your agenda with mom/dad
• Do your homework

When a routine like this is set up, it becomes clear to your child that homework is a  daily  responsibility. There's no discussion or negotiation about when he needs to do it because it's scheduled. After some initial frustration with it, your child will settle into the routine and benefit from it.

Setting up a homework routine for teens presents its own challenges. They're more independent, and likely won't want your active involvement. Yet, they'll still benefit from the structure.

Often the biggest challenge with teens is their desire for video games or screen time after school. They don't realize the amount of time that goes by while they're on their electronics. They feel like they can shut it off early enough to get their homework done, but they often don't or can't. Hours fly by and then they're not motivated to do their homework. For this reason, I generally suggest no video games until after homework is done.

Setting Up a Homework Routine: 

The best way to set up a homework routine with your child or teen is to collaborate on the solution. Here are some suggested steps:

• Pick a time when your child or teen is receptive to discussion.
• Start off by discussing the importance of finding solutions for homework. Ask them how it would matter to them if they didn't have any homework challenges.
• See if they have suggestions to solve the problem.
• Introduce the concept of a homework routine, and listen to what they say.
• Ask them how they would want to do it each day, and what would work best for them.
• Once you decide on an approach together, write it down.
• Make sure your written homework routine has times on it (i.e. it is scheduled).

Once you set up a homework routine, track how it's going and adapt as needed. Realize that you'll get more resistance when you first start using it, and then it'll get easier. If your child fights the homework routine, remind them why it's important to them  (just use their words from your initial planning the routine).

If you're struggling to make a homework routine work, talk to your child's healthcare professional to help you with strategies that'll work better for your child and you.

Dr. Kenny has put together 11 strategies for parents to eliminate ADHD homework battles. It's an easy to read and easy to use ‘cheat sheet'. Click here to download your copy for free.

Dr. Kenny is a Child and Adult Psychiatrist and an expert in ADHD. He's the author of Attention Difference Disorder , and he's dedicated to helping people to live better with ADD/ADHD by using a strength based perspective.

2 replies to "The Power of a Homework Routine"

I love to get your updates, I thank you for this Cheat Sheet, definately going to try this plan. Almost sounds like you are at my house listening to our everyday life. Keep the tips coming.

last night was one of them extrtemly hard times for homework with my 9 year old who has add.sure he left his agenda and math book scholl Friday night gat agenda Monday sure enough he had homework.we did the rant and rave,threaten nd feeling sorry.just what I needed Tuesday morning your email to get me back in straight and narrow thank you

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Get your child speaking the minority language more actively right now!

Secrets of a Successful Homework Routine, Part 1

• February 12, 2013
• 34 Comments

In How Many Hours Per Week Is Your Child Exposed to the Minority Language? , I mentioned how I began the practice of daily homework with my kids from around the age of 3.

Frankly, I would have preferred to wait with written work until they were a bit older—which seems more in line with a child’s natural development. But the hard reality is, I felt it was important to give literacy in the minority language (for us, that’s English) a strong head start before they entered our local elementary school and their literacy in the majority language (Japanese) then quickly took off.

Plus, I figured that if I established a daily “homework habit” from a young age—and made their first experience of this as enjoyable as I could—it would take root more easily and become an expected part of their lives, like brushing their teeth. If I had waited until they were older, not only would it have been harder for their English literacy to develop alongside their Japanese literacy (particularly since the two writing systems are so different), I think it would have proven more difficult to incorporate this routine into the lifestyle they had already grown accustomed to.

This doesn’t mean that, today, they never complain about doing homework! But the fact that the habit is now well established—at this point they can’t even remember a time when they didn’t have daily homework!—makes it a lot easier to manage this resistance and maintain the routine. (And when you start early, you’re able to make this a firmer habit for yourself as well. After all, the routine will only be as successful as the strength of your own commitment to it.)

So around the time they were 3—when they could comfortably grip a pencil—our daily homework habit began. In this post, I’ll share all the “secrets” with you, including links to the materials that have been most useful to me.

Our homework routine

“What sort of homework do you give a 3-year-old?”

This is the natural question asked by a reader the other day.

Of course, the activities and materials will vary, depending on the target language, but I’ll tell you exactly what I’ve been doing at home over the years in my quest to nurture the reading and writing ability of my children. (Lulu is 8 now and Roy is nearly 6.) Even if the materials I mention aren’t relevant to you, the overall structure might serve as a helpful model for your own routine.

Efforts made beforehand

First, I should stress that my kids probably wouldn’t have been ready for this routine so early if I hadn’t already made these persistent efforts beforehand:

• I read aloud to them, every day, from the time they were born. As I’ve discussed in The Secret to Raising a Bilingual Child and other articles on reading , I believe that reading aloud is the number one way to promote a child’s language development. If reading aloud in the minority language isn’t made a regular practice in the home, the bilingual journey will likely be far more difficult.
• As soon as they could sit up and grasp a fat crayon, I had paper and crayons freely available for them to use (and later, other drawing/writing tools like markers, colored pencils, pencils, and pens). Because they began scribbling early, and often, their little hands gained good motor control and this scribbling gradually evolved into drawing and writing.

Reading activities

The heart of our homework time has always involved reading. As Stephen Krashen argues so persuasively in The Power of Reading , the act of reading fuels greater proficiency in all language areas—including writing (good readers grow to be good writers)—so focusing on reading is actually the wisest, most efficient way to promote the whole range of a child’s language skills.

Before my kids were able to read, I simply continued reading aloud to them (individually), for 15 to 20 minutes, which formed the first portion of our homework time. As the months passed, and my finger trailed under the text of every book, they began to remember and recognize their first words quite naturally.

Then, when they were about 4 or so, I introduced a series of small books for beginning readers called Now I’m Reading! These fun little books were very effective as a springboard to early independent reading and they both completed the series by around the age of 5.

See Now I’m Reading! for my full review of this series, along with a link to the publisher.

From there, we moved into “shared reading”: starting with simple picture books, we took turns reading together, page by page. And as their reading ability steadily grew stronger, we progressed to harder picture books, then easy chapter books, and finally harder chapter books and children’s literature. Currently, Lulu and I are reading the first Harry Potter book, while Roy and I are reading the longer books in The Magic Treehouse series.

See How to Get Your Child Hooked on Books for more on The Magic Treehouse and other good chapter books that come in a series.

It’s no secret, then, how both children became competent readers: books, via reading aloud and, later, shared reading, have been a big part of their daily lives from the time they were born.

Along with reading aloud, and then, shared reading, a succession of workbooks have also formed part of our homework routine.

Workbooks, of course, often conjure images of children hunched over a desk, bored to tears. But there’s a very good reason, I think, for this ingrained idea: most workbooks are boring. Yes, they may do a decent job of developing certain language targets, but that doesn’t make the content itself any less dry and dull to most kids (and their parents).

As a teacher myself, I know that producing materials which are both effective in their educational aims, and actually fun to use—with some creativity and humor—is a challenging task. I sometimes create my own materials for my kids and my students (like my “captive reading” stories ), but I naturally don’t have time to generate good materials at a daily rate. So I’ve come to accept the fact that most of the materials on the market will be kind of tedious, and I only ask my kids to do a little bit at a time.

The trick is to do a little bit daily , because a little bit daily becomes a lot over time.

When it comes to workbooks, then, here are some of the better materials I’ve come across so far, shared roughly in the sequence that we’ve used them.

1. dot-to-dot books In my experience, dot-to-dot books are the most gentle, most enjoyable way to introduce “written work” to a young child. My use of dot-to-dot books with Lulu and Roy, after the read-aloud time, was a good success: not only did it help nurture their knowledge of the alphabet and numbers, and pave the way for real writing by practicing controlled lines, it set a positive precedent for all the written work that followed.

Just two things to bear in mind: 1) The difficulty of a book must match your child’s level of ability (start with the simplest books, with no more than 10 or 20 letters or numbers per picture, and progress from there); and 2) My kids burned through these books quickly so you’ll probably need to purchase a stack of them!

See Usborne and Balloon Books for many of the dot-to-dot books that we used.

2. phonics workbooks Although I tend to focus primarily on “whole language” activities (through reading aloud and shared reading), I do recognize the value of phonics work as a supplemental activity to strengthen reading skills. Toward that end, once my kids had a good grasp of the alphabet and seemed ready to write letters and short words, we left the dot-to-dot books behind and moved into some phonics material.

The phonics workbooks I used come from the Spectrum series, which offers a wide variety of reasonably-priced workbooks for all sorts of subjects. Some of these books look better than others—so it’s important to study the actual pages at amazon or another online retailer—but their early phonics books served us well. In fact, I believe one reason Roy is now stronger at phonics than Lulu is because I emphasized these workbooks more consistently in Roy’s daily homework routine. (I have some regret that I didn’t do the same with Lulu, because she seems to struggle more when sounding out unfamiliar words.)

See Spectrum Phonics for their whole line-up of phonics workbooks, from kindergarten through grade 6. (I’ve only used, and can personally recommend, the Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 books.)

3. reading workbooks I had been hunting for good reading workbooks for some time, so I was happy when I stumbled upon Evan-Moor’s Daily Reading Comprehension series last year, available for grades 1 to 8. If I had known about the series earlier, I would probably have introduced them right from the Grade 1 book—using this level alongside the early Spectrum phonics books.

Instead, I began with the Grade 3 book for Lulu and the Grade 2 book for Roy, replacing other supplemental reading texts that I had found unsatisfying. (Choosing materials is sometimes a process of trial and error, and I don’t advise pushing ahead with a book that you’re unhappy with. It’s far better, in my opinion—even if a bit of money is squandered—to search again for a more appropriate book.)

See Daily Reading Comprehension for my full review of this series, along with a link to the publisher.

Writing activities

At the same time that we’ve moved through this progression of workbooks—which focus mainly on reading—I’ve tried to maintain regular practice for writing, too, in these three ways. (In fact, I’ve tried a couple of the Spectrum writing workbooks, too, but I wasn’t thrilled with them.)

1. journal writing About once a week I have my kids write and illustrate an entry in a journal, generally describing a recent experience, but occasionally they’ll produce a fictional story of some kind. (And I hope to do more creative writing in the future.) To date, I’ve made use of three ready-made journals from an educational company in the United States, called Lakeshore . (It’s been a long time since I’ve placed an order with them, but they offer a wide variety of good-quality educational products and will ship things internationally.)

The first journal ( My First Writing Prompts Journal ) features simple prompts in which the child simply chooses and copies a word or words to complete a sentence, then illustrates the idea.

The next journal ( My First Draw & Write Journal , currently used by Roy) enables the child to write a sentence of his own, then illustrate it.

And the third journal ( Draw & Write Journal , currently used by Lulu) provides a page and a half for writing, along with space for an illustration.

Ready-made journals aren’t really needed, of course—you could create something similar on your own—but it’s helpful to use writing paper that’s age-appropriate for your child, like these journals provide. Writing paper can easily be found online and printed out for this purpose. The remarkable homeschooling site donnayoung.org has an array of writing paper that can be freely downloaded as PDF files.

2. writing letters We currently maintain a regular correspondence with a number of people, including family members and pen-pals in a few different countries. Lulu is now writing to five people, while Roy is writing to four. Though the work itself is sporadic, they probably write a letter once a week or so.

At a younger age, as with Roy, I’ll transcribe what he wants to say and then have him copy it over onto writing paper. With Lulu, who can now write more freely, I’ll ask her to write the first draft on her own, we’ll edit it together, and then she’ll put the final draft on stationary.

3. translation practice Recently, about once a week or so, I’ve also added translation practice to Lulu’s homework routine. We’ll each translate the same page from Japanese into English—to start, we’re using the Japanese version of Arnold Lobel’s simple Frog and Toad stories—and then we compare our efforts, explaining why we made certain choices. Translation is a special challenge, demanding a deep sensitivity to both languages, and I believe beginning this practice from a fairly young age (interpretation, too) is a powerful way to advance a child’s bilingual ability.

Other resources

In addition to these activities, some of the other resources I’ve turned to include…

Homework Helpers (from Frank Schaffer Publications), a series of small, inexpensive workbooks of word puzzles, word searches, and other language practice activities.

Picture Clue Crosswords , a fun book of visual crossword puzzles for vocabulary and spelling practice. (I photocopy the necessary pages and give them a nudge by writing in the tricky letters that would probably stump them.)

Games for Reading and Games for Writing , both by master teacher Peggy Kaye, are wonderful books with a range of fun, playful games designed to promote literacy.

Final thoughts

I’m not rigid about the amount of time we spend on homework each day, but I do try to aim for roughly 30 minutes. The content of our routine has naturally evolved over time, but reading books—reading aloud, and now shared reading—has always been at the core of this effort, along with the various other reading and writing activities I’ve described.

While I’m now able to read aloud the same book to both of them at our read-aloud session each morning at breakfast, their homework time—because of their different needs when it comes to reading and writing—remains separate. This means I must squeeze in two 30-minute blocks each day to maintain our routine, though as they grow older, they’ve become capable of doing some of the work on their own.

When they complete their homework for the day, they earn a piece of (sugarless) gum. It sounds silly, I know, but gum became their little reward long ago and it does add to their daily motivation. I also offer them small incentives for finishing a reading book, like little Pokemon figures. (Roy loves them!) I know there are various views when it comes to rewards, but I’ve found that modest incentives can heighten enthusiasm and help sustain effort.

In the end, though, the real key to a successful homework routine is you. How much time and energy are you able, and willing, to give to this ongoing challenge? In my case, as long as my children are attending a Japanese school, I don’t see any alternative but to continue plugging away, day by day, if I wish for them to reach a high level of literacy in English, too.

To continue this look at the “secrets” of our homework routine, don’t miss my follow-up post, written 18 months later:  Secrets of a Successful Homework Routine, Part 2 .

34 Responses

Thank you, Adam! Great summary of what we can do as teachers in the family to support our bilingual children. I would add that even though I agree its ideal to start at a younger age, some children are not ready and need more time in the dominant language before beginning. Otherwise lessons can seem more like World War II, especially if a child has dyslexic issues or auditory processing challenges that won’t be caught as easily at the preschool age. Even teenagers will not complain about reading elementary school age level material if that is the most comfortable reading level for them. That’s been our experience. The other point I would add is about rewards, making the lessons fun. As parents we have to play doubly hard at being our own kids’ teachers and they will send us around the bend unless we set controls and incentives that they can enjoy as part of their lessons.

Liane, thank you for your comment! These are all wise thoughts. As you point out, every parent needs to be sensitive about when and how to begin working with their children at home to nurture literacy in the minority language. Earlier may be better, but it won’t always be better for every child. And, I agree, establishing a structured routine, and reasonable incentives, are important measures for both our success and our sanity!

No routine! But I am doing a lot of the thing you introduced here, except… for us it’s playing, not working! I also have many great iPad apps to encourage writing and reading skills, and I have done some simple DIY reading projects. As for homework, can it be that you’re living in Japan where school is very competitive and a lot is required from the children? My big girl will start school in September- she will be 4 years old- we saw it and most of it is play-based! (we live in the Netherlands)

Olga, I think there are different phases in the bilingual journey, depending on the age of the child and the family’s goals. My children are a bit older now, and developing literacy in the minority language is an important aim. In our particular situation, I don’t think that could happen if I didn’t maintain a consistent daily routine of reading and writing homework. At the same time, I do try to make our activities as enjoyable for them as I can. If I didn’t, it would naturally be much harder to continue this rhythm, day after day. (It sounds like an iPad might help, too!)

Hi. It seems like we are in the same boat! Like the site and the subject and will link here from my blog (also about raising bilingual children in Japan).

Nick, thanks for your kind comment. I visited your site and applaud all the good work you’re doing with your daughter. Let’s keep up our efforts! Cheers from Hiroshima to Nagoya!

I am wanting to teach my child French (english is dominant language). However, I have extremely limited experience in French, so I am essentially learning alongside my child. How exactly would you advise I go about doing this? I have been collecting French picture books, music/songs and French videos and cartoons I’ve found on youtube. I’ve decided to ban all cartoons unless they are in french. lol Since I barely read French myself, I don’t even know what to look up. I’d love to find good french workbooks, but the ones I’ve run across so far aren’t that great, especially compared to the wealth of ones I find in the US. Thanks for the very informative post, btw.

Amanda, it sounds like you’re making some very good efforts to expose your child to French. At the same time, I think you’ll need to create opportunities beyond the “passive” input you’re providing so that the child can engage in interactive experiences in the language, too. You don’t mention where you live, or the age of your child, but I would seek out French lessons, tutors, babysitters, exchange students you might hire to play with the child, etc. Without such interactive experiences (perhaps you could also take part to improve your own French!), it will be hard to progress beyond a point of passive ability. Input is vital, but output is essential, too. Keep at it! You can do it!

Everyday, I make it a habit of reading your posts ! I think your articles are good to make parents like reading too. Just like what is happening to me right now! Isn’t it so obvious to you that you get me hooked on your site!? And thank you for that! I am learning a lot from you and from other parent’s comments too! And I get excited each time I learn new ideas from you.

Thank you, too, Raira. I’m really happy to hear that. Please stop by any time! :mrgreen:

Great resource and ideas! We also have a daily target language homework. It varies with our schedule since my children are older. We do interactive reading almost daily, I read to them and they read to me in our target language. We play games, yes, that counts as homework on a busy day. We do experiments on the weekend and kids love it, and they expand the vocabulary in science. We have writing as well and I make the worksheet for them so it is not too overwhelming. :)

Amanda, thank you for sharing these details of your efforts. You’re clearly doing a terrific job with your kids, and I have no doubt that their progress is strong and steady. I was just thinking this morning that establishing and maintaining good habits and routines is a fundamental part of this long-term challenge.

Just wanted to mention the website for English flashcards and posters SparkleBox for the ones it might interest. This website is used by primary schools so is sorted by topics. And…since I have used jelly beans for rewards…French homeworks are done willingly!

Nathalie, thank you for mentioning this website—it looks useful. And I’m glad to hear you’re having some success getting your kids to do their homework! Hooray for jelly beans!

I am quite impressed with the things you do with your children. I have taught my elder two to read in English – we use the Oxford reading tree https://global.oup.com/education/content/primary/series/oxford-reading-tree/?region=international

I had never heard of The Magic Tree House, but it looks great.

I usually try to get my children to talk to me about the homework they have from school – the homework itself is in Greek, their majority language, but we discuss it in English. This is easy when it comes to maths, of course, but things get a bit more complicated with language. Generally, I let their father go through Greek grammar exercises or whatever language activities they have with them in Greek, and then we do some English languages activities together. Mostly I invent my own exercises, although I do have a few ready-made books. I like your translating idea, and I plan to take that up!

I also make a point of reading to them and with them every day, although I had never thought of it as homework!

Alex, thank you for sharing your homework activities with your children. Our materials and methods will naturally change over time (as mine have somewhat since this post was made), but a persistent daily routine, with books and reading at the heart of our efforts, pays off significantly over time. In my case, it’s getting more difficult to maintain this routine as the children grow older—their school day is longer and they have heavier loads of homework in Japanese—but I still make homework in English a very high priority and it’s a rare day that our reading and writing activities are skipped entirely.

Wow! What a great idea to use translation practice! Somehow never occurred to me although I am a professional translator myself. This could be turned into a whole language arts program for both languages simultaneously. But would only work with a child who is very able linguistically, I think. Would love to learn more about your experience with this if you continue this practice. Thanks for a very interesting blog with tons of useful materials.

Lina, I’m glad the idea of using translation practice appeals to you! At some point, once I have more experience at this with my kids, perhaps I can devote a post to it. (One thing I hope to do, eventually, is implement “daily translation practice” where my kids are given a single “silly sentence” appropriate to their level—like, for my son, “I saw Daddy kissing a pig”—and must translate it from the majority language to the minority language (or vice versa). A single sentence wouldn’t take long to translate, but doing this daily would have a powerful impact over time.)

Incidentally, I touched on translation the other day in this post, which describes an essay my daughter wrote for school about her grandmother…

It’s Not About How Hard It Is, It’s About How Hard You Try

Adam, Maybe you’ve already delved into this in another post, but could you expand on the penpal aspect? Where did they find penpals? How long are the letters? What do they write about? Do you ever send penpal care packages? Seems like this would be a great way to engage their social as well as linguistic side for kids who are a bit more shy.

Celine, maintaining a pen-pal exchange definitely takes effort, from both parents and children, but it’s a great way to promote both the target language, and as you suggest, create broader connections in the world. I can’t say that my kids actually enjoy writing the letters—so my support and persistence is key—but they do like receiving them and they seem to accept that this won’t happen if they don’t continue writing! (The letters aren’t terribly long, and they generally just include recent news and responses to questions, as well as questions for the other person.)

Currently, our most active exchanges are with family members: my father, my mother, and my nephew (their cousin, who’s the same age as Lulu). So, even if you communicate with family members through other means, such as Skype, I would still recommend pursuing a regular letter-writing exchange, too. My parents, especially, are good about writing back promptly, and I try to stay pretty timely on this end, too, which means that my kids are writing letters to them (separately, since they live in different locations) about once every 4-6 weeks.

When children write to grandparents, they can also discuss rich topics that normally don’t arise in conversation, such as the grandparents’ memories of their own childhood. (I sent letters the other day to my mother where my kids are asking about her interest in drawing as a child, and also want her to draw some pictures of her cats for them!) And, of course, these letters from grandparents will one day be valuable keepsakes.

At the same time, we’ve managed to maintain, with less regularity, exchanges with three other families: two of these families are friends with children of similar ages, and the other—actually, our very first exchange, with Lulu—was born when I saw a family’s appeal for a pen-pal for their daughter in a Yahoo list that I subscribe to (see The Lively Virtual Community of “Education in Japan” ). They live in the United States, but they were looking for an English-speaking pen-pal who lives in Japan.

And, yes, particularly in our exchanges with other children, we do send little packages of gifts from time to time, like at birthdays and at Christmas. Even more than the letters, the packages always provide a boost of motivation for them to pick up their pencils and continue writing!

I have no idea how I missed this post before! Adam, you’ll never cease to amaze me with your creative ideas. A shame I can’t copy them easily since we don’t have the same minority language.

I’d like to establish a homework routine with my daughter (now 4) too, but I wouldn’t know when. She gets home from after-school day-care a bit before 6pm (Daddy picks her up), and I get home almost an hour after that. By then, she’s had her supper and is sometimes already in her pyjamas. Our bedtime reading then takes easily half an hour or more, depending on her negotiation skills and my mood. On days when I have training I get in one story before I leave and then another one or two (see above) when I get back at 9.30. (She never sleeps before 10pm, we’ve tried just about everything, and of course when I’m away she wants to wait for Mommy to come home.)

I don’t see her doing her “homework” in bed, and I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Actually I wrote my message about this yesterday when an Internet glitch ate it, and today I bought a special workbook in the back-to-school section of the supermarket that is for practising individual letters. That could be the start of her homework, she can already write the letters of her name (3 different ones) and a few more besides in print capitals. And she wants to learn to read. And she does sometimes draw in bed while listening to stories, so maybe that’s a place to start? But is it a good idea to do that in bed? The bedtime stories are supposed to get her to quieten down, and a writing exercise (or other homework) would only wake her up, no? (Not that the current quietening strategy is working…)

Mayken, yes, it sounds like time is tight. Not knowing the full details of your lifestyle, I can’t really judge what would be best, but I’m wondering if you could possibly squeeze in even five or ten minutes in the morning, instead of trying to establish a homework routine at night. Maybe it would work, but I could see it being tough to maintain, night after night. And that’s the thing, a homework routine, to be sustainable and effective, really needs to be a persistent practice, and this naturally becomes easier when there’s a regular rhythm of activity at roughly the same time each day.

Most useful post for me. I am doing with my older son some of these things. He has got a knack for puzzles!!! He loves trains. I always try to prepare homework connected with his interests. I am teaching phonics with “progressive phonics”, a free programme. We also begin to read three letter words families… During the last advent he did “dot to dot” worksheets every day. Anyway your posts support all that I am trying to do with my little ones!!!

Now I have a question for you!!! Some people around me says that I don’t have to teach English to my children, especially to read. According to them my kids can have difficulty at school with the majority language, Italian. What do you think about that? I know very well Italian and I am fluent in it more than in English. I am teacher here!!! Sometimes I have got the temptation to do both languages with my kids. Then I came to a conclusion: I will teach English and at school they will learn Italian. The Italian phonemic system is entirely different from English. Do you think that I have to use the translation method? I always refused it, even if my kids do it spontaneously! Please, clear my ideas!!! Thank you!!!

Reena, I’m glad this post is useful for you. It sounds like you and your son are doing well with your homework routine. Keep at it!

As for your question, because I don’t know Italian, I’m not sure how helpful I can be. I would say, though, that if you continue to nurture your children’s English literacy at home, they’ll likely still do just fine at acquiring Italian literacy at school. This isn’t something I would be concerned about, despite what well-meaning (but uninformed) people say. I’m sure there have been many parents, before you, who have been successful in fostering English at home, Italian at school.

And, generally speaking, I don’t think you’ll need to continuously translate the text for your children. If you choose books that are at an appropriate level, translation can be kept to a minimum.

You have some really great ideas. I live in The Netherlands and have brought up our 2 girls speaking English. They are now in grades 4 and 6. I have read aloud in English to them since birth. They can read a bit themselves, but I never took them any further with reading and writing because I found it so important for them to get a good grip on their main language of Dutch. Now I want more for them. I’ve looked at the Spectrum series. Is it best to start them on a grade or 2 below where they are currently or at their own age? What is your idea on that?

Carol, it’s important that the content of the book match your children’s language level and current needs. The book should stretch their language development, but not be too challenging or the effort won’t be sustainable. As I can’t really judge your children’s level, I would simply encourage you to look inside any book you’re interested in at Amazon (or another online retailer) and consider carefully whether that book is a suitable match. Imagine using it with them, day after day. Will it work? In my case, I don’t always make the best choices (and we don’t do every page of every book), but I do keep seeking out fresh materials by studying the content online and placing regular orders.

I would also encourage you to make active use of captive reading . This strategy has had a very positive impact on my children’s literacy development over the years.

We are not at the homework age yet since my daughter is only 14 months (although I do read aloud to her every day). I was wondering, though, how you get your kids to do EXTRA homework in addition to their school work? My niece and nephew, who are 8 and 10, have tons of homework!

Your site is awesome and I’m so glad I found it early on. I’ll be using a lot of your resources since our ml is also English. Do you have any book suggestions for the early ages (1 to 2 years)?

Heidi, I hope my work can continue to be a helpful source of support for your success. I look forward to hearing good news from you as time goes by!

To sustain a daily homework routine, I think it helps to start the process early, when the children are small so that this activity becomes a firm habit for everyone—including the minority language parent. If it isn’t like brushing your teeth—something that’s done reflexively every day—I think it’s much harder to maintain. At the same time, the amount and content must be appropriate for the child and as engaging as possible. Yes, a daily homework routine is a significant commitment, but if literacy in the minority language is an important aim, then the parent must make this a relentless priority—day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

As for books for little ones, we had a lot of fun with the board books by Sandra Boynton . You’ll also find a variety of ideas in this thread about English resources at The Bilingual Zoo.

Hi! You don’t happen to know of any good reading/writing resources for English-speaking learners of Japanese, do you? I guess I’m specifically looking for short reading comprehension passages with questions, or writing practice sheets with word banks like you have displayed above in English. All I can really find online or in the States are hiragana tracing worksheets and coloring sheets, but my kids (ages 6 and 4) can’t remember any hiragana for the life of them, even after tracing several times. (Well, plus there are so many hiragana, and my kids can’t stay focused long enough to trace/color more than one or two a day.)

Kelly, I’m afraid I don’t know much about Japanese materials for English-speaking children, but maybe Hiragana Mama could be helpful?

Also, the Japanese app from MindSnacks might be a useful resource. We have their Spanish app and it’s quite engaging.

In fact, recently I was looking into Japanese apps for myself, and found a much wider selection than I expected, so you may discover other useful apps for kids and/or adults at the App Store.

Good luck, Kelly! And ganbatte!

I’d love to start up a homework routine but think my daughter will run a mile if I get worksheets out as it’s too much like extra school. Sometimes she’ll do dot-to-dots or colouring/colour by numbers/letters and even sometimes pages from her Jolly Phonics workbooks if she’s in the mood. I’m trying to make it as much fun as possible/giving rewards but sometimes to no avail. She is pretty strong-willed or stubborn!! Any other tips for when she doesn’t want to do it? (She prefers to watch TV or play!!!)

Tracey, if she isn’t quite ready for sustained seatwork, you could try making similar literacy efforts in a more active way, to meet her current needs. One quick example: Spread out flashcards on the floor (letters, words, numbers, etc.) and take turns calling out a target for the other person to jump onto, from card to card. With some creative thought (and further ideas from sites that focus on “active language games”), your “homework routine” can start as a more playful and active time together, which perhaps ends with a little seatwork, too. (After she jumps about, maybe she’ll be better able to sit for a few minutes to do a quieter activity.) Then, as she matures, the active part can gradually decrease while the seatwork part increases!

Thanks Adam for all the great advice! Yes, that’s definitely a good idea but when she’s in her worst moods she doesn’t want to do anything I suggest, only watch TV or play the games she wants to play!! (I’m a TEFL teacher so have lots of ideas/games we can play although it seems more difficult sometimes to teach my own child!!…especially combining it with occupying her little brother at the same time!!) We did a great easy science experiment last week with Skittles and the past few days she has actually done some dot-to-dot/mazes/colouring etc and 2 Ebooks in English yesterday so feeling much more positive about it!!

Just keep at it, Tracey! All this will probably get easier as your children get older!

Here’s another link with further ideas for engaging activities (which may be useful with your students, too)…

96 Things You Can Do Today to Boost Your Child’s Bilingual Ability

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