All Kinds of Clever

Homework has always been an aspect of mainstream schooling, but in today’s world of digital assignments and diverse learning profiles, it can often be more of a hassle than a help. For many children (and their parents) homework can be stressful, confusing and discouraging. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Creating an inclusive environment for learning at home is not about doing more, it is about doing things differently. Here are some of my tips as a teacher that can help you get into the rhythm of homework. 

Focus on the ‘why’ before the ‘what’ 

Children can be more motivated when they understand why they are doing an assignment. Teachers can help by clearly communicating learning aims, which parents can reinforce at home. Instead of asking ‘Have you done homework?’, you can rephrase this to ‘What did you learn today?’. This simple shift changes the focus from completion to comprehension. 

Set up a comfortable learning space

Before you go spending money at IKEA, it is important to note that a desk doesn’t work for every child. Some focus better on the couch, at the kitchen table or even lying on the floor. You can create a homework-friendly environment by:

• Minimising distractions such as turning off the TV or having phone calls in a different room
• Offering flexible seating options
• For learners with sensory differences, you can offer noise-cancelling headphones or fidget tools

Support executive function

Executive function skills include planning, organisation, focus and self-monitoring. You can foster these skills at home by breaking up tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For example, your child may be asked to write a story about their holiday. You can break this up into 

1. Planning and organisation. Use prompts such as Where did you go? What happened first? You can also use a story map with boxes for the setting, main characters, events and ending.
2. Sequencing the story. Break up the story into the beginning, middle and end. You may find a storyboard useful to implement this.

You also can use checklists or visual schedules.

Build routines that reduce stress

Routine gives children a sense of control, but this isn’t always achievable. You can set a consistent start time e.g after a snack once they get home from school or Sunday mornings. You can also set short working periods such as 20 minutes of work, followed by a movement break. Lastly, you can set a predictable end of homework activity such as screentime or playing outside. When homework becomes part of the weekly routine, its stops feeling like an endless chore.

Encourage productive struggle and self-advocacy

A lot of parents find that they jump in straight away to help children with their homework. However, a degree of productive struggle can build problem-solving skills, resilience and independence. Instead of giving children answers, you can ask

• Which part is confusing?
• What strategies have you tried?
• What can you do next? 

This is not to say that you can’t help children at all, but trying a more collaborative approach can help build confidence. 

Home-school communication

Teachers share the same goal as parents: helping students thrive. Teachers can make homework more inclusive by offering flexible formats or clarifying instructions. Parents can share insights about what is working and what is not working at home. When communication flows both ways, homework becomes a bridge rather than a battleground.