In previous blog posts we have shared strategies to help your student tackle their homework with confidence. While these basic strategies work for students of all ages, older students benefit from some different strategies. This article focuses on how to support your student as they transition from elementary school to middle school. This change brings with it a new set of academic challenges. One of those challenges is the increased homework load, which can sometimes feel overwhelming for students and parents alike. Supporting your middle school student through this phase is crucial for their academic success, as well as their overall well-being. Below, find five practical strategies to help your child manage and complete their homework effectively.
1. Create a Structured Routine
Routine, routine, routine. If you’ve read our recent articles, you’ve read about how to create a routine. A homework routine can make a world of difference for you and your student. Including your student in the process is incredibly important so that they are willing to participate. Involving your child also gives them a sense of ownership with the plan that they helped create, thus making it more likely that they will stick with the routine. A homework routine should include a specific time and place (that is free from distractions). It would be helpful for the space to be well-lit and have all of the necessary supplies (e.g., pencils, pens, highlighters, calculator, etc.) at their fingertips.
2. Encourage and Support Time Management Skills
Middle school is a time when students are expected to manage their time independently and effectively. By keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and daily activities, students can prioritize homework and schedule their time effectively. Planning ahead can help reduce last-minute cramming sessions and the stress of missing deadlines or working into the wee hours of the morning.
Want to learn more about how to manage your (and your student’s) time? Watch How to Manage Your Time with Eric Tivers on the How to ADHD Channel on YouTube.
3. Be Available
Your role as their adult is to support them. Sometimes that support can look like allowing them to struggle a bit, perhaps become frustrated, and work through to figure it out. Try to remain available to answer questions or provide guidance yet encourage them to solve the problem independently. This helps build their confidence and critical thinking skills. This approach can also help to foster a growth mindset (which encourages a positive attitude when faced with challenges). Praising their hard work in figuring out the problem and helping your student to see a mistake as a learning opportunity can further reinforce a growth mindset. If a specific subject is difficult for your child, consider finding a tutor or encouraging your student to meet with their teacher for extra support rather than stepping in directly.
4. Encourage Healthy Habits
Physical and emotional well-being is closely linked to academic performance. Help your student get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, and take breaks during study sessions. Explore with your student adding in short, enjoyable breaks into their study schedule. This could be a 5-minute walk or a call with a friend. A break can refresh their mind and help improve productivity. Physical activity is also helpful in supporting focus and managing the new stresses of middle school.
5. Promote Self-Advocacy
Encourage and support your student in taking responsibility for their own learning. If they have a question that you can’t help answer, discuss with them who can help them. Is their teacher available before school? Does their teacher have office hours? Who do they know in their class that they could seek help from. Practicing and building self-advocacy skills will be invaluable as they continue in school and will also aid them into the future. However cheesy it might feel, you and your student could role play different scenarios about how they might ask their teacher for help.
Supporting your new middle schooler with homework is a collaborative process that starts with creating a routine, supporting their time management, and supporting a growth mindset. By implementing these strategies, you can help your student develop essential skills that will not only aid them in their middle school endeavors but also prepare them for future challenges.
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