Parents’ Tips for Handling
Homework Hassles
Parents of children with LD and ADHD share their tips for dealing with the age-old problem of homework.
- Make it a (non-negotiable) routine.
Set aside a specific time to do homework every day. Experiment to find what works best for your child: Is it when she first gets home from school? After an hour of unwinding? After dinner? - Break it down
For a long-term project, break the task down into manageable parts. Together create a realistic timetable for completing each part. - Put it on paper
Keep a weekly calendar of assignments, and let your child check them off as they’re completed. It not only provides a measure of satisfaction, but it’s a continual reminder of where he stands. - Get organized
Devote the first few minutes to reviewing assignments together to make sure your child understands what’s expected. During that time, gather the necessary materials and brainstorm strategies for attacking difficult assignments. - Work with the teacher
Have the teacher provide you with material to be covered the following week (spelling, math, etc.). Kids with learning disabilities often respond better when given extra time to prepare. - Dig out the yellow marker
Buy the books or photocopy essential materials so your child can highlight important information as she reads. - Be the assistant
If writing is a problem, have your child dictate to you at first. That way he can focus on generating ideas rather than on the mechanics of writing. - Join the homework club
Find out if your school has an after-school homework club. Doing it right after school means your child doesn’t have to change gears from school to home and back to schoolwork again. Plus someone else gets to be the homework police.