5 Tips to Help Your Middle Schooler Develop Good Homeworking Habits

Ah, homework. A bone of contention in many a household.

While some people (and many school kids) argue that homework is a bad thing, it’s an unavoidable part of most school curricula.

So, getting your kids to develop smart homework habits can really help them to overcome the challenges, and make the most of the benefits, posed by their homework assignments.

Getting into a good routine means homework gets completed on time. Kids get to enjoy their evenings and weekends. And parents might even get away with having to nag a little less.

Sounds good? Then read on…

Why middle schoolers need good homework habits

Whatever your opinion on homework, by the time kids reach middle school, there’s really no escape from it. And actually, at this age, there’s a lot to be gained from a little independent study out of school hours.

Completing homework to a good standard requires self-discipline, time management, problem-solving, and independent learning skills. Developing abilities in these areas helps middle schoolers to achieve success in school, further education, and beyond.

Homework also gives kids the opportunity to practice concepts they’ve been learning in class before new material is introduced.

With good homework habits, kids will find it easier to complete the work they’ve been set. Kids will complete their homework more quickly too, thus making time for the things they undoubtedly prefer doing – like playing, socializing with friends, and enjoying some well-deserved chilling out time.

5 tips for good homework habits

1.   Agree on a schedule

“Agree” is the operative word. Your middle schooler is much more likely to stick to a homework schedule if they’ve had a say in it.

Together, figure out whether they like to get their homework out of the way as soon as they get home. Or if they prefer a little downtime after school before hitting the books again. Then set aside some time each day for them to work on their assignments.

You could also give kids a “when-then” option to up their motivation. For example, “When you’ve finished your homework, then you can play video games”. Having something to look forward to when work is done can help kids stick to the task at hand.

2.   Create a homework space

Good homework habits come much easier when kids have a conducive environment in which to work. That could be a desk in their bedroom or the family office. Or just a clear space at the kitchen table.

Other homework space essentials include a comfortable chair, good lighting, and quiet. It’s really easy for kids to become distracted by noisy screens and non-homeworking siblings!

Make sure all necessary equipment is within easy reach of your designated homework space and kids will have one less reason to procrastinate over their work.

3.   Be available to help

Disclaimer: we’re not advocating staying up all night making your kids’ scale model of the Titanic look as realistic as is humanly possible.

You definitely shouldn’t be doing your kids’ homework for them. If you do, they miss out on all of the problem solving, independent learning skills they get from working things out by themselves.

However, there’s a fine line to tread. You don’t want to leave your kid struggling and disheartened by their homework either. If they regularly feel this way, they’re going to become more frustrated by the idea of homework and less inclined to give it a go. 

The answer? If you can, be available to lend a helping hand when your child really needs it. You could arrange for kids to do their homework in the same room as you. Perhaps they could work in the kitchen if you’re cooking dinner. Or in the home office if you have some work to do too.

That way they can ask for help without feeling that you’re hovering over them. And you can encourage them to figure things out alone before stepping in.

4.   Assess their homework habits

Being in the same room as your child as they do their homework has another benefit. You get to see their homework study habits in action.

Does your child get distracted by alerts on their phone? Have they made adequate notes on the task assigned? Does homework for a particular subject always pose a problem?

When you discover the obstacles your kid faces when it comes to completing homework, you’re better placed to help them.

Together you can develop strategies to improve their homework habits – whether that’s leaving their phone in their room or chatting with their teacher about the concepts they’re struggling with.

5.   Give positive feedback

A little praise works wonders. Finding the motivation to sit down and do yet more work after a full day at school can be tough for kids.

When your child successfully completes their homework, give lots of positive feedback. You could even offer rewards for completing a large or complex project.

Your encouragement can have a really positive effect on homework habits and how your child views their studies going forward.

Should homeschool kids get homework?

Many homeschool parents ask themselves if homework is really necessary. You’re able to work at the pace of your child so any additional practice can be incorporated into the standard homeschool day.

Nevertheless, there are arguments for including homework within a homeschool curriculum.

Looking over completed homework allows you to gauge your child’s understanding of a particular topic. Also, when you’ve provided all of the relevant input, homework gives kids a chance to practice what they have learned, developing their independent learning skills in the process.

It’s up to you how you incorporate homework into the school day. If you’d prefer to follow a traditional schedule, encouraging kids to do their homework after their homeschool day has ended, most of the tips on homework habits above remain relevant.

A few extra pointers. Be sure to choose useful and engaging tasks like science projects, KidsKonnect worksheets, or field trips. And give them a little time to do their own thing in between the school day ending and homework starting.