Key takeaways
- Involvement of parents in homework can alleviate stress for children, shifting the focus from criticism to support and motivation.
- Parental engagement fosters better self-esteem and discipline in students, leading to higher aspirations and motivation towards education.
- Home learning activities facilitated by parents offer valuable opportunities for autonomous learning and critical thinking, contributing significantly to children's intellectual development.
Some children may panic at the thought of their parents involving themselves in their homework process, but it can be helpful rather than stressful.
The involvement of parents in their child’s schooling life and homework process is never taken lightly for a child, they tend to be weary of ‘the nagging parent’ or having someone looking over their shoulder to monitor what they’re getting up to. Children may fear being told off for answering a question incorrectly or for not working as hard as they could be; maybe this does happen and many children are getting criticized daily, making the completion of homework stressful for the child.
Yet maybe children (of all ages) should take a minute to think about why their parents may be on their case… The answer to this is that a parent wants nothing but the best for their child and wants to make sure they get what they deserve!
How parents can help students learn
Young people should definitely study for themselves so that they can reap the rewards of their own hard work, but, when they can feel the support and engagement of their parents, they tend to have better self-esteem and a stronger sense of self-worth as they have their parents there to praise and reward their strengths whilst giving feedback on their weaknesses to help their child overcome it. These children can develop a certain discipline and show higher aspirations and motivation in regards to school and homework.
Having a helping hand at home can help kids develop a positive attitude towards school and as a result, they become motivated to perform better. After all, going to school and sitting in classes with teachers that are looking to engage you in their subject is one thing, but having a parent explain the importance of going to school and obtaining a good education and how it can impact their future is another; a parent presents a child with the long term effects and can act as an example in their own actions.
It gives the child a little perspective as to the point of learning and teaches them to appreciate school and homework as they can gain an understanding that present sacrifice and dedication can have big future results. Parents can have a more personal touch in teaching and inspiring their children due to their immense influence over their child’s life and this can be projected positively in their academic development; they can act as the child’s most honest critics and greatest fans.
Parent and caregiver involvement: A critical component to student outcomes
Home learning
Home learning activities presented by parents is just as important for children’s intellectual development as the conventional methods of sitting in a classroom surrounded by books and absorbing information. Parents can present their child with a different strategy or outlook in conducting and completing their homework; they are not teachers (unless they are), therefore they are not there to ‘spoonfeed’ the child the answers, they are not experts in the studied subjects, they allow the child to learn autonomously.
Instead of the child turning to them with questions that they are unsure of the way they would with a teacher, the child will have to attempt the answer themselves, and if they still present a level of confusion, then they will have to conduct their own research in the question. Just because they are leaving the child to get on with it, it doesn’t mean they are any less engaged.
How can parents contribute to the development of life skills that positively affect their child's behavior?
Conclusion
It's clear that parental involvement in homework isn't just about monitoring or critiquing; it's about offering support, encouragement, and a different perspective. While it's understandable that some kids might feel uneasy about their parents jumping into their homework, it's essential to recognize that this involvement can alleviate stress and foster a more positive learning environment.
When parents engage with their children's education, they not only provide valuable support but also instill important values like discipline and self-worth. By encouraging autonomy and critical thinking through home learning activities, parents play a crucial role in their children's intellectual development.
Author: Nabeelah Bulpitt
Posted: 11 Feb 2020
Estimated time to read: 6 mins
