Children may begin to receive homework assignments as early
as Kindergarten. Oftentimes in these early educational years, it falls to the
parents to motivate children to finish their homework. Even in the later part
of a child’s education, he or she may need structure and guidance. Some
families choose the time directly after school to get homework done for the
day. Others feel it may be better to allow children to decompress after a long
day of concentration and constant social interaction. Should a child complete
homework before or after dinner? The answer to that question depends upon the
dinner, extracurricular activities, and bed times for each family. Determine
which times are best for your child to sit down to homework. Once a routine is
established, there should be less fighting about getting it done, fewer
homework assignments turned in late, and happier parents and children.
A dinner schedule that works for the whole family is
beneficial to everyone. Predictable meal times will encourage children to
refrain from ruining their appetite with snacking. Children and parents should
work together to put dinner on the table for a family meal. For some families
that might mean one person either cooks or picks up food on the way home.
Someone else then sets the table, and another family member fills drink cups.
Bedtime is another aspect of the afterschool routine that
should be consistent. Younger students require more supervision and earlier
bedtimes. Whether you incorporate a time for reading together or alone,
children will benefit from an opportunity to lie quietly and cultivate the
habit and skill of reading for pleasure.
Afterschool routines may change from year to year and from
family to family as there are many factors involved such as age, siblings, and
parents’ work schedules. Maintaining a consistent and reliable routine will
give your child a feeling of stability during the formative years of his or her
youth.
