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MNHQ

Talk to Explore Learning about helping your DCs with their homework - you could win a £250 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

237 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 09/09/2014 13:06

We've been asked by Mumsnet Family Friendly Innovation Award winners, Explore Learning, to find out about Mumsnetters' experiences with helping their DCs with their homework.

Explore Learning say "As a tuition provider, it's our aim to teach children skills that are directly transferable to the classroom, and give them confidence to tackle their work at school (we don't set any extra homework for our members to do). We also aim to reduce the stress for parents at homework time, and would like to find out more about what would make lives easier for mums and dads when it comes to helping or encouraging their kids."

So, how - if at all - do you help your DCs with their homework? Do you sit with them while they work on it? Or if your DCs are older, do you just leave them to it? What are the challenges when it comes to homework? When's the best time to tackle it? Are there any subjects which you find it harder to help your DCs with? Where's the best place to do it in your home?

Whatever your experiences of helping your DCs with their homework, Explore Learning would love to hear about it.

Every MNer who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw, where one winner will receive a £250 Love2Shop voucher.

Please note your comments may be included on Explore Learning's social media channels, and possibly elsewhere, so please only post if you're comfortable with this.

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

OP posts:
littleme96 · 20/09/2014 18:26

My Daughter is in Year 1 and has a couple of bits of homework a week - one linked to a spelling rule and another linked to a book and comprehension.

I enjoy sitting down and doing it with her and I think she enjoys it too, although we have to time it right! A snack first is essential! I am actually looking forward to bigger project work when she's a bit older as I used to really like that when I was younger.

gabbyevs · 20/09/2014 18:48

will sit down and read with them tv off so we can concentrate

suewho · 20/09/2014 18:57

Homework was fine whilst my son was very young as it mainly consisted of spellings and reading. As he got slightly older I found it hard to help him with maths as the way he was taught to work things out differed to how I was taught many years ago. I'm aware that some schools offer parent workshops to provide guidance on modern teaching methods and I would have welcomed the opportunity to attend something similar at the start of my school's schooling as this would have given me more confidence to help with homework.
Whilst I think homework is a good thing, I believe that for primary aged children it should simply be a reinforcement of what they have learnt in school and the amount given should be appropriate for the age of the child and never be too onerous.

cazzzie987 · 20/09/2014 19:01

We have set times to sit down and do homework, I help them if they need it and they sometimes get treats if they work hard showing them that working hard does have rewards.

Tanfastic · 20/09/2014 19:05

I have to sit with my ds and explain and try and keep him focused. He is six and lacks focus and concentration so couldn't do it on his own. Maths homework makes me want to gouge my eyes outConfused. But it has to be done Grin

KittyKat88 · 20/09/2014 19:14

My DD has just started 'big' school but the plan is to tackle homework after school and before tea-time. I think the longer it is left the harder it is to tackle something. The dining room is the best place as we can spread out at the table, and I will initially sit with my DD to help her as required, and I hope that this will set the example as she gets older and grows more independent.

janeyf1 · 20/09/2014 19:24

I encourage my DC to try to complete as much of their homework on her own as she can and then I sit with her to check it through together and complete the rest. I am finding she is able to compete more and more on her own each time, although we found it helpful to bring extra work home to work through maths exercises over the weekend.

alsproject · 20/09/2014 19:35

I always look at the homework that is given to my children and will try to help by looking it up using other resources

mave · 20/09/2014 19:48

She reads really well but I struggle to motivate her to red every day other than when she has homework. My husband and I have decided no TV in the week, she must read or do art or homework and have no distractions. I also find maths a pain as get frustrated when she doesn't get it quickly as she's very bright! She's 9 by the way!

ThemisA · 20/09/2014 20:28

Each child is different, some need you there and like to have company and encouragement whilst others prefer a quiet desk in an office/bedroom. I find my help is appreciated when the children are not too tired but if they have a deadline after a long. tiring day they are simply not receptive to learning.

I try to make sure they have eaten something and had some relaxation and I have cut down on after school activities because it just all gets too much.

sarah861421 · 20/09/2014 20:39

I found that often they just wanted company and moral support whilst they did their work, little point in marking and correcting it as their teacher needs to know their level, The hardest part was giving them "ideas" for stories etc

feefeegabor · 20/09/2014 20:43

My (rather large) collection of Ladybird Books has been invaluable in helping my DC with her homework! Whatever the subject - history, science, the Royal Family, I have a Ladybird book about it!

Sarn1234 · 20/09/2014 20:48

My oldest son now 23 did all his homework himself with a little help from us, but once he was in year 9 he didn't need help and he went on to get 11 Gcses. My next son now 18 would never sit still for you to help and if you did force him to sit and do 'Maths' which he hated the book and the pen was usually flung on the floor with a tantrum. He finished school with a few Gcses but was brilliant at drama and is staring uni on monday doing performing arts! My youngest, my daughter 12 does all her homework herself and sometimes asks for a little help which we give her but mostly gets on with it. I think all children are different and what works for some doesn't for others.

Minnibix · 20/09/2014 20:49

I am happy to spend time with my children doing their homework but they seem to be getting more and more, some nights it can take 1 1/2 which after they have had their tea does not give them long to relax before bedtime

Barbeasty · 20/09/2014 21:01

DD has just started reception so is just getting worksheets for writing the sound they learnt that day or the blending for the weekend.

The main thing for me is to get DD doing it as soon as she gets home and getting it out of the way- that's a good habit I never had!

NancyCracker · 20/09/2014 21:01

DS1 has just started Year 1. He gets reading books, maths and spelling each week. We do the spellings a few times a week together (I dig with him whilst he does it). He does the maths online (I sit with him whilst he does it, and as advised by the teacher, get out buttons or beads to help "count on" or "count off" if he struggles with the harder problems). He reads the books to me.

I think it's a huge jump from Reception, but I enjoy helping him and knowing which stage he is at.

wobblywindows · 20/09/2014 21:09

When I found out my DD was struggling with her Maths GCSE course, I got her an Aircom cdrom to work on. There is a daunting amount on it, so I said every time she completed a chapter (including the test) and got above 50% she got extra pocket money. Then later it was 75% for extra pocket money. She liked computers and was happy working on her own.

jayz268 · 20/09/2014 21:32

I enjoy exploring and learning about the subjects with my children, though it is frustrating at times, when they're reluctant to do their homework.

nessa46 · 20/09/2014 21:33

my DD(9) has just started yr5 at primary,i think the homework is a struggle sometimes,especially when the weather is nice and she wants to play. homework comes in on Friday to be done by Monday for a special mark, or last day to be in weds.we usually do literacy on Saturday,maths on sunday,and reading everday,i think there is too much for over the weekend,and I feel like a bad guy making her do it before she can play with friends.i think personally most of it should be done at school.

Keletubbie · 20/09/2014 21:33

I bloody love homework time. Fresh list of assignments received on Friday - we get to build a model ferry!

I honestly love homework - when I ask my DD what happened at school today, I get a few words about the academics and a lengthy discussion of who had contraband crisps in their lunchbox and what was played at break time. Homework is my in-road.

And I love all Blue Peter style activities.

I can't say I'll stay this fond of homework - DD is only 6 - but right now we love it!

hannonle · 20/09/2014 21:41

Sitting at the table is a good habit to get in to straight away. I can tell when he is in the mood and when he isn't and we do it easier and happier when in the mood. We sit together but give praise and helpful comments and any mistakes aren't that big of a deal. He's only just started yr2. If he wants to do it by himself then that's fine but still sitting at the table. We look over it together afterwards.

telsa · 20/09/2014 21:46

With my 6 year old and 9 year old I have to sit at the table with the, jollying them along the whole time.it is always agony and filled with a lot of whining.

gamerwidow · 20/09/2014 22:07

DD has just started reception and I find it very hard to get her to maintain interest in her homework. Even getting her to read her book everynight can be a struggle because shes so tired.

arat · 20/09/2014 22:22

Easy to sum up homework in one word - frustrating!
It's not so bad when the homework has some point to it like spellings or maths, but when it's pointless and poorly worded it gets very frustrating for DC and for me. (eg this weeks - make a model of a sundial where the instructions were wrong!)

sam2kids1 · 20/09/2014 23:00

I love helping my children with their homework and feel it is important for them to just not forget about what they learning at school and to carry it on at home if need be.It gets us together as a family helping each other when we can(my eldest daughter helps the youngers) and i also believe it takes a little strain off the teachers who are having a hard time at the moment with schools that are bursting and government cuts etc.
I know quite alot of parents at my childrens school do not agree with homework but imo it will help your child progress further and learn bringing work home is not a bad thing but a good 1 (we dont always leave work at work i have brought alot of work home with me to finish!!) teach them early :)