This learning tip is aimed at parents who are looking for ways to effectively help their children with their homework. Instead of arbitrarily spreading homework over the whole afternoon – a method that often leads to procrastination, frustration and a feeling of being overwhelmed – we suggest introducing a fixed and clearly defined time slot of around 30 minutes a day.
During this time slot, parents become active learning partners rather than passive supervisors. They accompany their child in a focussed way during learning, offer support with comprehension questions and help to overcome challenges. The focus is clearly on working in a concentrated, structured and effective manner during these 30 minutes. In practice, this often proves to be much more productive than hours of unstructured learning, which is characterised by numerous interruptions, distractions and a loss of concentration.
In order to increase the child’s acceptance and motivation, it is ideal if the child is allowed to have a say in determining this time slot. This co-determination strengthens the child’s sense of responsibility for their own learning process and can significantly increase their inner motivation to dedicate themselves to their homework. By being actively involved in the planning, the child feels taken more seriously and is more willing to actually use the agreed time for learning.
The aim of this method is to create a relaxed yet goal-orientated learning atmosphere through a clear structure, shared commitment and active parental support. This atmosphere should be free of unnecessary pressure and anxiety and instead be characterised by mutual respect, trust and the common goal of successfully mastering the learning material. This not only promotes learning success, but also a positive relationship between parent and child. It is conceivable, for example, to start the 30 minutes with a short ritual to sharpen the focus and end it with a small, shared sense of achievement to maintain motivation.