When Is It Time For Homework Help?

It’s not surprising that many kids put off homework for as long as possible. When they get home from school, dealing with more school is probably the last thing on their minds! But over time, this can affect their learning, as well as their progress in school. So when is it worth worrying about—and when should you consider getting homework help?

Some kids may thrive in the classroom, but struggle when completing homework. That’s because homework depends on an additional set of skills related to independent learning, such as setting goals and self-motivation. This can be tough on all learners—those who do well in school and those who struggle.

Unfortunately, homework challenges may have been compounded by remote learning from the past few years. Research shows that many students, particularly those in earlier grades, have experienced setbacks in math, reading, and other key subjects. They may need additional support for school and homework help.

With that in mind, let’s review why homework is an important aspect of learning—as well as exploring options for homework help, like brain training.  

Homework Help and Identifying Common Homework Struggles

Why Homework Matters

When your child has spent the entire day in school, it’s easy to feel like they deserve a break by the time they’re home. And while it’s important for kids to rest and recharge, homework plays an important role in learning and skill-building:

• Independent learning.
  Homework allows students to spend more time internalizing the concepts and materials learned in class. It also gives them the opportunity to learn independently—a skill they’ll need throughout their lives.
  
• Organization.
  In order to complete homework effectively, students must be organized. They need to keep track of different subjects and deadlines and have notes they can find easily. Being organized can help them stay on track no matter what they’re doing.
  
• Setting goals.
  Homework requires motivation, goal-setting, and time management. Students must allocate enough time to complete the work and then motivate themselves to finish it. These abilities will truly benefit them in all different aspects of life.

Does Your Child Need Homework Help?

Most kids don’t relish the thought of homework—so how do you know when your child is experiencing deeper difficulties? Here are a few potential signals that your learner may need homework help:

• They spend too little or too much time on it.
  If your child is spending excessive time on their homework, it can be a sign of underlying difficulties or trouble managing time. Likewise, if they spend little or no time on homework, they may benefit from homework help. 
  
• They experience anxiety about school.
  When students struggle with homework, it can provoke newfound anxiety or stress around school. If they start avoiding the topic of school, or exhibit distress at the thought of class, you may want to delve deeper.    

• You’re seeing a change in their grades.
  If your learner’s grades begin to slip, that may be an easy way to spot that they’re having a tough time. Even if that’s not happening, it’s worth checking in with their school to see how they’re progressing.

Brain Training To Boost Study and Homework Skills

How do you make sure your learner gets the homework help they need? One option is brain training at LearningRx!

We personalize our approach based on the needs and abilities of every unique learner. That means we’ll first assess your child’s skills and strengths, as well as where they need support. From there, we’ll develop a customized plan to help them target, train, and improve their skills!

Brain training works by targeting underlying cognitive skills, such as focus and working memory—crucial skills needed for learning. Students work on strengthening those skills where they struggle, in addition to picking up practical strategies for organization and time management.

Through our one-on-one training programs, students and parents alike have reported notable improvements in academic achievement and self-esteem. We make it easier for students to tackle homework with confidence and improved skills!

Learn more about the differences between brain training and other forms of homework help, like tutoring. Call LearningRx at 866-BRAIN-01 to start a conversation about your child’s needs, or visit us online today.