Primary Homework Help
Supporting your child with writing homework
We all know how children can feel about homework, particularly if they have additional learning challenges such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or neurodevelopmental conditions that can affect their attention span such as ADHD. However, as well as supporting your child with the school learning experience, helping your child with their writing homework can also be a great way to boost confidence. Here is a different approach to make any writing task a more collaborative, enjoyable experience for you and your child:
Pick the right time and place
Pick a time when your child is naturally more alert and focused - for example, you might find the morning better than in the evening after school. Also, choose a place where you and your child can feel relaxed but not distracted. The kitchen table isn’t always the best environment, especially if other family members and pets are around! Finally, make sure you have everything you need to hand. For instance paper, and any reference materials you might need.
Get them engaged
How do you feel when confronted with a blank page and a document to write? Why do we expect our children to write/create from a blank page?! Even worse - whilst we’re watching them? I don’t know about you but I go to pieces and make all sorts of mistakes when I have someone watching over my shoulder! The objective here is to get them engaged in the process of writing for the fun of it, before they tackle their homework. Here are a couple of exercises you can try:
Summarising information task
Read an interesting description of something in a book, grab pens or pencils, and draw any details that you remember – stick men will do! You can do this in the form of 1 big drawing or a few pictures, even a comic strip.
Next, share the pictures with each other and discuss the details you have added and why.
If your child is ready, ask them to start writing sentences about each picture.
If your child is competitive, make it into a game and tell them that you are also going to try and write about your pictures. Who is going to write more or add more of the target features?
Lastly, share your writing with each other and chat about what you both like.
Story task
You could also do a twist on the above and create a plan or ‘story’ of the description together – the key is to keep it simple, for example, 3 pictures for the beginning, middle, and end.
All you need to do is provide a sentence starter for each picture and give them a word bank of adjectives and interesting vocabulary.
If drawing isn’t their jam, give them a comic strip for inspiration!
Help them build a plan
Once your child feels more confident and motivated by the initial fun task, it’s time to build a plan for their homework. Look at the instructions they have been given and help your child understand the assignment by breaking it into smaller, more accessible steps. If it's a creative writing assignment, you could brainstorm ideas together to get their juices flowing. If it’s something more complex, you could help them create a list of resources such as websites or books they might need to reference first, or brainstorm an outline plan they could work towards.
Encourage them and celebrate their process!
As best you can, try to avoid giving them the answers and instead ask guiding questions to encourage them to think critically. Once they've finished writing, help them proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity, guiding them toward correcting their own mistakes as much as you can. Finally, decide how you’ll celebrate afterward and don’t forget to praise their hard work and effort, not just the final piece of work.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to equip your child with the tools to become confident and independent writers, not just to complete their homework! By providing your loving support and guidance, you can help them develop a love for language and learning - giving them some incredible skills they’ll take with them for the rest of their lives.