Get Out of the Bad-Grades Rut - How to Start a Good Homework Routine

Starting something is not easy. Making something a habit is hard.

Bad habits are easy to catch; good habits are hard to establish.
This is a fact that the experts are trying to aid by their studies and research. The parents, as the guiding force behind the child, should also give allowances during the first days or weeks.
Starting a good Homework routine or study habits mean self-discipline.

It's like starting an exercise regimen where in you have to force yourself to begin. The resistance is there.

As a Teacher and at the same time a mother, the following steps were and are proven effective to the students in their homework, study habits, and of course, their grades: · A particular time should be chosen.
The mother and the child should agree on the time the child should have his/her study hour.
· No other work should be assigned to the child.

It should be understood that during this study hour, the child's attention and time should be to study and do his homework. No tasks yet for doing anything for the household chores.
Maybe, before and after but not during.

This time should be focus to the goals being set.
· Someone should be in attendance.
During the first days or weeks, depending on the progress of the child, or his self-discipline, someone should always be present.
Not only to help him practice this habit but to aid him in his assignments.
· An incentive (optional) can be given.
A reward for the"good deeds" of the child can be given after a week of accomplishments or after some time. Sometimes, a child asks something from his parent, and this is a good "give and take" time.
The gifts shouldn't appear as the primary objective of the habit-forming study hours but just one of the motivating factors to enhance the child's school grades and performance.
· Snacks or foods should not be taken during study period.

The child should eat before. Eating during the "session" will lessen the attention that should be given to the task on hand. · Checking with the Teachers.

The progress of the child, in his grades and class performance can be monitored by his teachers.

A weekly monitoring or maybe a progress report can be asked from the teacher from time to time, depending on the parent-teacher agreement.
After a month of this guided study period of the child, a big improvement will be noticed.

The homework routine will be easy by now and the child will automatically get on with his daily study habit, and the reward follows; the good grades.