How to Focus on Homework: Learn the skills of focused studying.

Homework is a nightly ritual that some kids have the hardest time with. In this post, I’m going to share six tips for focusing on homework or studying. Can the skills elementary kids learn on homework focus translate to the upper grades and college?

Tips to Staying Focused on Homework

I think it can be easy to have “blinders” on and just focus on the homework your child has now. BUT, you have to know that kids in high school DO have homework (and need it to really master the concepts) and College is much more homework than actual class time.

SO, learning to focus, and study well is a life skill you want to provide your kids.

If homework and routines are something you are struggling with — I’d recommend this course. A lot of family life is the mundane day-to-day tasks, like homework. You can smooth them out to make every day easier!

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Timing can Help with Homework Focus

I know it’s easy to think that kids should get home and start it, so they can move on to other activities, but sometimes that just doesn’t work.

In fact, I think most kids need a few minutes to chill out once they get home. Sometimes they’ve had a long walk or are hot or have emotions from the day they really need to process.

I mean, think about it — if you came home from a day at work. Do you like to drop your bag and immediately start cooking dinner (or working on MORE work?) NO! Give your kids some time to decompress.

Now, I really try to limit that time, and I think it’s different for each child.

Of course, my kids also have their own chores that they need to complete as well. So, if they have some physicality that they need to get out — they can do that cleaning their toilets. 🙂

Nutrition can Help You Focus on Homework

Getting a proper after school snack can really help.

Coming home to have a handful of Skittles is going to make it hard for your child to focus on anything. Things I love to see kids eating:

• A hearty cookie (I have a post on making after school cookies) — I love to add oats and raisins
• Yogurt
• If it’s hot, I offer the 100% juice/no dye otter pops (while I’m not a huge nazi on this, my kids — being in Arizona — have a lot of Otter Pops, so I try to limit the dye)
• Cereal — while we don’t normally eat cereal for breakfast, I think it can be a nice after school snack

**Pro Tip: Make sure your kid gets a glass of water when they come home as they often get dehydrated at school.

Music can Help with Homework Focus

I am a big believer in music helping us set the tone and be in the mod to do an activity.

In fact, on Saturdays, we do a family clean (which I talk about in this course) and I have a whole playlist that gets everyone pepped up!

Sometimes I have something fun on when they get home — hoping that if I have a grumpy bear coming in the door I can change it with some light tunes.

Then we change to something a little more classical.

I love stuff by the Piano Guys as it’s songs they know but also doesn’t distract them.

Supplies Can Help with Homework Focus

Having all the stuff near you that you need REALLY can help your homework focus. I did a whole post on our homework focus bin and it really helped.

Especially in the younger grades when kids really need a lot of stuff to do homework, like glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, etc.

Making sure your kids have the stuff they need, and quality supplies does help the “oh, I need to go get….” {30 minute laying on the floor in their room ensues}

Location Can Help You Get Focused on Homework

For my little kids, I like to have them near me. For my older kids I don’t mind that they are in their room. At that point, homework is really on them and we check grades to know how they’re doing.

However, that doesn’t mean you stop checking in with how classes are going, etc.

It’s just easier for them to focus in a quiet room. And, often they have to do it on the computer which limits the spots they can be in.

Appropriate Homework can help with Focused Studying

If your child is really having an issue with focused homework, I would talk to the teacher.

Most people recommend only 10 minutes of homework/grade level (including required reading). If it is taking over your night, that is NOT appropriate.

When I had one who had a really hard time with homework, I asked his teacher to help out with it. When he didn’t get it done, he missed some recess to finish it, and he decided he’d much rather miss his afternoon than recess, and suddenly — focusing on homework was easier.

Also, the teacher may be assigning homework that is too hard. You shouldn’t be teaching new concepts at home. Homework should just be reinforcing concepts they already know.

While I am still a mom who HAAAATES homework. I am learning to see the things they learn from it. And what they can gain from learning these skills early on as they go to college.

Although, honestly — my oldest was horrible at homework for the longest time. Now that he’s in college, he’s getting it together. So, even if your kid sucks at homework, and forgets to turn it in — there is hope. 🙂

BUT, if you’re still looking to get into a routine of it — I guarantee you’ll love Family Routines — it just helps simplify all those things you do every day!

If you liked this post, I think you’ll LOVE my practical parenting series — just some tips for easier parenting, and remembering priorities. Thousands of parents have loved it, and it’s totally free:

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