Many parents feel at a loss when it comes to homework: work keeps them late, the curriculum has changed since their own school days, or a subject such as mathematics or English is unfamiliar to them. Yet what children need first from their parents is not an explanation of the lesson. It is attention, structure and encouragement. This guide suggests simple actions, organised by how much time you have.
What really helps a child
Three things make the difference, whatever your own level of education:
- Regularity: a time for study every day, at roughly the same hour, is better than long irregular sessions.
- Showing interest: a child whose parents ask what they learned works more seriously.
- A calm setting: a cleared corner of a table, some light, the television off and the phone put away while working.
If you have five minutes a day
Even when you get home late, five minutes are enough for real follow-up. Ask the same simple questions every evening:
- "What did you learn today?" Ask them to explain it in a few sentences. If they can, they have understood. If they get stuck, that is a useful signal.
- "What do you have to do for tomorrow?" Look at the homework diary or planner together.
- "Is it done?" You do not have to mark it: just check that the work exists.
If you get home after your child is in bed, these questions can be asked in the morning, or handed over to an older sibling, a grandparent or a trusted neighbour. What matters is that someone takes an interest every day.
If you have half an hour, two or three times a week
- Leaf through the exercise books. Look at the marks, the teachers' comments and unfinished exercises. You do not need to understand the content to notice that a notebook has been empty for two weeks.
- Have them recite. A history lesson, a grammar rule, a vocabulary list: all you need to do is hold the notebook and check that what they say matches what is written.
- Plan the week. On Sunday, look together at the homework and tests coming up, and help them spread the work across the days.
When you are not comfortable with the subject
It is normal not to know how to solve a 3e equation or not to speak English. It is not an obstacle. Here is how to help without knowing the answer:
- Ask questions rather than give answers. "What is the exercise asking you?", "Is there an example in your lesson?", "What have you tried already?" Often, children find the answer on their own while explaining.
- Send them back to the lesson. Most exercises rely on a lesson or an example seen in class.
- Encourage them to write down their questions. What they did not understand can be asked of the teacher the next day. That is something to praise, not to be ashamed of.
- Find someone to take over. An older sibling, a serious classmate, a tutor or reliable online resources can explain what you cannot.
On the other hand, avoid doing the homework for them. A perfect piece of work that is not theirs does not help them, and the teacher loses the chance to see where they are stuck.
Reading the warning signs
Some signs deserve your attention:
- marks dropping clearly in one or more subjects;
- a child who always says "I don't have any homework";
- unusual tiredness, lack of sleep or heavy phone use in the evening;
- a sudden loss of interest in school, or absences.
In these cases, first talk calmly with your child, then do not hesitate to meet the form teacher or the school's supervisor. A problem spotted early is much easier to solve.
The power of encouragement
Criticism rarely brings progress. Encouragement makes children want to keep going. Praise effort and regularity, not just the mark: "You worked every evening this week, well done" is a powerful message. When a mark is poor, look with them at what did not work and what they can change next time.
The phone: a tool, not only a distraction
A phone can waste hours, but it can also be used to learn. Set clear rules: no phone during homework except for a study app, phone kept out of the bedroom at night. Take an interest in what they do on it, without watching over them constantly. A child who knows their parents follow their online work uses it more seriously.
In short
| Time available | What you can do |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes a day | Ask what they learned, what they have to do, whether it is done |
| 30 minutes, a few times a week | Leaf through notebooks, have them recite, plan the week |
| When a difficulty appears | Ask questions, find someone to take over, meet the teacher |