School can be a very exciting time in a child's life as well as a stressful one.
Helping your child to succeed is critical to their future and as parents we want the best for them.
These 5 homework ideas are just a few steps that can be taken to assist your child in doing their best and enjoying it in the process.

1. The homework and study area should be quiet for the child.
   Remove any and all distractions from the room the child is using for homework.
   Turn off the TV and radio, and remove playing siblings to another area of the home so they will not be sidetracked.
   Try to give them the same space to do their homework every day, whether it is the kitchen table or their own desk in their room.
   Familiarity and routine will help them succeed.
   
2. Make sure they have a comfortable environment for learning.
   Is there enough light for the child? Is the desk or table at the right height? If they are uncomfortable they will tire quickly and not want to stay and do their homework.
   If they have to reach or if the chair is hard try using a pillow on the seat for them to sit on.
   The more comfortable they are the longer they'll want to stay put.
   
3. Snack first.
   Are they hungry? Make sure they've had a healthy snack before starting and plenty of water to hydrate them.
   Our brains work better when we've been fed and our thirst is quenched.
   Keep a water bottle handy so they can sip as they are completing their work.
   
4. Be available to help.
   I'm not suggesting doing their homework for them but be available to answer any of their questions as they come up.
   Sometimes all it takes for the light-bulb to go on in their head is to hear the problem or question read by someone else.
   Reading it to them slowly or asking the question in a different way can help too.
   Be patient.
   What might seem like an easy answer to you as the parent might be causing stress to your child.
   A hug, a smile and words of encouragement might be all that's needed for your child to find the answer.
   
5. Take a break.
   Make sure they get up and stretch once in a while, shake out their arms and legs, take another sip of water and take the resulting bathroom break.
   Try turning on the radio and listen to one song, dance around, and then turn it off again and get back to the homework.
   Completing their tasks bit by bit will help them to not feel so overwhelmed.
   

Using these homework ideas can relax your child and help them achieve all that they are capable of as students.
Making it comfortable, fun and patiently loving them as they study will all lead to your child's success.