The child’s autonomy in homework is built little by little.
- Each child develops autonomy at their own pace, but it is possible to help them access it more easily.
- At the start of primary school, parents must absolutely support the child with homework, by encouraging them but also by providing a space for them.
- Above all, homework must not become a chore, at the risk of demotivating the child. To do this, ask him, for example, what he learned, in order to create a moment of sharing and pride.
Independence is a skill that each child develops at their own pace, whether it is homework or other activities. At the start of primary school, parental support is essential to provide a safe environment while encouraging initiative.
Preparing the ground for autonomy
Preparation is always the first step towards self-reliance. Starting by encouraging your child to prepare the necessary materials for their homework can be an excellent way to teach them to organize themselves for their work and put themselves in the right conditions. He can thus prepare his school supplies, but also his work space, preferably calm and orderly.
Before starting homework, take a moment to discuss the tasks at hand and how they want to approach them. They can choose the order of assignments, the resources they need, and how they want to cover the topics. He will then feel more confident and independent.
Turn homework into a fun activity
Learning should not be seen as a chore. By transforming homework into a fun activity, you encourage your child not only towards independence, but also towards their interest in learning.
Concretely, ask him to show you what he has learned, to transform revisions into a moment of sharing and pride. You can also offer to read aloud in front of an audience, whether it is a sibling, a pet or even a toy to strengthen their confidence in their reading and comprehension skills.
Encourage initiative and decision-making
Autonomy is nourished by self-confidence and the ability to make decisions. By letting your child decide how they want to complete their school tasks or when to take a break, you are teaching them time management and taking responsibility.
Encourage him to think about solutions on his own before intervening to help him develop his problem-solving skills, another key element of his independence. By directly confronting him with challenges and pushing him to consider different strategies to overcome them, you help him trust his judgment and therefore become empowered.
Find out more: “I know how to do it” by Alain Laboile and Hifumiyo.
