How to help your child with homework (without doing it for them)
TutorAura guide · Updated
The most helpful thing parents can do with homework is usually not to teach the content. It's to create a routine, show interest, and help children work through problems themselves by asking good questions. Evidence reviewed by the Education Endowment Foundation suggests that parental engagement focused on supporting learning at home can help, but that approaches which take over the work, or turn homework into conflict, are less useful.
Here's a practical approach for primary and secondary school.
Key takeaways
- Set a regular time and a quiet place, with distractions away.
- Ask questions that help your child think, rather than giving answers.
- Praise effort and strategies, not just correct answers.
- Tell the teacher if homework regularly causes tears or takes far too long.
Set up a routine
- A regular time: for example after a snack, before screens.
- A regular place: a table with good light, away from the TV, with phones and tablets out of reach unless needed.
- A plan: for older children, a quick look at what's due and in what order.
- Short sessions for young children: 10 to 20 minutes is plenty in the early grades.
Ask questions instead of giving answers
When your child is stuck, try questions like these:
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| "The answer is 24." | "What is the question asking you to find?" |
| "You do it like this." | "What did your teacher show you in class? Can you find an example in your book?" |
| "That's wrong." | "Can you talk me through how you got that?" |
| "Let me do it." | "What could you try first?" |
Explaining their thinking out loud often helps children spot their own mistakes.
Praise the right things
Praise effort, strategies and improvement: "You kept going on that hard one," "Checking your answer was smart." This helps children see that ability grows with practice. Avoid making homework a battle; if it's turning into conflict every night, step back and talk to the teacher.
When you don't know the content
You don't need to know the answer. Methods taught at school may be different from how you learned, especially in maths. You can still help by asking your child to explain the method, looking at class notes together, or finding a worked example. For maths specifically, see how to help your child with math at home.
An AI tutor can also help here: TutorAura explains one step at a time and asks your child to do the next step, so they get help without being handed the answer.
How much is too much?
If homework regularly takes much longer than the teacher expects, ends in tears, or your child can't start without you, tell the teacher. They need to know if work is too hard or too long, and they may suggest adjustments. Homework is meant to practise what's been taught, not to teach it from scratch at home.
Building independence as they grow
In the early grades, sit nearby and help them get started. By middle school, check in at the start and end rather than staying throughout. By high school, your role is mostly encouragement and helping them plan their time; see how to make a study schedule. The goal is a child who can manage homework on their own.
Frequently asked questions
Should I help my child with homework?
Yes, but by supporting rather than doing: set a routine, ask questions that help them think, and praise effort. Let the work be theirs.
What if I don't understand my child's homework?
Ask your child to explain the method, look at class notes or examples together, or use a tutor. You don't need to know the answer to help.
How long should homework take?
It depends on age and school. If it regularly takes much longer than the teacher expects, let them know.
Should I correct my child's homework?
Point out that something might need another look and ask them to check it, rather than correcting it yourself. Teachers need to see what your child can do.
Sources
- Parental engagement (Teaching and Learning Toolkit). Education Endowment Foundation.
- Homework (Teaching and Learning Toolkit). Education Endowment Foundation.
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