There are few things in life that are quite as humbling as sitting down to help your child with their homework and realizing you have no idea where to start.
Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, Superintendent for the Rapid City Area School District, explained that the shift reflects a broader change in education. In the past, homework often focused on completing a large amount of repetitive practice and fact memorization. Today, classrooms are being much more intentional about assigning homework that has a clear purpose and is meaningful, so the quality is much more important than the quantity. “We want to be sure that the homework is actually helping to improve or enhance the student’s learning,” she said.
While that approach helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, it also means coursework can look very unfamiliar from what many parents remember. It’s easy to see why many parents feel like they’re the ones back in school — again.
Homework at home
Homework can be a pain point for many families. When the end of the day arrives, the last thing kids or parents want to think about is tackling assignments after extracurricular activities, dinner and other routines. It’s a cycle that can leave both parents and children feeling overwhelmed.
Balancing homework with the rest of family life is challenging enough. But for many parents, an even greater struggle can appear when they can’t help their child find the answer. No parent wants to see their child fail, but these moments can quickly transform homework from a chance to learn into a source of tension.
Dr. Thompson explains that parents shouldn’t always be expected to be able to do the work, particularly as children get older. The truth is, parents don’t need to have all of the answers — despite what our children might believe. “In the end, we need to know what the student can do, not what the parent can do,” Dr. Thompson stated.
Supporting without solving
When assignments get tough, parents often feel pressure to have all the answers. But according to Dr. Thompson, that’s not the expectation. Instead, one of the most effective ways to help is by creating an environment where children can work through challenges on their own — with guidance and encouragement along the way.
Start by helping your child organize their time and materials before diving into an assignment. Encourage them to carefully reread the directions and explain the problem out loud in their own words. More often than not, talking through the question helps students organize their thoughts and arrive at the answer independently. And if they continue to struggle, don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher for clarification or additional support.
Beyond individual assignments, establishing a consistent homework routine can make all the difference. Set aside a quiet, distraction-free space each day, keep communication open with teachers about any ongoing challenges, and resist the urge to solve every problem yourself. Showing an interest in your child’s learning, asking thoughtful questions, and encouraging perseverance can help build the confidence and study habits that will benefit them far beyond school.
“Homework is just one piece of a child’s education puzzle,” Dr. Thompson shares. “Conversations that parents have with their students around the dinner table, reading with their child, and just showing an interest in school and education really has a bigger impact on their overall learning.”
More than a grade
While it’s easy to become overly focused on getting the right answers, the real worth of homework lies in the process. Consider each assignment as an opportunity for students to practice problem-solving, build confidence and learn how to work through challenges independently.
For parents, that new mindset shift can be a relief. You don’t need to remember every math formula or grammar rule to make a difference. Those last-minute test-cramming sessions are long gone. The real goal now is not perfect coursework, but learning together. The next time your child slides a worksheet across the table and you find yourself stumped, remember this: helping with homework isn’t about being the expert. It’s about showing up, being in their corner — and reminding them that learning doesn’t end when school does.
By Maddie Remund