Brugklas tips for parents and child.

Tip 1: preparation during the holidays

It is useful in the last weeks before your child goes to the first year to organize a good study environment: a quiet own spot, covered books and study supplies like agenda, pencil case, pens and pencils at home.

Tip 2: ensure a positive work atmosphere

It is important that homework becomes a habit from the start, even if it is not much yet.

Discuss with your child the best time to start working. This helps to avoid procrastination. If your child needs help, choose a moment when you as a parent can really make time for your child.

Tip 3: quiet study environment

Doing homework works best in a quiet place. At a fixed spot, your child will get faster into ‘homework mode’. This can be at the table in the living room or in their own room.

Talk with your child about their preference. It is important that there is as little distraction as possible. Agree about phone, laptop, tv and other distractions.

Tip 4: homework and the 5-step plan

If your child finds it hard to start with homework, try the 5-step plan. This is a good method to learn together. After a while, your child can do it alone.

• (Digital) planner: teach your child never to start randomly. In a (digital) planner it shows what must be done for the next day. Look first, then start. Make a daily plan: what do I do first, what next?
• Do homework: children often like to start with routine work and that is fine. Make sure there is variety. After some routine work, do some learning work, and so on.
• Learn and check lessons: when your child starts the first year, learning can be hard. It starts with reading the text well and checking if everything is clear. Looking up difficult words, making a summary, chart or mind map helps. Does your child know the material? After learning it is important your child learns to check themselves. For example, by telling you or themselves what the lesson is about. For languages, there are many quiz options on the internet.
• Learn to plan: teach your child to ask questions that help in planning. Like: how much time do I have today? Do I have appointments outside? Is there a test soon? It is good to start this a few days before. Better to practice 3 times 10 minutes than once 30 minutes. Are there tasks that can wait a few days but can be made now? It is nice to sometimes work ahead.
• Close off: is the homework done? Let your child always check and tick off the agenda, clear the desk and pack the school bag for the next day to start well prepared.

Tip 5: finishing

Besides a start time, it is also good to agree on an end time. How long your child needs for homework differs per day. Also, one child needs more time than another. But after a while, you can estimate the average homework time reasonably.

Tip 6: help with relaxation

Homework is important, but relaxation too. Help at the start with planning so your child has time left to do sports, hang out with friends or something else for relaxation.

Tip 7: meeting or start talk at school

Usually, the mentor of the first year soon invites the parents for a first meeting. Often this is with all parents of the class, but more and more with an individual start talk between mentor, parents and student.

It is recommended to attend. There you hear the school’s policy and what approach to homework the school recommends. As a parent, you can also say what the mentor should know about your child.