This forgetting an assignment or forgetting to bring homework back to school is actually due to poor planning skills. Planning skills are part of what is called executive function, and frankly, executive function doesn’t become solid in each of us till we are about 25, so the forgetting of homework is something kids actually come by naturally. That being said, we still can’t just excuse the continual forgetting of homework. This is a skill that needs to be taught. The ability to plan does not just appear…it needs to be taught and practiced over time and then it becomes solid.

I didn’t realize this at first though — I didn’t realize I needed to address the homework help by teaching planning skills…No, I was just like most of you reading this…

Homework Help Problem Solved

I finally solved our homework problem and you can too. What we did was to use the Planning Calendar from Ten Minutes to Better Study Skills and list which days different items need to be brought to school. List them on the previous day’s calendar so before going to bed you check the calendar and see what needs to get put out with the backpack to get taken to school. Also write “pack up homework” on the calendar so the homework gets taken back to school too.

Then post this calendar on bathroom mirror or bedroom door so your kids see it and review it – they can even check off that it is done! You can even keep a copy by the front door – or the back – whichever door your child leaves for school from – as a reminder to have all of their things.