Many parents have a bedtime routine their children follow: Take a bath. Brush teeth. Tell stories. Exchange hugs and kisses. Just as this helps kids wind down and prepare for sleeping, a homework ritual helps them regroup and prepare for studying.

The best rituals are simple. They’re predictable and don’t require kids to think. They help children get into a habit.

Children will eventually take their own steps to prepare to do homework. But until then, it helps to have parents play a role:

• Make an announcement. Let your child know homework time is about to begin. (Most kids do well with 5 minutes’ notice. But some need as much as 30 minutes to make a smooth transition from play to work.)

• Remind your child about ending current activities. “Put your toys away.” “Turn off the TV.”

• Give reminders about preparing to studying. “Clear the table.” “Get your books.”

• Ignore complaints and attempts to bargain for more free time. Be cheerily silent. Or reduce friction with a silly joke.

• Help set the stage. Bring a glass of water or school supplies to the table.
  

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