School has started and children are beginning to establish the daily routine of completing homework assignments. It is never too early to have a discussion with your child about your expectations concerning study habits. It is, however, a parent's responsibility to provide the right environment for children to do their homework. 

My first recommendation is never allow children to either study or do their homework in front of a television. Children should complete their homework in a space which does not have noise and distractions which will interfere with the child's attention and focus. 

It might also be helpful for a parent to help the child clean off his desk and organize information in files at least once a week. Children tend to get very stressed about finding materials and completing assignments on a timely basis.  This is the part of the process when parents need to be directly involved.  Teaching your child good study skills so that he will be organized pays off many times over over the long term. 

Part of the study process involves engaging the child in appropriate scheduling after school. Homework should never be rushed or completed ten minutes before bedtime. It should be done as soon as children come home from school so that there is an opportunity after dinner for quality family time and joint activities. 

It is also important for parents to determine if children are struggling with the work assignments. Sometimes children do not want to do their homework because they do not understand either the material or the assignment itself.  Parents need to make sure that neither of these things are issues. 

If and when children are struggling with school work, parents need to intervene and contact the classroom teacher. The worst possible scenario is that children continue to fall further and further behind and then feel overwhelmed that they cannot possibly catch up. This is why parent monitoring and good communication are critical to your child's education.