In short: Parents don't approve homework. They follow along, cheer and help when it's hard – and it all comes together under Homework.
The family overview
Open Homework with All selected. At the top is a card for each person with homework: today's steps (e.g. 1/6), the homework slot, the streak, how much homework is left – and a warning if something is due tomorrow and isn't done. Tap See plan to see the person's own page.
Your own homework is on the card You. Parents can see other adults' homework, but children can't.
Send a high-five
- Tap High-five
On the child's card.
- Write a message
It's optional.
- Choose an emoji
The high-five is sent straight away.
Do it together
A child can ask an adult to sit with them: tap Do it together under Today, choose the adult and the time, and send. An adult can also ask another adult.
The parent sees the request at the top of Homework – and as a notification on iPhone – and answers Yes or Not now. The child sees the answer straight away.
Notifications
- At 6 pm parents are notified if a child has something due tomorrow that isn't done.
- Before the homework slot the child gets a reminder with today's steps.
- The next morning a friendly message arrives if yesterday's steps weren't done – they're ready for today.
- Without a homework plan a reminder about tomorrow's homework arrives at 4 pm.
Notifications require the iPhone app with notifications turned on. The reminder before the slot can be turned off under Settings → Homework → Reminders.
Add homework for the children
Parents can add homework for everyone in the family – choose the person under Who in the panel. Young children without their own login can tick off steps on a parent's phone, in Doing or on Apple TV.
Good advice
- Cheer the effort. A high-five when the steps are done means more than a reminder when they aren't.
- Say yes to Do it together when you can. It's the child's own attempt to get started.
- Use the 6 pm warning as a conversation, not as a check.