In the early school years, it is unclear whether homework helps children learn well or not. In general, homework can help them consolidate the knowledge they gained in school and learn how to manage time. You can help your child with homework by setting aside time and space.
The basics
Homework can take many forms. For example, children of primary school age might be asked to:
- do worksheets or longer projects
- read or write
- collect interesting items to share with the class.
High school students are more likely to receive different homework assignments in different subjects. These can be math assignments, written assignments, research projects, practical or creative assignments, and so on.
Academic benefits of homework
In the early school years, there is no clear evidence that homework helps children do well in school. As children get older, homework has academic benefits - there is a strong link between homework and children's performance in high school.
Other benefits
In general, homework can help a child:
- practice and improve the skills he learns in class
- be ready to go the next day
- work on longer research or creative projects
- learn time management and organizational skills such as meeting deadlines and balancing work and play.
Homework is also useful for parents - it gives you the opportunity to see what your child is learning in school. Taking an interest in your child's homework is a great way to let him know that you value learning and education.
Doing homework
Find the right time. For some children, it is best to do their homework soon after they return from school. Others may need a break to play and rest before starting their homework. Young children can concentrate for about 15 minutes before they need a short break. Even older children need breaks. You can encourage your child to do neck stretches, shake hands, and wiggle fingers. You can motivate your child to do their homework by setting a time limit for homework and making time for activities that they enjoy, such as watching TV or playing outside when they are done.
Create the right environment. It is a good idea to place your child in a location that has good lighting, air and ample space for books, pens, and other items. Younger children are more likely to work better in a family setting, such as at the kitchen table, while older children are more likely to need their own quiet place. When your child is doing their homework, try to minimize distractions by turning off the TV and asking younger siblings to play somewhere else. You can also ask older children to leave their cell phones with you while they do their homework, or arrange that they cannot use their cell phones, laptops, computers or tablets, watch videos, or play games until homework is done. finished.
Help your child get organized. You can show your child how to break down large assignments or projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Older children may find a homework planner or scheduling app useful so they can see when tasks are scheduled.
Help develop a positive approach. Schoolwork is not always easy. Your job is to help develop a positive approach to academic and organizational challenges. If the child avoids challenges, invite them to break down the tasks into those that they find easy and those that they find difficult. If he has difficulty with a particular task, you can help him approach the problem positively by getting him to pinpoint what he finds difficult. This way, you can think of some solutions together, weighing the pros and cons of the various options to find the best one. Children often find it difficult to start projects or come up with ideas. You may be able to start from scratch by helping your child break projects down into smaller pieces or outline steps.
Be a coach. When it comes to homework, it can help you be your child's coach. You can arrange for the right time, setting, and approach to homework, but getting the job done is ultimately your child's responsibility. Being a coach means that you sometimes have to let your child “fail,” but remember that they learn from both failure and success.
Working with a teacher
Try to establish a friendly working relationship with your child's teacher. This way you can easily talk to each other about school and homework assignments. If you have doubts about your homework, you should talk to your teacher early, rather than letting the problem grow. Issues teachers should be aware of include the following:
- Spends too much time doing homework. Find out how much time other children in your child's class are spending on homework. If your child regularly spends more time on this, talk to the teacher.
- Doesn't understand the job. If so, your child may be missing out on concepts in class. If you let the teacher know, they can fill these learning gaps during class.
- Can't concentrate. This will help you know if this is just a problem at home (possibly due to being overtired) or if this is also happening at school.
- Problems with one particular subject. The teacher may suggest a different approach to the subject. For example, you can use blocks for addition and subtraction, or there are many fun educational online games that are great for older children.
The volume of home assignments
There are no hard and fast rules. In the early years, some schools do not give any homework other than reading. Some schools, as well as different teachers in schools, provide much more homework than others. More homework does not always mean better academic performance, especially in primary school. If you feel that your student has too much homework, you can talk to the teacher. Conversely, if you feel that your child is not getting enough homework or not getting homework at all, you can teach yourself. For example, you can read together, write stories or letters, research interesting topics, or plan a budget for a family event.
