Thanks to the recommendations in this article, you will learn how to help your child cope with homework quickly, efficiently, and without tears.
In This Article
- How much time should be spent on homework
- Homework Rules
- 1. Make homework a habit.
- 2. There shouldn’t be anything unnecessary in the workplace.
- 3. The child should have not only a class schedule but also a homework schedule.
- 4. Large tasks should be broken down into parts.
- 5. It is better to start doing homework with the most challenging subject.
- 6. It is necessary to take a short break every 30-50 minutes.
- 7. Parents should push for the correct answer, not do the homework for the children.
- 8. If it is not possible to do the homework, it is necessary to connect additional resources.
- 9. Parents should always support their children.
How much time should be spent on homework
Some norms determine how much time students of different ages should spend on homework per day. But in practice, these norms are not followed. According to a study by Office Deport, 25% of American families believe that students are given more homework than they can do. Almost 50% of moms and dads would like to eliminate homework in at least one subject. In addition, 40% of those surveyed admitted to arguing with their children at least once a week over homework.
Homework Rules
Here are the rules for doing homework. We hope these guidelines will help your child do their lesson quickly, efficiently, and without stress.
1. Make homework a habit.
Doing homework should be as natural as brushing your teeth or making your bed. It is necessary to form this pattern from the first form. The child should do his lessons at the same time. There should be some ritual preceding it, for example, turning on a desk lamp or laying out notebooks on a table. The brain will get used to this routine and tune in to study as soon as the ritual begins.
When homework becomes a child’s habit rather than a choice, it becomes less likely that he will put it off until later.
2. There shouldn’t be anything unnecessary in the workplace.
The environment affects a person’s productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure an average temperature, lighting, and silence in the child’s room.
The desk of a schoolboy should always be cleaned. There should be enough space for a laptop, textbooks, notebooks, and other learning tools. It is unnecessary to clutter up the workplace with stuffed toys, picture frames, and other things that may distract the child from doing homework.
3. The child should have not only a class schedule but also a homework schedule.
Scheduling gets rid of feelings of anxiety. The student needs to see clearly what lessons he needs to do. Sit down and work with him to make a homework schedule. Set the frequency of regular tasks, prioritize assignments that have a due date. Taking control of the situation gives your child the confidence that he can handle it all.
Allow the student to write the plan himself, and it is better on paper, not in a gadget. According to many psychologists, writing down goals and objectives by hand increases the likelihood of following them.
4. Large tasks should be broken down into parts.
An essay, a presentation, a science experiment – all require serious, thoughtful, and step-by-step work. Help your child break down a lengthy task into parts and include each element in the lesson schedule. Spreading the workload will eliminate the feeling that large studies are long, complex, and tedious.
5. It is better to start doing homework with the most challenging subject.
The desire to put off things we don’t like is at the heart of human nature. But resources of time, attention, and energy are limited. Therefore, it is worth starting homework with the worst subject to give or the one that the child likes the least.
The more energy a pupil spends on simple tasks, the harder it will be to go on to difficult ones. And by completing a difficult task straight away, the child will get a charge of positive emotions and quickly finish the rest of the homework.
6. It is necessary to take a short break every 30-50 minutes.
Intense thinking activity should be alternated with physical activity or simple short periods of doing nothing. Make a rule: take ten-minute breaks every 30-50 minutes to complete your homework. Working in segments is called the “Tomato” method.
The child will be happy to be distracted. Just agree in advance that a break in homework preparation will take place without social networks and TV shows. Explain to the student that the new flow of information will not let the brain relax. It’s better to walk the dog or eat something nutritious. For example, nuts activate brain activity.
7. Parents should push for the correct answer, not do the homework for the children.
Every parent wants to help their child. But let’s be honest, if a student comes in with questions about lessons and an adult solves problems for him, he’s not helping him. He wants to get it over with as soon as possible to save his time and nerves.
Do not turn your child away when he asks for help with his homework, but don’t do it yourself. Instead, guide him to the solution, read a textbook together, watch a video, show him how to solve similar problems. If you can’t get involved right away, arrange a time that is convenient for you.
It is vital to set clear boundaries: homework is a child’s responsibility, not an adult’s. The teenager should learn to manage his time and take responsibility for his actions.
8. If it is not possible to do the homework, it is necessary to connect additional resources.
Tasks that cause difficulty time after time and bring a bad result are not a reason to scold. Instead, this is a signal to think about it. For example, maybe a student’s reading and writing abilities are impaired, and that’s why every essay is cognitive hell for him. Or perhaps he lacks knowledge and needs an additional resource to close the gaps. For example, you can turn to specialized services for help with writing assignments. Their expertise will help you achieve academic success and get rid of unnecessary stress.
9. Parents should always support their children.
Doing your homework, creating presentations, doing research, and do my essay assignments are very challenging, especially for a teenager going through a hormonal explosion.
Think back to when you were in high school. Did you get everything all at once? Indeed someone would say yes. That’s great, but your child is an independent individual. He may have it differently.
Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have time or want to do lessons with your child. It is his responsibility, not yours. And most importantly – do not criticize children who do not do their homework on time or well. Instead, try to figure out the reason, support, and help organize the process, following the advice above.
To summarize
To get your homework done to perfection without getting too tired, follow this simple checklist:
- make homework a habit;
- keep your desk in order;
- make a schedule with your child and follow it;
- break up large assignments and start with the most difficult ones;
- take breaks every 30-50 minutes;
- support your child rather than scold them for lapses;
- look for additional resources when needed.