Homework assignments,
completed successfully, reinforce what children learn in the classroom and
build confidence in the next day's activities. But the value of homework
extends beyond the subject matter. It can help children develop good habits,
including self-discipline and responsibility. Parents and guardians are
essential to the process. Homework can help parents learn about their
children's educational growth and ways of thinking. But getting the homework
done can be challenging for children and parents.
Set a daily
schedule for homework and put the schedule where you will see it often. The
best schedule and length of time will depend on
your child.
Pick a well lit,
fairly quiet place for your child to study. Make sure that necessary supplies are on hand and, if it is possible,
let your child decorate their space with their favorite handmade
artwork.
Remove
distractions such as the television, loud noises and, if possible, noisy
toddlers. Ideally study areas should be away from windows with distracting
views.
Set a good example
by reading and writing yourself during 'study time' and encourage learning
activities such as letting your child write out the grocery list.
Show interest by
reviewing your child's homework and talking about school activities in family
conversations.
Be available for
questions and look over completed assignments.
Children learn in
different ways, and it will be easier for you to help if you understand
something about your child's learning style.
Help your child
get organized. Put an assignment book or calendar in a place where you will see
it often and record, or have your child record, when assignments are
due.
Encourage good
study habits. Help your child get started early when he or she has to do
research reports or other big assignments and give practice tests.
Talk about the
assignments. Talking can help him or her think through an assignment and break
it down into small, easy-to-handle pieces.
A good schedule
depends on your child's age, outside activities, temperament and learning
abilities. For instance, one youngster may work best in the afternoon after an
hour of play, and another may be more efficient after dinner. Outside
activities, such as sports or music lessons, may mean that you need a flexible
schedule. Your child may study after school on some days and in the evening on
others. If there isn't enough time to finish homework, your child may need to
drop some outside activity.
Older students will
probably be able to make up their own schedule, but younger students will need
some assistance. Write out the schedule and put it in a place where you will
see it often, such as on the refrigerator door or in the student's study area.
Monitor the schedule to make sure that it continues to fit your child's
needs.
One way to tackle a
schedule is to set a required amount of time that your child must devote to
homework or some other learning activity each school night (the length of time
will vary depending upon the child's age - see chart below). For instance, if
your seventh-grader knows she's expected to spend an hour doing homework,
reading or visiting the library, she may be less likely to rush through
assignments so that she can watch television. A required amount of time may
also discourage her from "forgetting" to bring home assignments, and help her
establish a routine.
Grade Level
Minutes Per Day
Days Per Week
Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Up
to 30 minutes a day
Five days a week
4th grade - 5th grade
45
- 60 minutes a day
Five days a week
6th grade - 7th grade
75
- 90 minutes a day
Five days a week
8th grade - 12th grade
105
- 120 minutes a day
Five days a week
The amount of time
your child spends on homework may vary from the above guidelines. It will
depend on the subject, the complexity of the assignment, and your child's
learning level. Talk with your child's teacher if you are concerned about
either too much or too little homework.
Listed below are some
homework essentials. Your child's teacher may require additional items. This
list is to help you get started with the basics.
Items that need to be kept on hand or in the study
space:
Other useful items that might be helpful:
Assignment
book or calendar
Pens
Pencils
Erasers
Writing
paper
Dictionary
Glue
Tape
Stapler
Paper
clips
Calculator
Index
cards
Pencil
sharpener
Scissors
Ruler
Maps
Almanac
Thesaurus
If you can't provide
all the needed supplies, check with your child's teacher, school guidance
counselor or principal about possible sources of assistance.
For books and other
information resources, check with the school library or local public library.
Some libraries have homework centers designed especially to assist children
with school assignments. There may even be tutors and other kinds of individual
assistance.
Check back on
September 16 for more tips, tools and resources available for
students.
This is just a brief
overview. For more information on how to help your child with homework and
related issues check out these resources from the World Wide Web.
* Names of
resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as
examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the
Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a
particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or
imply that it is unsatisfactory.
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