Balancing Homework:
Kids are more successful in school when parents take an active interest in their homework. It shows kids that what they do is important. As young children begin school, the focus should be on cultivating a love of learning. The most effective activity may be nightly reading, especially if parents are involved. The benefits of reading are clear: If students aren’t proficient readers by the end of third grade, they’re less likely to succeed academically.
Homework should be 10-20 minutes per night in the first grade. National PTA and the National Education Association support the “10-minute homework guideline”—a nightly 10 minutes of homework per grade level. But I like many teachers and parents are quick to remind that what matters is the quality of the homework assigned and how well it meets students’ needs, not the quantity of time spent on it. Parents need to decide if 10-15 minutes is enough for their kiddo or if they need more or less.
The research doesn’t account for students who may need to spend more—or less—time on assignments. In class, teachers can make adjustments to support struggling students, but at home, an assignment that takes one student 30 minutes to complete may take another twice as much time—often for reasons beyond their control. Adjust Homework to meet the needs of the child and don't base it on what another child in another household is doing!!
Of course, helping with homework shouldn't mean spending hours hunched over a desk struggling with a child. Parents can be supportive by demonstrating study and organization skills, explaining a tricky problem, or just encouraging kids to take a break. And who knows? Parents might even learn a thing or two!
Here are some tips to guide the way:
Know the teachers — and what they're looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child's teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved. Communicate concerns with them regularly!
Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies — paper, pencils, glue, scissors — within reach.
Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.
Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there's an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary — and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.
Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls. (Occasionally, though, a phone call to a classmate about an assignment can be helpful.)
Make sure kids do their own work. They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions. But it's a kid's job to do the learning.
Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.
Set a good example. Do your kids ever see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents' examples than their advice.
Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.
If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child's teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need an evaluation for a learning problem or attention disorder.
We recommend and assign it. We give you as many options as possible to meet the needs of all students. We give written and online practice. You as a parent get to decide what you want your child to accomplish and do based on his/her abilities and needs. What motivates your child to learn? What excites him/her about learning? What does your child need to be successful