Homework tips and tricks!

Homework! It’s the topic that families I work with bring up most frequently. I get lots of questions regarding the purpose of homework—how parents can help with it, yet take themselves out of the “homework struggle” with their child.

Read on for important information about homework, along with tips and tricks to help make homework time a little easier.

WHY HAVE HOMEWORK?

For the most part, there are good reasons for homework, but according to the National Education Association (NEA), homework should actually serve a purpose, and not just create busy work. For elementary schoolers, homework can help students develop positive study skills, and can keep families informed about their child's learning. At the secondary school level, student homework is associated with greater academic achievement. (Review of Educational Research, 2006)


The NEA reiterates that homework assignments should fall into one of the following three categories:

  • Practice - Utilizing a new skill recently learned in school that they need to review, expanding on concepts that were taught in the classroom

  • Preparation - Getting ready for something they’re about to learn (e.g., researching lizards for science class the next day)

  • Extension - Expanding their knowledge about a topic beyond what was covered in the classroom (e.g., writing a poem in a style that was taught in class or doing an outside research project)

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

There is a limit to how much time your child needs to spend on homework. Over the past few years, homework assignments have, in general, become much more lengthy and time-consuming. If assignments follow one of the three guidelines above, it can be very effective. In general, spending 10 minutes a night on homework per grade level is a good rule of thumb. For example, a second-grader should typically be able to complete homework in about 20 minutes, and a sixth-grader should be able to get homework done in about an hour.

Homework time can be stressful in any household. And for families where students have learning and/or attention issues, there are additional challenges. Difficulties with focus, organization, motor skills, etc., can make working efficiently and/or independently difficult for these students. Students with too much parent intervention probably aren’t reinforcing concepts that they need to learn. Additionally, teachers can’t get an accurate picture of how much the child is actually retaining, and where he/she may be struggling. So how to help? Read on.

HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH HOMEWORK

  • CREATE A HOMEWORK STATION - Having a specific place to work on homework—stocked with supplies such as pencils and erasers, pens, markers, crayons, etc.—can really help.

  • USE A HOMEWORK PLANNER - I encourage all my students to write down assignments in a homework planner. Although most assignments are online, actually writing out what is due, and seeing it visually, helps tremendously with time management and organization.

  • CHECK IN - Set aside some time each school day to go over assignments and timelines with your child, ensuring that they are on top of their work.

  • CREATE A CHECKLIST for homework assignments. An app I recommend is Reminders for iPhone, where you can create a shared to-do list. It’s gratifying to check off tasks as they are completed, and parents can keep track of their child’s progress.

  • BE AVAILABLE - Doing your child’s homework for him isn’t a solution to helping them. If possible, have them work independently, yet let them know you’re nearby to help if needed. Encouraging independence is key.

  • KEEP AN EYE ON TIME - It’s crucial to communicate with the school and your child’s teachers to let them know how much time your child is spending on homework. Sometimes teachers will modify the amount of homework given each night (e.g., assign only odd math problems), or find other ways for your child to practice the desired skills.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any homework tips to share, please leave them in the comments section. Happy homework-ing!