Back to School: Homework Attitudes
For much of the country, this is the big back to school week. There are lots of adjustments to be made for parents as well as children: earlier bedtimes, re-establishing daily routines, and of course, homework. Balancing school work with after school activities is always a challenge, but is necessary. Be careful your child is not involved with too many activities, even though they may be worthwhile and enjoyable. If after school activities interfere too much with homework, the stress of getting it all done will quickly affect the child and entire family negatively.
There are varying “schools” of thought about homework, but most educators agree that even for younger children, reviewing at home what was taught that day in the classroom can help prepare the child for the next day’s work as well as any exams. Predictably, most kids would rather not spend precious out of school time doing school work and would rather play outside, text or chat their friends or play some video game or sport. Nevertheless, you can pretend it’s not there waiting for you, but those homework assignments catch up real fast and if not completed, usually affect classroom performance as well as grades.
I do not believe that parents should help out too much with homework but that they should help the child by following these guidelines:
- Understand that the value your child will have about homework comes in part from the value you place on homework
- Choose an appropriate place for the child to complete homework.
- Communicate with the teacher/s to clarify how the homework is given and what the expectations are.
- Develop a system with your child to review homework assignments each day.
- If you suspect that your child has a learning disability or some emotional issues which could interfere with homework assignments, speak with the Special Services coordinator at you child’s school ASAP.
- Have a positive attitude about homework with your child.
- Establish a reward system for your child when he or she completes homework assignments correctly, there is no substitute for positive reinforcement! Use words of encouragement frequently.
- Determine a time for homework when your child is nutritionally prepared: there should be no sugar or chemical additives in the foods he or she eats, nor should there be hunger.
- Be realistic about the amount of time spent on homework; a rule of thumb is 15 minutes for grades 1-3, 15 to 45 minutes for grades 4-6, 45 to 75 minutes for grades 7-9, an 75 to 150 minutes for grades 10-12. If you child is spending too much or too little time on homework, find out why.
- Monitor after school activities
- Develop an after school schedule with your child for homework and family activities
- Encourage independence: Set up homework “rules” and keep them posted in the kitchen and the child’s bedroom which are base on work-time or work-production goals reinforced by incentives meaningful to the child.
By starting the school year off with positive, rather than negative attitudes toward homework, you and your child will have a happier, more successful school year! Remember, balance with school work and playtime is essential for your child to grow into a happy, well-adjusted student.
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About Dr. Virginia
As a licensed Psychologist practicing Cognitive therapy, I work with my clients to help them identify the personal issues that are preventing them from achieving a more satisfying and well-adjusted life.
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