Homework causes more headaches for parents than it does for children.
Some parents worry because their children don’t seem to do enough while
others are concerned because they do too much. And most parents want to
able to help their children more effectively.
Homework is very much a part of secondary education however primary
schools vary in their approach. As a general rule, little formal work is
given to children in the first three years of schooling. Parents are
encouraged to read and be involved in a variety of informal learning
activities at home. Children may gather information for use in school
the next day, make entries in a diary, or keep scrapbooks. Regular
homework generally begins at year three in Victorian schools.
There has been considerable disagreement over the last decade about the
value of homework for primary aged children. Most educators agree that
reading is the most valuable homework that a child can do and should
become a daily habit for children.
The first step for parents is to consult with their children’s teachers
and find out the school’s homework policy. Will your child have formal
homework? How often will it be set? How can you help your child to
learn?
Any formal work that children do at home should have clear educational
benefits. Homework is useful when it:
* consolidates and supports in-school learning
* accounts for different learning rates
* increases children’s confidence and enjoyment in learning
* develops productive long-term habits of organisation and planning
* is followed up by the teacher
Parents can help with homework and support children in the following
ways:
* Establish sound study habits at an early age. Begin by reading with
children each night and gradually change to more formal homework in
later years when projects and assignments are set by teachers.
* Establish a predictable routine. If homework is done at the same time
each evening, getting started is usually less of an issue.
* Make homework time as pleasurable as possible. If you are sharing a
book, don’t make reading a test. Ensure reading is an enjoyable
experience for both, so make yourself comfortable, have a laugh and get
your child involved.
* Establish a good working environment for students. Make sure they have
a quiet area away from distractions that is well-lit and with good
ventilation. A table or desk makes a good workspace, although don’t be
surprised if they spread work out all over the kitchen table.
* Encourage students to work reasonably quickly and efficiently. Have a
set time limit which they should stick to. There is generally little
point slogging away once they become frustrated or tired.
* A little work each night is more productive than packing it into one
weekly session.
* Encourage children to get organised by thinking ahead and planning
their homework around their extra-curricular activities. A weekly
planner or diary will help older students get organised.
If you are helping your child with a particular task, keep your
explanation as simple and practical as you can. If you become upset or
frustrated and the atmosphere becomes tense then stop helping.
Be realistic and don’t expect to solve all homework difficulties. When
in doubt send a note to your child’s teacher letting him or her know the
problem. The teacher will appreciate this good communication.
If you have concerns about the how much homework your child is set or
the level of difficulty of homework contact the teacher and arrange a
time to discuss your worries. Such discussion is the basis of true
partnership between you and your child’s teacher.
Michael Grose is a popular parenting educator and parent coach. He is
the director of
Parentingideas, the author of seven books for parents and a popular
presenter who speaks to audiences in Australia, Singapore and the USA.
For free courses and resources to help you raise happy kids and
resilient teenagers visit
www.parentingideas.com.au
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