StudyBlog

For Part 1 of this discussion go here.

The most important homework tool you can give a child struggling with homework is a set routine. I get the feeling that I’m going to be repeating variations of that sentence many times on the StudyShop blog.  Routine is crucial to any learning endeavor. (There I go again…)

First, pick a location.  Each night, your child should do his homework in the same place.  The ideal homework spot is (relatively) uncluttered and free of distraction, yet not too isolated.  A kitchen table is often a good place, as long as there isn’t too much foot traffic coming in and out.  When a child regularly struggles with homework, I suggest that they work someplace where the parent can easily check up on them every few minutes.   What do I mean when I say check up on your child?  Well, that’s a topic for a future homework help post.  For now, let’s just say that “checking in” on your child simply means observing their behavior.Sometimes, just your presence is enough to help them focus on the task.  We’ll get into specifics later.

If possible, try to schedule homework time for the same time each night.  It’s very important to make this time mandatory. If your child is sure that he doesn’t have any homework, the time can be spent reviewing concepts, and planning for future long-term assignments.  Some families find that before dinner works best.  When both parents work, “homework time” may need to be scheduled later in the evening.

Knowing how much time to schedule can be a challenge. The National Education Association has guidelines for teachers and parents regarding homework schedules.  They say that a child should have approximately 10 minutes of homework per grave level.  (A first grader should have about 10 minutes, a third grader should have 30 minutes, a seventh grader 70 minutes, and so on.)  This should help give you an idea on how much time to reasonably expect your child to devote to homework each night.  Some flexibility is required here; some nights will have lighter workloads than others.  Also, your student may need to take an occasional break or two. Time these breaks to make sure your child doesn’t slip back into “free time” mode.  A 10-minute break for every 30 minutes of work seems reasonable to me.  A few minutes spent moving around a bit or grabbing a quick snack will do wonders for their motivation and concentration.

Consistent parental behavior is also a vital part of the homework routine.  Clear expectations and clear rewards will be our next topic.