Last week, we covered the benefits and drawbacks of homework in elementary school and beyond. Still feeling fatigued by your child’s homework load?
Research indicates that there is no evidence that children are doing more homework today than in years past. According to 2011 data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics, the median time spent on homework per week by a high school student was 6.8 hours.
How can this be when some parents are claiming that their high school student is completing three hours per night?
That is where variation across communities becomes evident. More affluent areas tend to have the most homework assigned. Some educators see the trend of more homework as symptomatic of high-achieving parents who want the best for their children.
The National Education Association points to the “10-Minute Rule.” For every grade level, children should do 10 minutes amount of work – 10 minutes in the first grade, 20 minutes in the second grade, and so on.
What can parents do to best assist their child with homework?
Most experts agree that the key is to help, not hover.
While children do benefit from guidance, there are ways to lend a hand. For example, you can focus on:
- Providing a quiet study environment
- Establishing guidelines for when homework should be completed (ideally late afternoon/early evening)
- Refraining from providing answers or completing your child’s work
- Avoiding punishment for assignments not completed. Instead, allow your child to face the consequences in school rather than in the home.
Homework should serve to review and reinforce the lessons covered that day as well as instill study skills, such as time management, to help your child become a lifelong learner.
Want to learn more about homework management or develop an individualized plan for your child? Contact us to schedule an appointment.
