Getting homework done
Wendy Golledge
Associate EditorHomework causes arguments in a third of families, according to research. But there are simple ways to encourage and help your child with those school assignments ... without the stress.
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If your child is given homework by her school, you’re probably used to hearing that it’s too hard, too ‘boring’ or just too much.
And it’s not just your child who doesn’t enjoy it. A study by Explore Learning found 15% of the 1,000 parents surveyed ‘rarely or never’ helped out with homework.
Yet there are simple strategies for helping your child with her homework, at primary and secondary school, to help her get ahead in her studies.
Before you start ...
... check out this video from ParentChannel.tv, which offers tips on creating the right environment for your child to do her homework, along with advice on how to get homework done.
Good homework habits - the basics
Before your child starts her homework …
Find a quiet place to use as a homework area. Ideally, you’ll sit at a table and have all the necessary equipment including pens, rubbers and craft items if needed.
Turn off the TV. It’s also an idea to put your phone away so there are no distractions.
Pick the right time for your child. It might be she prefers to do her homework straight after school. Or she might find it easier to do after her tea. Find the time that suits her best and when she is able to concentrate fully.
How much homework should your child be doing?
Primary school
Years 1 and 2 - 60 minutes a week
Years 3 and 4 - 90 minutes a week
Years 5 and 6 - 30 minutes a day
Secondary school
Years 7 and 8 - 45 to 90 minutes per day
Year 9 - 1 to 2 hours per day
Years 10 and 11 - 1.5 to 2.5 hours per day
Find the best school for your child!
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Top 5 tips for helping your child with homework when she’s at primary school
1 Reading
Reading is the most important thing you can do with your child. Recent research from the University of Edinburgh found children who read well at seven do better in IQ tests as teenagers.
Read to your child every day if you can, talk about the book your child is reading and take trips to the library to pick new books.
2 Make homework interactive … and fun
If your child is learning about subtraction, take her homework into the ‘real world’.
For example, take her to the local shop and ask her to work out how much change you should get after buying a pint of milk.
Or, if she’s learning to read, point out words on billboards or shops to help her learn new words.
3 Give your child a snack first
Your child is probably hungry after school, so if you are planning on doing her homework then, make sure you give her an energy-boosting snack first.
Carrots and hummus are good, or whip up a fruit smoothie.
4 Have a reward chart
If your child is struggling, you could think about creating a reward chart with stickers. And every time she finishes a piece of homework, she gets a gold star for her chart.
5 Don’t do your child’s homework for her
Always sit down with your child at the table when she is doing her homework.
Ask her questions about the work she has been set and help her find the information she needs on educational websites, in the dictionary and so on.
Yet try not to do it for her. And also avoid trying to teach your child in the way you were taught at school. This will only confuse her if it’s different to how she is being taught.
Top 5 tips for helping your child with homework when she’s at secondary school
1 Reading
You won’t be reading with your child now, but you can still encourage her to take an interest in reading.
Talk about the books you’re both reading and take trips to the library for your child to pick a book.
2 Stay involved
Your child will need to be a lot more independent with her homework, and won’t necessarily need you sitting down with her.
Yet you can still talk to her about the work she is doing and why that particular project was set - for example, if it’s a history project, what else she has learnt so far about that period.
It might also be she has three projects due in the same week, so you could help her prioritise what needs doing first.
3 Don’t do the work for her
If your child is struggling, there is always the temptation to do her homework for her.
Yet it’s important for your child to try to complete it herself. This gives her teacher a good indication of how much she is understanding in the classroom.
4 Stay positive
The amount of homework at secondary school can feel overwhelming. And if you are stressed by it, the chances are your child will pick up on that and feel stressed as well.
Try and stay positive: help your child with a homework schedule so she knows exactly what is due and when.
Also, praise your child for the work she has done - this will encourage her and help her feel she’s on the right track.
5 Stick to a routine
If your child always does her homework straight after school, try and stick to that routine.
That way, it becomes second nature. And you avoid the ‘putting it off’ scenario which usually means it doesn’t get done … and then panic!
Does your child struggle with homework? Why not share your experiences and advice in our Coffeehouse forum, below.
