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According to the Center for Public Education website, “the average amount of homework across all grade levels is less than an hour per night.”
Although the difficulty of homework assignments may vary, depending on the grade level, subject, school or individual teacher, the following tips can help get your child into the habit of doing homework:
Start Early
It’s of course easiest to start this habit when your child first begins school. Even for kindergarteners without homework assignments, it might be good to set aside a quiet time to discuss what your child learned that day and any questions that he or she has.
Make Homework Time a Regular Routine
Although older children’s after-school schedules may be filled with sports events or part-time jobs, experts underscore that everyone learns habits faster when they are practiced consistently. Depending on your work schedule and your children’s after-school activities, establish a given time and place for doing homework, such as after dinner at the kitchen table. Keep distractions to a minimum by turning off cell phones and televisions during the scheduled homework time.
Lead By Example
Some experts suggest that parents set an example by “working” while their children do homework. Household chores such as balancing the checkbook, paying bills, planning the week’s menus and making grocery lists help children understand that everyone in the household has chores and responsibilities.
Added Value for the Future
Homework does more than reinforce a teacher’s lesson taught earlier that day. Keeping up with homework assignments is a critical organizational skill to learn for all aspects of your child’s future life, whether academically, practically or vocationally. The regular schedule for homework time and place helps children learn good study habits and discipline in their approach to academic work.
Also, review of a previous lesson can provide the necessary cognitive reinforcement to move the information from a child’s short-term memory to his or her long-term memory.
The benefits of developing good homework habits are endless. What are some ways that you’ve helped your child develop good habits, both inside and outside of school? Share them with us on Facebook.
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