Helping with homework

Homework, an important link in children’s lives between school and home, is often seen by both parents and children as one of those unpleasant daily chores. Children don’t want to do it, while parents fear that they may fail at school if they don’t do it.

A good well-managed homework programme helps children to develop the skills and attitudes they will need, for successful lifelong learning. Homework also supports the development of independent learning skills and provides parents with an opportunity to taken part in their children’s education.

Government guidelines on homework give a broad indication on how much time pupils of different ages should reasonably expect to spend. For children at primary schools the guidelines are:

Years 1 and 2 1 hour per week
Years 3 and 4 1.5 hours per week
Years 5 and 6 30 minutes per day

Schools and teachers are expected to organise homework carefully so that children are not expected to do too much on any one day. Whether or not they show it, children generally like to feel supported in their studies. Here are some tips on how you can help children take responsibility for homework:

- Help children develop a positive attitude towards homework. They will work better if they are relaxed rather than if they feel under too much pressure
- Take an interest. Give children a chance to talk about their schoolwork if they want to – even if it is a subject you don’t know about, you can still help by listening and helping them find the answers
- Establish a good routine. Some children prefer to do homework straight after school whereas others prefer to unwind first, then do homework later
- Create a suitable environment in which homework can be done – a clear work space, good lighting and no interruptions. If there isn’t space in your home try a local library or a homework club. Don’t allow TV or other distractions
- Plan after-school leisure activities to allow time for homework
- Set a positive example. Parents and other family members can settle down to a focused activity (such as ironing or sorting bills) at the same time
- Promote family learning. The research and discussion work generated by homework activities can help create a family learning ethos within the household
- Many schools issue a homework diary for parents to sign. This helps a child know that their homework is being monitored
- Note homework instructions and encourage a chid to note down what they are supposed to do and when it is to be handed in
- Help children with their homework but don’t do it for them. Show them ways of finding out the information themselves eg. internet, books, library
- Encourage other family members, particularly fathers, to become more involved in their children’s homework as a way of spending quality time together
- Help children understand the reasons for doing homework – looking things up, revising and increasing their knowledge on subjects will help in gaining qualifications. By organising their homework, they are also learning useful planning and time management skills
- Keep homework to the required time and encourage them to have leisure time or watch TV afterwards

For further information and advice:
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
www.dfee.gov.uk/parents
www.schoolsnet.com
www.kidsclubs.com
www.pin-parents.com
www.pin.org.uk