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Handy homework tips
Handy homework tips
March 28, 2018
These tips are offered as suggestions. The aim is to ensure that homework becomes a productive and stress-free time for the child and parent. Above all, these tips will help your child to get into the habit of producing quality work rather than quantity.
What is the purpose of homework? – To consolidate and reinforce what your child has learnt during the lesson. Homework is good for your child as it develops positive habits and skills, such as discipline, which will stay with them for life.
How can parents help children with homework?
1
Make materials available — everything your child needs for homework should be within easy reach in one place. E.g: dictionary, paper, pencils, etc
2
Talk through and discuss with your child the work they have done in the class
3
Ask your child to explain to you the homework task they are required to do
4
If your child understands the task, then ask him/her to do the homework with minimal assistance
5
If your child has not understood the task, then spend a little time going over the work. Offer guidance — but don't do the work for them. Tell us what your child has been struggling with so that we can help in class
6
Offer praise — everyone loves it! Your child’s confidence WILL grow and they WILL progress through praise, reward and encouragement
7
Watch frustration levels — sometimes, your child just has to take a break. Encourage your child to return to the homework after 10 minutes
8
Set a time frame and help your child stick to it — there is a 10 minute rule of thumb for how long homework should take: 10 minutes for Year 1, then add ten minutes for every Year that follows. Following the formula, a child in Year 6 should have 1 hour of daily homework (60 minutes); a student in Year 11 should have two hours (120 minutes)
9
Be a role model — do a little work too, maybe bring something home from the office and complete it at the same time and in the same place as your child. This will also help your child to become an independent learner
What does the child have to do?
1
Train your child to become self reliant in doing homework. How? Remove distractions — focus on homework — TV / radio off, no XBox or iPod!
2
Set up a study area in a room so that your child becomes familiar with doing homework in a specific place in the house where they are comfortable
3
Let your child check carefully his/her homework with your help. Check and change: content, spelling, punctuation, handwriting and presentation
By putting in the effort to do the homework, your child will gain confidence and the long-term investment will be well worth it. Good luck!