Top 10 Homework Tips (for Parents) (2024)

FAQs

How should parents help with homework? ›

Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns. Set a good example.

[Read: What Makes Teens 'Most Likely to Succeed?' ] How much is too much? According to the National PTA and the National Education Association, students should only be doing about 10 minutes of homework per night per grade level.

Even though 51% of parents reported that students should do their homework on their own, on average, 73% of parents reported helping their child with homework completion.

The invention of homework is commonly attributed to Roberto Nevilis, an Italian pedagog who is said to have introduced it as a form of punishment for his students in 1905. However, the concept of homework predates Nevilis and has roots that go back much further in history.

Students Mental Health

They also suggested that any more than two hours of homework per night would be counterproductive. Some mental health experts agree, saying a heavy workload can indeed do more harm than good.

Students with too much homework have elevated stress levels.

Higher-achieving students — those who may have more homework — are at particular risk for stress-related health issues including sleep deprivation, weight loss, stomach problems and headaches.

Shifting away from homework and allowing more unstructured time can significantly benefit students in various ways. Free time is not just about relaxation; it's about allowing students to engage in activities that promote cognitive, social, and physical development.

There are guidelines for how much time kids should spend on homework. The NEA recommends something called the “10-minute rule.” Based on this rule, students should spend about 10 minutes per grade level on homework every night. That means a second grader will usually be able to finish in about 20 minutes.

In first through third grade, students should receive one to three assignments per week, taking them no more than fifteen to twenty minutes. In fourth through sixth grade, students should receive two to four assignments per week, lasting between fifteen and forty-five minutes.

Do 2nd graders have homework? ›

Homework is designed to provide review and practice of concepts covered in class and to build good study habits. 2nd graders should do approximately 20 minutes of homework each night including reading. Those 20 minutes should be focused study so children learn to manage their time.

Homework is one of the essential parts of a student's education. It provides students with the practice they need to succeed in the classroom and in future assessments. In addition, homework teaches kids how to set goals and manage their time effectively.

Over the years, numerous studies investigated the relationship between homework and stress levels in students. One study published in the Journal of Experimental Education found that students who reported spending more than two hours per night on homework experienced higher stress levels and physical health issues.

Homework teaches students about time management. Homework teaches students how to set priorities. Homework helps teachers determine how well the lessons are being understood by their students. Homework teaches students how to problem solve.

By the time your child enters middle school, parents helping with homework can do more harm than good. At this stage, parental help with homework is associated with lower student achievement. While you should be helping a lot less with homework, middle school isn't the time to retreat from your child's education.

Research finds that parental help with homework is beneficial but that it matters more how the parent is helping rather than how often the parent is helping.

The Role of Parents in the Educational Process

Researchers have found that parental involvement in learning has many benefits for children: When parents help their school students with studies, it helps to improve student performance, reduce absenteeism, get higher grades and test scores, and improve social skills.

A set and predictable schedule helps defray the battles and gets your kid on a routine. You may want to even post your agreement in a visible place and then sign it. Many kids need a break after school, while others like to delve right in. Find your child's best time work time and consistently reinforce it.