Homework: How Many Are Enough For The Children?

If my child does more homework, will he do better in school? If you increase the number of hours doing them, will you get better grades? These questions prompted the latest research and debates where we studied  the importance of time and the quality of the study in the duties of children.

It is a controversial topic. Well, while some researchers advocate the implementation of this discipline, others oppose it, arguing that homework only brings disadvantages in the education of children. As we can see, the debate is served and the educational community, divided.

Duties yes, duties no; what is truly relevant are the daily hours that are dedicated to them. Experts on the subject say that one hour of homework a day and without parental help is sufficient. This figure corresponds to 13-year-old boys, since, at a younger age, there is less study time per day.

However, it is recommended to introduce tasks from the age of six, as long as they are educational, stimulating and appropriate for the age and needs of each child. But one aspect remains unchanged: children must do it themselves.

Dedicate a maximum of 70 minutes a day to homework

Many parents think that by demanding more exercise from their children at home, they will get better results in their education. There is nothing more wrong than this idea, since it has been shown that after 90 minutes of study, school performance falls.

For this reason, it is advisable to dedicate a maximum of one hour a day to school tasks. However this depends on the age of the student; because primary school children (6 to 12 years old) spend less time. At first it is convenient to make only one approach to get them used to the routine and instill the habit.

The more time you spend on homework, the less quality time you’ll have in class. Even the determining factor for success is not the time invested but the quality of it. In addition, the way in which the student is involved in the learning process is of interest here.

It is not surprising if we consider that children spend many hours at school and, when they get home, they have to do homework. Some also do extracurricular activities. So what time do they have to play? This is also vital for their development, so fun should be included in their tasks.

When and where, the keys to doing homework

The ideal is to create an appropriate study corner to do homework that is different from the rest of the spaces in the house in order to predispose the child to study and facilitate their concentration.

It has to be a quiet environment, with good lighting and practically without distractions, but mainly without television, computer or music. Ideally, there should be a table with school supplies, such as notebooks and pens.

The time for homework can be established gradually and naturally at a young age to build the foundation for their future study habits. There is absolute freedom to choose it, but once chosen, it must be respected.

It is recommended that it be early, because the later it is, the little one will be more tired and will have less desire, so it will cost more and will have worse results.

Doing homework without help from mom and dad

Attention! If you tend to do your child’s homework, give up that self-defeating attitude. Through them the child learns to concentrate and solve school problems on his own, turning to his parents to dispel doubts. Remember: if you do your homework alone, you will get better academic results.

Do not forget that homework is a responsibility of children. Your child should know what the tasks are pending, when they are due and how long it takes to complete them in order to meet their obligation and the established deadlines.

However, some kids often forget to write down homework. Here it  is essential to establish educational consequences. What does it consist of? Explain to your child what will happen if this happens often. There needs to be a communion in the planning of the children’s obligations.

So what can I do to help with your homework?

Accompany your little one while doing homework. This means being close to them but not on top. Allow him to carry out his activities independently, in order to recognize his autonomy and intelligence. This attitude teaches them to manage responsibilities and also strengthens their self-esteem.

Stay tuned to help if the child gets stuck on some slogan they don’t understand. To do this, you can offer him some clue that brings him closer to the solution or give him a break in case he is stressed by the difficulty of the homework. A break to clear your mind can be a good outlet.

Prepare a good snack. This is not a joke, as the snack can become a preliminary rite. Those connoisseurs of the subject suggest that, before studying and doing the exercises, children eat and drink something so that, after an hour, they carry out their tasks feeling that another moment begins.