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  • Help - I've got homework!

    Wednesday 7 December 2011

    Categories: Education, Extra curricular, Family Relationships, Homework

    Homework is a bit like riding a bike. You have to practice to get it right but, once you’ve mastered the skill, you never forget how to do it.

    Like it or not, homework is part of school life – or should be. Yes, the teaching day ends around mid afternoon and young people need downtime to re-charge their batteries. No, that does not mean lessons should be forgotten until class the following day.

    Why? Because children need to get into the habit of thinking for themselves and doing their own research. They also need time and space to reflect on what they have learnt and to apply that knowledge in different ways. That’s what homework is about – setting exercises and tasks that take learning out of the classroom, encouraging independent thought and problem solving. From a teacher’s point of view, it also highlights any weak areas – revealing what a pupil has understood and what still needs attention.

    In my experience, there are two parental stances on the subject of homework. The first judges a school on the amount of homework given and firmly believes in its benefits. The second thinks that children have done enough studying during the day and that their evenings should be their own.

    Both have their points but, as in most things, moderation is the key. A certain amount of time should be set aside for homework, so that it becomes a matter of routine. If that time allocation is frequently exceeded, and your son or daughter is becoming over-tired, then clearly something is wrong and a teacher chat is called for. If homework isn’t taken seriously, or not being done, then that, too, is a concern.

    So what can you, as a parent, do to help? My advice is:

    - Set a homework schedule with your child and stick to it. Try and ensure that they can work without being distracted by TV, Facebook or the internet.

    - If your child has a homework diary, make sure you look at it and use it as a way of communicating with teachers when necessary.

    - Telling a child to do their homework in their room isn’t always best – it can be isolating and you can’t make sure they’re doing it. Try and find a quiet space, close to the rest
    of the household.

    - Help, but don’t do the homework yourself – it achieves nothing.

    - Take an active interest in your child’s school work and always praise effort and achievement.

    - If your school runs a homework club, think about using it – especially if you don’t get home until late.

    Like it or loathe it, homework provides great preparation for exams and settles children into a way of learning that will stand them in good stead through life. Battles can be avoided – just agree the rules, be interested and always applaud success.

    Posted by Caroline Pascoe

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