At home, the homework period is generally a stressful activity for children and their parents. Often it is difficult to know how to go about avoiding conflicts. We’ve put together a list of helpful tips and strategies to help you get the most out of homework.
5 Tips to Improve The Homework Period
1. Make simple and short rules that are consistent
To have a good homework period, it is important to establish ground rules such as:
- If I have a question, I raise my hand
- When an adult allows gives me the permission to talk to others, I do not scream
- When I have difficulties with a particular question, I skip to the next if no one is available to help me
- I make a list of things I have to do
- When I am done with my homework, I put my things away
- Etc.
We also suggest that you establish consequences that will follow if the rules are not followed. In your house, you can use the means that suit you best to avoid falling into relationship traps. It is absolutely necessary to avoid conflicts that have no connection with the homework period.
Finally, it can be very practical to create a “homework bin”, where the different school items are found (glue, scissors, paper, geometry material, eraser, etc.). This will allow your child to be well prepared for homework.
2. Time management
First, it is important to have a fixed schedule for the homework period. What is best for you? In the morning, in the evening coming back from school, after dinner? Everyone has a different routine, but it has to be the same every day.
In addition, you can plan homework time with your child. For example, on Monday evening you can organize the homework to do for the week by using small squares with the first letter of the day of the week and write a list of what has to be done on each day. This way, the child will know what to do and there will be no room for argument.
Did you know that, in general, the number of minutes allocated for the homework period and lessons should be equivalent to 10x your child’s school year? For example, if your child is in grade 1, he should do 10 minutes of homework and lessons each evening. Whereas if he’s in the 6th grade, it should be 60 minutes.
- Important: If the homework period exceeds 60 minutes, it is important to review everything with the teacher to find out if it really meets your child’s needs and if he can give you other advice to lighten the period.
Do not forget to allow yourself a short 5 minutes at the end to vary your exercises and check if your child has understood everything. You can make short quizzes, sentences, games, etc. The important thing is to avoid monotony because it does not stimulate the acquisition of knowledge. If your child needs a study routine, I suggest you go with the days of the week. For example, on Monday and Wednesday he can write his vocabulary words, while on Tuesday and Thursday he dictates them to you.
3. Create an environment that is conducive to concentration
Where your child does homework is very important. You must find a space where he can do it without being disturbed. This place should be well lit and away from screens and televisions. If your child does not have a ‘’duty corner’’, the kitchen table can be a good idea. If you choose this option, we recommend that you explain to your child that during the whole period of homework, it will be the “homework corner” where the rules of homework apply at all times.
4. Take breaks
Like anyone, a child should have short breaks. Since you know your child well, you know how he will react if you make little jokes from time to time. You can also give him water or snacks.
5. Let them to their thing
I advise you to keep a distance from your child to make sure you help them as best you can. If the homework period often leads to conflicts in your family, it might be worth considering the option of having the help of a tutor. The latter will help your child complete his homework and lessons in addition to consolidating his learning.
The frequency and duration recommended for homework
As you know, it is not always easy to know if our child is doing enough (or too much) homework to ensure his academic success. There is no magic recipe, but research has found the minimum, average and maximum time recommended by grade level in elementary school.
| Minimum | Average | Maximum | |
| 1st year of elementary school | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 30 minutes |
| 2nd year of elementary school | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 40 minutes |
| 3rd year of elementary school | 30 minutes | 35 minutes | 45 minutes |
| 4th year of elementary school | 30 minutes | 40 minutes | 45 minutes |
| 5th year of elementary school | 35 minutes | 40 minutes | 50 minutes |
| 6th year of elementary school | 40 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes |
High school and college students: Given their age and cognitive maturity, they can stay focused longer and know their limits better. We therefore advise you to adapt to the capacities as well as the work and exam schedule to determine the best time management strategy for you.
The most opportune moment
During the week, it is important to take into account that after school or in the early evening, your child’s day at school may have been demanding, which will have a considerable impact on his level of concentration. It’s all about adapting and being sensitive to your child’s non-verbal communication.
Advice from a remedial teacher
- If your child has not finished his homework period, make sure you don’t insist. It is best to close the textbooks and continue the next day. A tired child is unwilling to learn and it could cause frustration.
- If your child tends to lose concentration quickly, it is possible to spread the work over two or three periods. In my practice, I often like to illustrate my learning to my students with the following quote: An elephant can be eaten one bite at a time. It is better to do a little bit every day in order to preserve motivation and concentration.
- It is important to allow your child to move during breaks, since this oxygenates the brain and changes his ideas. Kill two birds with one stone!
- Another good strategy would be to allow him to stand or sit on a bouncing ball in order to release energy while advancing his homework.
- Learning by playing is always a winning strategy so that your child does not feel like he is doing homework. Why not write your vocabulary words with erasable pencils in the kitchen windows or use the iPad to explore various learning applications!
- One last piece of advice, if your child’s teacher submits the list of homework and lessons on Friday, why not take advantage of the weekend to get a head start. This way, you will be able to shorten the homework period during the week.
How to promote the concentration of children during homework?
It is well known that the homework period for children is not always easy. Some people find this moment too long, too difficult or even boring. In all cases, it is not necessarily obvious as a parent how to help his child optimize his concentration. Here are three tips to help your child focus:
1. Find a good spot to study
Doing homework in a quiet space away from distractions is essential for a child who has trouble concentrating. If you choose to place your child in the dining room for homework, in the living room or in any other common area, make sure to keep all distractions away from his environment. Television, pets, electronic devices and toys are all things that can easily distract a child during his work period.
Also, try to have only the basics in your child’s work environment. If he doesn’t need his crayons for homework, remove them from his field of vision. To maximize concentration, it is best if your child maintains the same work environment each time he settles down for homework. Consistency and routine are key!
2. Eat and release energy beforehand
What could be more distracting than a noisy belly?
Obviously, I suggest that you let your child choose a snack (we try to avoid crisps, cookies and sweet juices) before starting the homework period. An empty stomach will certainly affect his concentration.
Make sure your child has had the opportunity to release some energy before he starts homework, especially if he has trouble sitting for long periods of time. If your child has a constant need to move, it is important to listen to this need if you want the homework period to go well and his concentration to be optimal!
3. Use tools that promote concentration
Many tools that increase concentration are available on the market. Noise canceling headphones are already very popular in the classroom and children get used to them very quickly. They cut out surrounding noise and help focus over a longer period of time.
Heavy stuffed animals are also great tools for children with a lot of energy. The child can put it on his legs or on his neck and the heaviness of the teddy bear helps him concentrate better!
Finally, Disco’sit textured airbags promote concentration. They are ideal for young people who constantly have the need to move and find it difficult to sit still.
Need help with homework?
If your child needs help with homework, Tutorax has a homework help service. Our tutors help children who have difficulties in math, English, French, science or any other subject. We take care of supporting your child in their academic success!