October 2010-Parent Tip on Homework and Organization
As with everything, children react to homework and organizing materials differently depending on their skills, personality and temperment. Some kids breeze through homework seamlessly and others struggle and fight every minute of it. With good communication and knowing your child, you as a parent can make homework tolerable and even...enriching.
The Parent Letter by NYU Child Study Center offers some tips on how much homework one may expect. Developmentally in grades K-2, 10-20 minutes is typical. "From grades 2-3, 20 minutes per day plus 15 minutes of reading is expected. When children reach Grades 4-6, 20-40 minutes per day plus 30 minutes of reading is the norm" (NYU Child Study Center, 2004).
It is important to communicate with your child's teacher if you feel the homework is too little or too much. Perhaps there are some alterations that may be made depending on your situation.
The next step is knowing whether or not your child needs to "debrief" after school, get a snack and watch t.v.; or get it done first so they can relax after. In my household, my kids finish their homework after they eat a snack (brain food is important!) and then they can play afterwards. It is also important to take breaks if needed and to get the hardest homework done first.
In terms of organization, try and have a central location for pencils, sharpeners, paper, and other school supplies so you and they aren't spending time hunting for materials instead of actually doing the homework. A quiet environment is essential as well as one with minimal distractions. Discuss with your children how keeping organized has helped you (try and name at least one thing you do that is organized!) as well as acknowledging that this is also a work in progress for you too. :)
As far as organization goes, packing the backpack the night before with folders and finished homework will help ease the morning routine and ensure the homework is ready to go to school.
Some great resources for kids are listed in my Bibliography section for kids. If you would like more resources for homework or oganization, please feel free to call me at 206-329-3260 X220.
Thanks!
Jennifer
It is important to communicate with your child's teacher if you feel the homework is too little or too much. Perhaps there are some alterations that may be made depending on your situation.
The next step is knowing whether or not your child needs to "debrief" after school, get a snack and watch t.v.; or get it done first so they can relax after. In my household, my kids finish their homework after they eat a snack (brain food is important!) and then they can play afterwards. It is also important to take breaks if needed and to get the hardest homework done first.
In terms of organization, try and have a central location for pencils, sharpeners, paper, and other school supplies so you and they aren't spending time hunting for materials instead of actually doing the homework. A quiet environment is essential as well as one with minimal distractions. Discuss with your children how keeping organized has helped you (try and name at least one thing you do that is organized!) as well as acknowledging that this is also a work in progress for you too. :)
As far as organization goes, packing the backpack the night before with folders and finished homework will help ease the morning routine and ensure the homework is ready to go to school.
Some great resources for kids are listed in my Bibliography section for kids. If you would like more resources for homework or oganization, please feel free to call me at 206-329-3260 X220.
Thanks!
Jennifer