Although the "right" amount of homework varies depending upon your child's age and skills, the Department of Education suggests that children in kindergarten through second grade benefit from 10 to 20 minutes each school day and third to sixth graders benefit from 30 to 60 minutes each school day. Homework affects every member of the household since it requires a regular time commitment from the child involved and his parents who will need to ensure that he has the time and space to do his homework.
Choose the Right Place
Pick a quiet, well-lit area of the home your child can use for her homework sessions. Younger children might choose to work at the kitchen or dining room table while older ones might prefer a workspace in their bedrooms. Stock the area with school supplies such as paper, pencils, pens and rulers.
If your child needs to use a computer for her assignments, Dr. Mary Gavin, a medical editor at the Kids Health website, recommends setting the computer up in a common area and installing parental controls that can block and filter unsuitable websites. Keep the area as free of distractions---such as ringing phones, noisy TVs and loud siblings---as possible.
Emphasize Organization
Although you cannot--and should not--complete your child's homework for him, you can ensure he develops the organization skills to do it effectively by himself. The U.S. Department of Education recommends setting up a schedule in a common area of your house where your child can keep track of his assignments. They also suggest providing your child with a backpack or book bag and folders in which to keep his homework.
Schedule homework sessions for the same time every day so that it becomes part of your child's normal routine. Talk about the importance of studying regularly and help him create a study schedule for tests so that he can avoid last minute cramming.
Stay Available and Involved
You do not need to hover over your child and micro-manage him while he does homework, but you do need to stay involved in the process. Look at your child's homework assignments and take note of any upcoming tests or major assignments. Help him interpret the assignments and answer his questions about the work.
Encourage him to reach out to his teacher for help if he consistently struggles with homework assignments. Look over completed assignments and give him practice tests to help prepare him for classroom tests. Stay in touch with your child's teachers---they can help keep you abreast of classroom happenings and can let you know about any problems your child encounters in school.
