One thing that parents need to consider is how much homework is too much homework. Is the student actually wasting time doing unneeded projects and reading for school? Does the student need extra help because of a physical handicap, illness, or other issue? These are legitimate considerations to think about, but they also need to be balanced with how much time the child can realistically spend studying.
For example, if a child is taking computer-based classes, how much homework can he or she realistically finish in an hour? Studies show that students study better if they are allowed to complete projects and homework during the lunch break. This is because it allows them more time to eat lunch and continue their daily activities. A teacher may also suggest allowing breaks between lessons to increase the amount of time devoted to homework. Again, the best solution is to allow the student to study at his own pace, so that homework doesn’t become too much homework.
Students also tend to feel better about themselves when they know that their families and schools to support them. They see that they don’t have to rely on the school for any kind of success. This gives them a feeling of self-worth, which is important for young children to develop. If you feel as though your child doesn’t have a fair advantage in the selection process, take some time to discuss this issue with a teacher or principal.
Homework may also be too much for older kids who are taking more courses and are taking less time out of each class period. In order for older students to do well academically, they may need more time to study, depending on how many courses they are taking. One way to help give them extra study time is to allow them to have the same study schedule every night. They may need a few hours of sleep, or they may need to get up early and watch television, but having the same set of expectations every night will make it easier for them to maintain discipline.
Some younger kids and some older kids may not have the same amount of free time that they would like. For these children, giving them extra guidance and input with their assignments can help them stay on track. They can talk to their teachers or principals about what they don’t understand, or they can request additional help with studying or extra tests. Sometimes just giving them extra time will be enough for them to do better in school. In the classroom, it’s the teacher’s responsibility to decide how much homework is appropriate for a particular student, and that decision should not be based solely on how much the student can spare.
As a parent, when you ask how much homework is too much, you want to make sure you are being consistent with the amount of work that your child needs to do. If your child only has one or two hours free during the week, and you are not involved in their studies, it may be time to consider limiting how much homework they do. If they are taking several classes, consider finding other ways that they can learn. A child who likes to learn in a group setting will do much better in school than they will do if they are given extra work or expectations. They may not know how much homework is too much for them yet, but it will become apparent as they get further into high school and begin to take more courses.
If you feel like you are overreacting, try giving your child extra help on occasion. This could mean letting them take an extra class, picking up extra assignments, or helping them with their homework in general. This will give them a sense of independence and allow them to succeed academically, while still giving them some freedom to do things on their own.
