Did you know that Finland has limited the time for written homework to just under three hours per week and that some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, have even banned it? We can't help but wonder whether such a practice is good or whether writing homework is a habit that should be maintained and practiced during formal education?
Homework can often be too extensive, demanding and poorly thought out, which can lead to stress and dissatisfaction in children but also a lack of free time for leisure activities. These are just some of the reasons for their abolition. However, many experts believe that it is not the homework itself that is the problem, but the teachers who give it without considering the needs of the students - if homework is defined sensibly and children's free time and efforts are respected, can provide them with great benefits and provide them with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for their continued professional growth and development. With appropriate support and encouragement from those around you (especially teachers and parents), homework can be much more than just repeating school material.
Why is written homework so important?
Through writing homework, children develop many social skills that help them develop into successful, resourceful, and capable people. Through this activity the children gain Independence, exceptional organizational skills, but also pronounced ones Responsibility for their actions and their work, which will be of great importance, especially in their later working environment and professional life. The aim of homework is for children to understand and remember what they have previously learned by their time, their work equipment, but also the energy invested organize independently. This is how children develop Self-discipline but also Independence and responsibility for your own actions.
What is the easiest way to motivate a child to do homework regularly?
We have already pointed out that many children have a negative attitude towards writing homework. In most cases this is due to poor conception and distribution of tasks, but on the other hand it is also the attitude towards work that they most often adopt in their environment. Since you as a parent are an important factor in this environment, you can influence the children's motivation with little effort and a few tricks:
- Inspiring environment: If a child does their homework in a distracting, noisy, or dark environment, there is a high chance that they will quickly become tired, lose concentration, and stop working. Instead, help your child set up a well-lit and ventilated workspace (by a window if possible) that is well shielded from technology devices and other distractions. If your child is a visual type, it also helps to supplement the room with a smart board, posters and papers with important charts, reminders and templates to make their work easier.
- Predefined schedule: Make homework writing a routine, not an exception. Teach your child to write his assignments at a certain time of the day so that this habit becomes part of everyday life and after a while he can show initiative and start working on his own. Try to be nearby during this time to help your child if he or she doesn't know what to do.
- Praise and support: Support your child by taking an interest in his homework. Feel free to ask them whether they need help, what and how they plan to solve the tasks, whether they have enough time and whether they like the material. Praise your child every time they complete something and show them how proud you are. Emphasize how glad you are that the child took certain steps on their own and encourage them to continue trying.
- Exemplary behavior: Finally, we should not forget that you are a role model for your child and that if you start saying that the homework assigned by the teacher is too difficult or too extensive, you do not care how the child copes with it comes and that he has to do them because otherwise he will be punished, then such behavior will arouse negative emotions in him and create an aversion to writing homework. Instead, try to read or do something else during this time yourself and set a good example for your child.
At BrainOBrain, we firmly believe that active work in a creative environment and motivating children is very important. We give our students short, 15-minute homework that matches their individual development and abilities, in the firm belief that this habit is a prerequisite for a more successful life.
Get to know our work system. Arrange a free trial lesson using the link and work with us to ensure a better and more successful future for your children. And as for homework, be persistent and persevere in your endeavors and we are sure that the results will be more than good!
If you need help or further advice, register your child for a free trial lesson at the BrainOBrain location near you.
