Kids and homework:
the benefits and the excuses
Love it or loathe it, homework is here to stay. And whether your
kids are just starting out in the education system or well on their way to exam
success, there’s a good chance they’ll be sitting down every night for a bit of
extra schooling.
Though it can sometimes be an inconvenience, in
general homework will benefit your child’s education. So whatever excuses they
come up with to avoid doing a bit of home study, just try to focus on the good
you know it’s doing them.
Benefit:
It really can improve school results
Next time your child’s homework is getting in the
way of a family day out or evening meal, just try to remember that it really
can make a big difference to their school results.
In fact, research has shown that doing around two
hours of homework a night can boost school results; giving your child a
greater chance of success and helping them to stay one step ahead.
Excuse:
There’s no time for homework
One of the most common excuses put forward by both
parents and kids is that there’s not enough time to get homework done.
Though this may be true occasionally, normally most
kids can find a few half hour slots in which to finish off those maths problems
or start an essay. If time really is an issue, look for opportunities wherever
you go.
For example, next time you visit the grandparents
at home or in a McCarthy
& Stone development, try to find a quiet corner for your kids to work
in – their grandparents may even be able to offer some useful help and tips
using their experience!
Benefit:
It can make kids more disciplined and more focused
Whether it is 30 minutes or 2 hours, sitting down
to do some homework every night really can make kids more focused and more
disciplined. If your kids decide to go on to university or embark on a
challenging career, this motivation and dedication can be a huge benefit.
Excuse:
The dog ate it
Over the years, kids have come up with every excuse
under the sun to explain why their homework has gone undone. Though some may
contain a smattering of truth, very few essays have in fact been eaten by the family
pet or, as one creative student claimed,
blown up in a controlled explosion!
At the end of the day, homework is there for yours
and your child’s benefit. If they’re struggling to get in done, talk to their
teachers and work together to ensure your child doesn’t get left behind.
