Homework: What Limit Do I Have To Set?

The homework is an important issue for society in general. Recently, debates have been promoted at the international level on the rationalization of the burden generated by excess homework in school stages.

However, and while defining the ideal way to complement learning, it is important to reflect on the support provided by parents.  It is vitally important to establish parameters that allow your children to take responsibility. In the same way, it may be important to limit the help you provide when doing homework.

Although it has been debated that homework can mean great deficiencies in the educational system, it also means that our children need to practice the new knowledge they are acquiring, such  as reading and writing.

The ideal is to find the balance to carry out the duties.  And always without overwhelming the child with repetitive learning techniques that do not finish strengthening knowledge.

How can I foster in my child the habit of school responsibility as a duty?

School obligations are the responsibility of the child, not the parents. Their job may be to teach you to organize yourself and resolve any doubts that may arise. If you want your child to learn to be responsible with their homework, it is wise to start this practice from a young age.

Giving him tasks and small obligations according to his age can help train his ability to act with commitment in simple situations. And in this way you can obtain great benefits in your school development.

In any case, it is convenient to establish a time limit for the execution of the duties. Most little ones get distracted and can spend several hours on issues that could be resolved in less time. In these cases, it is ideal to remind them that at the end of their homework they will be able to enjoy some activity that is more pleasant for them.

It is important that the child learns to value the effort of daily work, and then he will be able to enjoy the satisfaction of having fulfilled his duty. On the other hand, it is not recommended that parents do all homework with their child.

It is important that they learn to function independently. They can be kept close by, to supervise and support, not to do the work for him.

Guidelines for Promoting School Responsibility in Young Children

If from a young age we are instilling values ​​in them, in a short time the children will have good habits that will serve them for their future development. Even when he’s too young to go to school, you can promote responsibility by:

• Tell him to pick up his toys when he’s done playing. At first you can help him, but little by little you should let him do it himself and supervise that he does it well.
• Establish specific places to store each item. So when you tell him it’s time to pick up his toys, he will know where to put them and where to look for them the next time he wants to use them.
• It is important to express our honest opinion about its development. This helps boost motivation and rectify whatever is necessary.
• Short routines are ideal for young children. Try sitting with your child every day for at least 20 minutes and working in the same place. It can be coloring or making figures with plasticine.

What limits should be put on homework?

As you get older, it is important not to neglect the good habit. Also establish clearly and explicitly the limits that will exist when doing homework. For this, it is essential to make yourself understood in an effective and concrete way. And avoid generic or ambiguous instructions that create confusion for your child.

If you have already established a fixed time to do homework, it is important that they comply with it. If an exception occurs, it must be clear that it is a special occasion and resume the routine.

Avoid exposing your child to distracting objects, such as electronics or toys. In this regard, it is effective to have a specific space to study and do homework where you can easily concentrate.

As your child surpasses each school year, he will develop the maturity he requires to face new challenges. When the child knows what he is capable of, it will not be necessary to tell him each time what to do. Although it must be borne in mind that each child is different.

At first you must have a lot of patience and dedication. But over time the child will be able to assess situations and act responsibly thanks to everything you have taught him.

Avoid excessive burden of homework

Remember that, at times, excessive homework can be counterproductive as it can promote a rejection of school and learning. Therefore, it is essential to have free time, necessary to have fun and share with the family.

Finally, the ideal would be to involve the child with tasks that involve motor, creative and instrumental activities.

Keep in mind that it is very difficult, at certain ages, to make a child sit for a long time doing tedious and boring tasks. Tasks should be turned into entertaining activities.

In any case, if as parents we find it difficult to set limits when children do their homework, it is best to consult with their educator or a pedagogue.