How to create a good homework/life balance

School and homework can take up a large portion of every school day. In addition, more hours are dedicated to extra-curricular classes taken in the afternoons and at weekends with topics as varied as languages to art, sport and music. As much as many children love learning, they need down time too. How do you strike a balance?

A love of learning may come naturally to your child but too much and it could be detrimental to their education. Like most of us, too much of one thing can rapidly become boring or frustrating. So, it is important to find the balance between enjoying studying and simply enjoying being a kid, whether that means racing around the garden, watching some TV or playing a game purely for the fun of playing it.

In a study conducted by the London University’s Institute of Education, researchers found that homework can cause problems in family life, with rows superseding any educational benefits. The research also found that children can begin to resent the amount of time set for homework in relation to free time.

Guidelines set by the government in 1998 recommend, “A good, well organised homework programme helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful, independent lifelong learning. Homework supports the development of independent learning skills, so enquiry and investigation are seen as part of the learning process.” The study also found that the highest achieving schools had pupils who spent more time on learning activities at home but they suggest that homework should not get in the way of other clubs, such as sports and music.

The study recommends that every school has a clear homework policy available to parents that set out guidelines as to what is expected, what is manageable and what is educationally beneficial. Knowing what is expected should help you set time apart for homework, play and family time, ensuring that none encroaches on the other so that you can make and maintain a healthy study/life balance for your children.

“By encouraging reading, drawing, and writing stories about his favourite superheroes, Jack went to school able to read and write, with a drive to learn more so he could read his books on his own,” says Emma, who found new ways to encourage her son Jack’s learning at home that would still benefit his school work without taking up extra time.
Emma considers that home play is as valuable as class work for Jack to learn.

“I don’t think he will ever be rushing to see what happens with Biff and Kipper and the Magic Key next, but using more play in his life has, in my opinion, made reading and writing something he wants to do.  He is in the top tier of the class for both English and maths, and has a higher concentration level than most in his class, something that has come from allowing him to play complex games. Homework is still a fight some nights, but with the promise of rewards if he can do it quicker, it’s getting easier.”

By creating a fun way of learning which utilises Jack’s interests, Emma has found that her son is more interested in his work and considers it part of his play routine. Importantly, she has not attempted to disguise learning as something fun, Instead Emma feels she has succeeded in creating a good balance between work and play that has benefitted Jack’s class work.

 

 

What can you do to achieve the right balance?
 

• Pinpoint exactly how much homework is being allocated from school and discuss how much home time should be allotted to it so it does not feel like a never ending task.
• Be on hand, but not hovering, if your child needs help so that they don’t spend too long in frustration at a task. However, don’t be tempted to get too involved.
• Combine homework with trips to museums, galleries and other places of interest. Children soak up facts and figures and this can benefit topical class work.
• Don’t have an extracurricular activity planned for every day. Let your child know there is free time where they can choose what they do.
• Ensure your child enjoys the classes and activities they take, if they aren’t learning anything or enjoying it, ask yourself if it is worth the time, money and effort.