“Teaching should not be like filling a water bottle,
but rather to help a flower grow in its own way.”
Noam Chomsky
Homework is often perceived negatively by most children, regardless of their age and educational level. The time they must devote to it is added to their school hours, making homework an extension of what they work on in class, with the difference that now the work is done alone.
In addition, homework often reminds them of course content they did not understand, takes away time from other extracurricular activities they do like, and can lead to a possible grade penalty if they do not complete it, among other things. In this sense, the associations created help to ensure that our students do not experience homework as an opportunity to consolidate what they have learned and to develop their autonomy as students. Therefore, the intra-family tension that usually accompanies the dynamics prior to its implementation seems to be common in many homes and sometimes tends to overload parental responsibilities.
In recent years, there has been a debate at an academic, professional and political level about the relevance or not of its existence in the reality of families whose children are being educated in compulsory formal education. The intention of this article is not to argue about it, but to collaborate with our families so that “homework time"Do not turn it into a wrestling ring between parents and children, where the biggest does not always win nor is the youngest happy.
How can I help my child?
It is important to accept that homework is not going to be a fun or motivating activity in itself, but it can become a time to share and learn about part of what they are currently learning at school. Being able to assimilate this idea will help them better understand the nonchalant attitude they tend to adopt when they sit at the table in front of their report card or read the chain of communication. WhatsApp of the class group. Once we understand this, the suggestions that we will provide below can help build a more appropriate environment for its resolution.
- It is convenient that homework is done in a quiet area of the home or at least the distracting stimuli (electronic devices, pets, conversations between adults, among others) in the environment are reduced. These elements tend to favor the distraction of children and can hinder the time devoted to the task. It is also important that it is a well-lit place, taking into account that natural light is more appropriate than artificial light due to its effect on vision. The appropriate temperature and appropriate furniture are other external factors that collaborate to promote a more willing attitude towards the task at hand.
- Being able to generate a daily routine where they try to study at the same time. The possibility of parents and children defining the time of day for completing homework helps develop their autonomy and their ability to be strategic students. Choosing implies taking charge and this has positive repercussions for their development as individuals. First, it allows them to become aware that the time available is limited and requires adequate planning to make the best use of it. Second, they learn to self-regulate their effort and dedication according to the degree of complexity of the task, their personal capacity, and interest or preference. Third, it allows them to understand that schoolwork is their responsibility and that the participation of parents can consist of helping, supporting, monitoring or supervising, collaborating but not “taking charge.” It is suggested that you draw a grid on cardboard with the days of the week and agree together “homework time” respecting their leisure and rest activities after a long school day. The agreement reached between both parties will imply a commitment that can be visible in their bedroom, in the kitchen, on their desk or in the place where they usually do their homework.
- When organizing and planning the execution of tasks, it is convenient carry out your distribution according to your level of complexity and thus progressively “prepare” the resources and cognitive processes that will be put into action for its execution. It is suggested to start with a task of medium difficulty, then continue with one of high difficulty, and finish with an activity of low difficulty. Also, in the case that several tasks must be carried out, prioritize them according to delivery date, condition for their completion (individual or group), preparation for a next evaluation instance, among others.
- Keep in mind that “they” do not have the same study habits as “you” They may have a better understanding or a greater command of their use, and it may be a good idea to approach “their world” and invite them to explain how they work, what they allow them to do, how they do it, what difficulties they encounter, how they learned to use them, etc. It is a way of showing them that their learning is not only important when they bring in a report card or the result of a test, but also when it is being built daily at home.
- Other aspects that should be addressed are related to: having an adequate night's rest and adopting healthy habits in daily intakesPhysical fatigue and/or poor nutrition are harmful at any stage of the life cycle, and the age of children significantly compromises their development and contributes to them not being in optimal condition to face the challenge of studying. It is important to consult a pediatrician or general physician familiar with the children's medical history so that they can guide them and give them suggestions for their better physical well-being.
Finally, for those who wish to continue to delve deeper into the subject or want to have some specific resource that helps them better support their children's homework, we suggest that they visit the following pages where they will find more ideas or information that they can turn to:
Ppga. Maria Martina Silva Laguardia
