Homework rules at home

As young children begin school, the focus should be on cultivating a love of learning, and assigning too much homework can undermine that goal. And young students often don’t have the study skills to benefit fully from homework, so it may be a poor use of time (Cooper, 1989; Cooper et al., 2006; Marzano & Pickering, 2007 ).

Setting basic homework ground rules is crucial, and you want to establish that tone from the beginning with your child. I recommend taking him out of the house and away from the phone and other distractions. Once you have your child's undivided attention, explain why you feel it is necessary to establish homework rules in the first place.

It may seem reasonable to assign 30 minutes of daily homework, but across six subjects, that’s three hours—far above a reasonable amount even for a high school senior. Psychologist Maurice Elias sees this as a common mistake: Individual teachers create homework policies that in aggregate can overwhelm students.

Visit the tutoring center or help desk at school. Many schools have after-school tutoring services or help desks for students who need a little extra help with their homework. It can be very helpful to have someone to look over your work, sit with you while you complete it, and keep you working diligently.