homework rules - tips for parents

Tips for P1 & P2

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How long should my child spend on homework?
At this age, they’ll probably be doing an hour of homework a week. If they are doing a lot more than that, talk to their teacher. Are they taking too much time over it? Or are they getting a load of work from the teacher? Feel free to ask.

How much time should I spend helping them?
It depends on how much time you have free. For P1 and P2s, you’ll need to sit with them and help out more than you would with older ones. Do whatever you can – every bit helps, even if it’s only a few minutes!

What sort of work will they be getting?
In P1 and P2, homework will be mainly reading, writing and simple number work.

What can I do to help them in school?
Well, the Government recommends that you spend 20 minutes a day reading with your child. But maybe you don’t always have twenty minutes. Just read together when you have a free moment – five or ten minutes is better than nothing. You could read a story together before bed, or get your child to read to you.

I can’t get my child to settle!
If you can, have a set time for homework every night – say, from 6 to 6.30 – then they’ll settle into a routine. Don’t insist they start as soon as they’re back from school – give them some time to relax and play a bit first. Maybe let them have a small snack before they start so they’re not hungry and thirsty.

My child can’t concentrate…
Having something to eat and drink can help here. If your children eat a good breakfast, they’ll do better in class. Giving them their five portions of fruit and veg a day can help as well. Eating a pile of sweets can make them hyper – so try to keep them as an after-homework treat if you can. Fish oil extract – OMEGA–3 - might help too.

We fight about homework all the time!
Well we have all been there and we know the theory. If you get angry, they’ll feel stressed. It really is better to walk away and leave it until another time rather than losing it completely.

What’s the best way to deal with homework?
Make sure the room they’re working in is fairly quiet – no telly or stereo blaring! Have everything to hand they might need for homework, like pencils, ruler and pens. Make sure they aren’t doing homework last thing at night, when they’re tired - or first thing in the morning before they leave the house.