I've been with in Shanghai education in various positions since 2003. In that time I have noticed many 'hot topics' that we have to deal with while representing the students of up to 30 different cultures - but the one that makes a regular appearance is homework.

I strongly believe that a good homework adds 10% to the school day.

It makes the school year 10% longer!

It makes learning 10% more successful!

but only if it is done right...

However, some parents would like a daily concentrated dose of homework - sometimes of several hours length per night. And other parents prefer to have time for the children to play - 'to just be children'.

Both are right of course. But all would like to have a little guidance as to 'what is the norm'.

Time for homework

A school's homework policy should be balanced; allowing teachers and parents flexibility over the time spent on homework

Approximately 30 minutes in total for ages 5 to 7

Approximately 45 minutes in total for ages 7 to 9

Approximately 60 minutes in total for ages 10 to 13

Approximately 90 minutes in total for ages 14 to 16

Approximately 120 minutes in total for ages above 16, but this will often be in a project based way and thus more difficult to measure.

Reading

If a child finishes homework early - this means they then do extension work. If the set time per day is broken then work could become rushed or done poorly. An ideal extension homework each evening should be reading (in any language)

Approximately 10 - 15 minutes for ages 5 to 7

Approximately 15 - 20 minutes for ages 7 to 10

At least 45 to 60 minutes of reading for pleasure for ages 10
Note that this is 'for pleasure' and should be enjoyed - books should be chosen by the student.

Writing

A daily journal in English for 8 to 10 year olds is a great way to get into the writing habit.

If learning an additional language, such as Chinese, then writing bi-weekly starting from age 8 is appropriate

As you know children need structure and this is practically achieved at school. There are a clear set of rules for each classroom the students use and for each teacher the students have; the students know precisely what they need to be doing at any particular time.

We find that when we change this structure - for example on a field trip or a Halloween event - we have to make an extra effort to ensure that discipline is kept. We have to make this effort as we have removed the structure; the clear lines that say what students should do and when they should do it. Often we keep discipline by inventing a new structure; a new set of clear rules and times for that event.

If your child has structure at home, a clear time and place set aside for homework, then your child will find it easier to do homework as structure will help.

Scheduled Time

Let's deal with the time first. If you know that your child needs to come home and have a snack before starting homework, then budget that time in too.

For example you could set the homework time as being 4.15 to 5.15 everyday - including weekends.

If this is a new thing for your child you will have resistance at the beginning, but it is important to persevere and reward with, for example, time on a favourite computer game on completion of the homework. As the days and weeks go by your child will need less incentives to sit down from 4.15 to 5.15 everyday. It will be automatic.

A quiet space

We understand that a set time is important to structure. The other aspect of structure I want to talk about is place.

Your child needs a working space for homework, not a playing space.

The desk or table that your child works at should be in a room with few distractions. You can’t play computer games or watch TV at the library and you shouldn’t allow anyone to do that in the room where the child is working.

If you have the space, perhaps the working room should be physically separate from where your child plays - this will assist further with structure. After all at school we keep the running and playing to the gym - both things that students can’t do in a classroom and they understand place better than most adults recognise

If a child is told - ‘In this place, there is this rule and in that place the rule is different’ the child - of any age - gets it intuitively.

If you have a study at home and it is not used from 4.15 to 5.15, then it can be the child’s study too. Your child will understand instantly that this is the place to work, and then that is the place to play.

The study dojo: bow and walk in.
Like martial arts. Students should prepare themselves for battle with the homework; they must clear their minds; they must focus on the task.

I'm joking of course - however, a set place and time for study of course means better focus.

We have covered the structure that children need to do their best homework, the set time and the set place. Now I’d like to talk about patience and praise.

Parents and teachers know that patience is very important when working with children.

Specific praise is needed: ‘Correct’ rather than bland ‘good’.

Add more examples to the comments section

Directly helping your child with their homework

Yes, you should help your child with your homework if you can.

But there is a line between helping your child and doing it for them!

We do see this problem. Here is a quick table for you to show what I mean.