Children who are in the habit of studying every day have an easier time in school, as they get older. Their grades also tend to be higher. In general, kids should study about ten minutes per grade level, each weekday. That means a first grader would do ten minutes of homework, while a sixth grader should have about 60 minutes worth of work. If the child has no homework that night, have them spend that time studying. Be sure they prepare the night before a test; you might even offer to help by asking them study questions. As their assignments become more complex, your children will need help with organizational skills, too. Projects like their first book report can be intimidating; the task seems so large, they may not be sure where to begin. Show your child how to break the assignment down into smaller parts. This may help them gain a sense of control over the project. While it's important to reinforce good habits, you should realize that everyone studies differently. Some children like to take a break between school and homework; others want to get it over with. Be flexible. The fact that they complete their work, and do it well, is more important than sticking to a strict timetable. Do, however, set limits on how late they can stay up to finish homework.
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