How can parents find the delicate balance between helping a child with their homework, and overhelping - or even doing it for them?
Education lecturer Melissa Barnes has analysed more than 400 research studies on the topic.
Photo: Public domain
Melissa Barnes, Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University Photo: Supplied
Barnes says that while parent involvement in a child's learning can help improve how they do in school, when it comes to homework, parents should be cautious about their approach.
Kids who are overhelped with homework show higher levels of motivation, but lower levels of academic achievement.
Some parents focus too much on completion, Barnes says, but research suggests they are better off helping their child see their homework as an opportunity to learn.
She recommends talk to your child about what the purpose of a task is: 'I have to do something. What is required? How will I do it? And how will I know when I've achieved it?'
It's often daunting for young people to be faced with a task that seems very unwieldy. Helping your kids learn to tackle tasks and break them down into do-able steps on their own is a way to help prepare them for life beyond school, she says.
Overall, the aim is to encourage your kids to love the idea of learning.
"Learning happens every second of the day and it can be very enjoyable."
Melissa Barnes is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University.
You can read her article How to help your kids with homework (without doing it for them) on The Conversation
