Homework is a great tool to promote self-learning in students and give a boost to their class performance. However, too much homework can negatively impact the academic performance as well as physical and mental health of our kids.

A research published by the American Psychological Association suggested that more than 70 minutes of homework is too much for adolescents. Researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain also observed that when students were assigned 90 to 100 minutes of homework per day, their Math and Science results started declining.

A 2015 study found that the elementary school students were getting nearly three times the homework than it is recommended. The National Education Association and the National Parent-Teacher Association recommends the ’10-minute’ rule for students which says:

10 minutes of Homework per grade level per night.

It means that if a child is in Grade 5, he or she should not have to do more than 50 minutes of homework every day.

Denise Pope, in his study published in the Journal of Experimental Education, found excessive homework was associated high academic stress and its physical impacts which included ulcers and other stomach problems, migraines, weight loss, sleep deprivation and exhaustion.

No wonder more and more students are seeking assignment help solutions online.

Here are some of the ways in which you can help your kids manage their homework as well as homework anxiety successfully:

DID YOU KNOW?

Too much homework can cause stress, depression

and even lower grades.

Know the Symptoms

Does your child seem stressed when he sits down to do his homework? Does he does not want to go school anymore or forgets to bring his assignments home? Does he deny getting any assignments?

These may all be symptoms of homework-related anxiety of stress.

Some other symptoms include headaches or stomach aches, tantrums in doing homework, sadness in the child when faced with homework and have trouble falling asleep.

Identify the Issue

Children find homework stressful for a myriad of reasons:

• Perfectionists may suffer from performance anxiety. They might be afraid that they won’t be able to do it right.
• Some find it hard to manage time. A little organization and time management skills may do wonders for them.
• Many children experience anxiety about homework.
• There are children who find it hard to concentrate on the task at hand – either because they feel exhausted after school or because they may be suffering from ADHD or other learning disorders. While allowing them to nap for some time may solve the former problem, the right kind of intervention might be necessary in the latter case.

Family conflicts, the divorce of parents, shifting the home, arrival of a new sibling or baby in the household, and being bullied at school or by neighborhood friends are some of the other reasons why kids might not be able to do their homework.

Empathy and Encouragement

Like all anxiety disorders, homework anxiety too needs to be handled gently – and it all starts with communication. Allow the child to open up to you.

Empathize with him with the words like, “Homework seems challenging, doesn’t it?” and offer him help to find solutions to a given problem. A quiet space and a few additional reference books may help. If necessary, talk to the school teachers or subject experts who can help them with specialized knowledge and skills.

Routine and Consistency

It has been observed that setting aside a specific time and space to do homework help students to concentrate on it better. A study room or a study corner with minimal distractions and a particular number of hours set aside to complete homework and study – helps kids to perform better.

It is even better if the parent or the caretaker of the child can sit with the child and do something productive too. Things that can be done quietly, such as reading a book or paying bills are some of the things that can be done during this period. This helps the child to absorb that the ’homework time’ is not only for him but also a part of the adults’ routines – which in turn can prove to be a good example for him.

Making Mistakes is Okay

It is very important to communicate to the student that the homework assignments are meant to be a part of his learning – and it is acceptable to make mistakes unknowingly. Appreciate their efforts and help them in solving problems if it seems necessary.

Giving hints to a possible solution may also help reduce some of the stress.

If the homework stresses out your kid, maybe its time to be more involved with the child and help him some more.

Homework stress is not only limited to school students. College students get stressed too. 80% of college students said that they sometimes or often felt stressed, 34% felt depressed within the last 90 days, 20% felt stressed ‘most of the time’ while 10% suffered from suicidal thoughts.

The psychologists suggest that studying regularly and consistently, and taking practice tests can help reduce test anxiety. Finding a tutor to explain concepts or double-checking your work may help college students to reduce their academic stress.

Regular exercise, proper eating habits, and adequate sleep are considered must for college students who are living away from homes – and are responsible for taking care of themselves.

Author Bio: Aditya Singhal is the co-founder of Transtutors, a leading Online Education platform for college students. Having graduated from prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Delhi, Aditya has a personal interest in helping students.