Now that it’s the end of the year, it’s crunch-time for a lot of students who are finishing up homework assignments and preparing final projects.
As adults, we can look back and admit that homework, as much of a chore as it was, helped us prepare for the grown up world. There are many skills that homework helps to develop.
Improves Time Management
Grades may go up and down, but students’ time management is a learned skill that will shape their future habits. There is a set number of hours in the day, and today’s students seem to have more assignments to complete than ever before. Students must anticipate the number of hours they will need to complete a task, and work within their own time frame to complete it. When successful, they hand in their work on time, but late assignments often get docked marks, which is a great lesson on the consequences of poor time management.
Helps Build Independence
Even if you help your child with their homework, school assignments are individual tasks. Working on homework instills a sense of responsibility, and is one of the first ways we see our children follow through with a project from start to finish—all on their own.
Teaches Students to Be Proactive
Parents can attest that when it comes to completing homework assignments, many students procrastinate. When students are proactive about completing their assignments, they feel good because they aren’t stressed to meet the deadline and often produce higher quality work. This behaviour often leads to better grades and an increased sense of pride in the work they produce.
Teaches Problem Solving Skills
Homework provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop problem-solving skills early on in life. Students are required to apply what they learned that day in class, and then given a related assignment that encourages them to apply critical thinking, research, analysis, writing, editing and general problem solving skills. These processes eventually become ingrained into their work ethic, and are carried forward into adulthood. The problems will be different, of course, but this level of critical thinking and methodology remains.
Helps Curate Their Interests
Your child may have a few subjects that stand out as their favourites. Homework can help to further develop a child’s interest in these subjects, as well as develop interests in other areas they may not have previously considered. This curation can have a hand in developing their academic career.
If your child is struggling with their homework or is having trouble keeping up in class, they may find the idea of homework discouraging. Contact Scholars to find out how we can help with homework struggles, and to book a free assessment. Find a tutor near you.