how does homework teach discipline

Developing Good Homework Habits

Some children get right down to work without much encouragement. Others need help making the transition from playing to a homework frame of mind. Sometimes providing a ten-minute warning is all it takes to help a child get ready mentally as well as to move to the place she intends to work.

There is no universally right time to do homework. In some families, children do best if they tackle their homework shortly after returning home from school in the mid afternoon; other youngsters may do best if they devote the after-school hours to unwinding and playing, leaving their homework until the evening, when they may feel a renewed sense of vigor. Let your child have some say in the decision making. Homework can often become a source of conflict between parent and child—"Johnny, why can't you just do your homework with­out arguing about it?"—but if you agree on a regular time and place, you can eliminate two of the most frequent causes of homework-related dissension.

Some parents have found that their children respond poorly to a dictated study time (such as four o'clock every afternoon). Instead, youngsters are given guidelines ("No video games until your homework is done"). Find out what works best for both your child and the family as a whole. Once this is de­termined, stick with it.

Some youngsters prefer that a parent sit with them as they do their home­work. You may find this an acceptable request, particularly if you have your own reading or paperwork to complete. However, do not actually do the homework for your child. She may need some assistance getting focused and started and organizing her approach to the assignment. Occasionally, you may need to ex­plain a math problem; in those cases, let your child try a couple of problems first before offering to help. But if she routinely requires your active participation to get her everyday homework done, then talk to her teacher. Your child may need stronger direction in the classroom so that she is able to complete the assign­ments on her own or with less parental involvement. One area where children may need parental help is in organizing how much work will have to be done daily to finish a long assignment, such as a term paper or a science project.

If your child or her teacher asks you to review her homework, you may want to look it over before she takes it to school the next morning. Usually it is best if homework remains the exclusive domain of the child and the teacher. However, your input may vary depending on the teacher's philosophy and the purpose of homework. If the teacher is using homework to check your child's understand­ing of the material—thus giving the teacher an idea of what needs to be empha­sized in subsequent classroom teaching sessions—your suggestions for changes and improvements on your child's paper could prove misleading. On the other hand, if the teacher assigns homework to give your child practice in a particular subject area and to reinforce what has already been taught in class, then your participation can be valuable. Some teachers use homework to help children develop self-discipline and organizational and study skills. Be sure to praise your youngster for her efforts and success in doing her homework well.

In general, support your child in her homework, but do not act as a taskmas­ter. Provide her with a quiet place, supplies, encouragement, and occasional help—but it is her job to do the work. Homework is your youngster's respon­sibility, not yours.

As the weeks pass, keep in touch with your child's teacher regarding home­work assignments. If your youngster is having ongoing problems—difficulty understanding what the assignments are and how to complete them—or if she breezes through them as though they were no challenge at all, let the teacher know. The teacher may adjust the assignments so they are more in sync with your youngster's capabilities.

Whether or not your child has homework on a particular night, consider reading aloud with her after school or at night. This type of shared experience can help interest your child in reading, as well as give you some personal time with her. Also, on days when your child does not have any assigned home­work, this shared reading time will reinforce the habit of a work time each evening.

To further nurture your child's love of reading, set a good example by spend­ing time reading on your own, and by taking your youngster to the library and/or bookstore to select books she would like to read. Some families turn off the TV each night for at least thirty minutes, and everyone spends the time reading. As children get older, one to two hours may be a more desirable length of time each day to set aside for reading and other constructive activities.

As important as it is for your child to develop good study habits, play is also important for healthy social, emotional, and physical growth and develop­ment. While encouraging your child to complete her assignments or do some additional reading, keep in mind that she has already had a lengthy and per haps tiring day of learning at school and needs some free time. Help her find the play activities that best fit her temperament and personality—whether it is organized school sports or music lessons, free-play situations (riding her bike, playing with friends), or a combination of these.

Homework and Developing Responsibility

As children enter the fourth grade, the purpose of homework changes to some extent. In grades one to three, students are learning to read; thereafter, they are reading to learn. In fourth grade both schoolwork and homework become more challenging. Learning tasks require more organization and more sus­tained attention and effort.

Because of this change, homework becomes a more integral part of children’s learning and is reflected more in their academic record. This shift comes at a good time, since at about the fourth grade; chil­dren are ready for and want more autonomy and responsibility and less parental hovering and interference.

Homework for older children has a number of purposes. It provides an op­portunity for review and reinforcement of skills that have been mastered and encourages practicing skills that are not. Homework also is an opportunity for children to learn self-discipline and organizational skills and to take responsi­bility for their own learning.

Many of the same suggestions for approaching homework that were recom­mended for younger children apply to older children as well. Homework is best done when the child has had a chance to unwind from school or after-school activities, is rested, and is not hungry. You and your child should agree upon a regular schedule for when homework will be done, and the length of time that should be devoted to it. This schedule should provide predictability and structure but should be sufficiently flexible to respond to special situa­tions. Some children do best if their homework time is divided into several short sessions instead of a single long one.

Usually parents can be helpful by assisting their child in getting settled and started. You can look together at each day’s homework assignment and decide what parts might require help from you, a sibling, or a classmate. The most dif­ficult parts should be done first. Reviewing for tests and rote memorization tasks also should be done early and then repeated at the end of the homework session or first thing the next morning. As is the case for younger children, homework should be done in a location with few distractions (no television, radio, telephone, video games, comics, toys, or conversation), and where all the necessary supplies and reference materials are available.

Here are some specific suggestions on how to approach homework of dif­ferent types:

Reading Assignments

• Divide chapters into small units or use the author’s headings as a guide.
• Find the topic sentence or the main idea for each paragraph and under­line it or write it down.
• Write a section-by-section outline of the reading assignment, copying or paraphrasing the main points; leave some room to write in notes from class discussions.

Writing (Composition)

• Begin by recognizing that the first draft will not be the last, and that rewriting will produce better work.
• Make a list of as many ideas as possible without worrying about whether they are good or correct.
• Organize these “brainstorm” ideas into clusters that seem reasonable, and then arrange the clusters into a logical sequence.
• Write down thoughts as to why these clusters were made and why the order makes sense.
• Use this work as an outline and write a first draft; at this stage, do not worry about spelling or punctuation.
• Meaning:  Does it make sense and meet the purpose of the assignment?
• Paragraph formation:  Does each paragraph have a topic sentence and are the other sentences logically related?
• Sentence formation:  Does each sentence express a complete thought? Are capitalization and punctuation correct?
• Word:  Was the best word chosen? Is it spelled correctly?
• Neatness:  Is the paper easy to read? Does it follow the format and style the teacher expects?
• Work toward mastering the basic facts and operations (addition, sub­traction, multiplication, and division) until they become automatic. Do this work in small doses, and limit the number of facts to three to five each session. Use writing, flash cards, and oral quizzes.
• Be sure the basic concepts of computation are well understood. Do com­putation homework slowly and check the results, since if the facts are un­derstood, most errors come from being careless.
• Use money examples when learning decimals.
• For fractions, use visual or concrete aids rather than oral explanations.

Studying for Tests

• Gather together homework assignments, class notes, outlines, quizzes, and handouts, and arrange them chronologically (by date).
• Four days before the test, read the information through in a general way.
• Three days before the test, look at major titles of sections in notes and books.
• Two days before the test, review the titles of sections and read the infor­mation and organize it into related clusters.
• The night before the test, repeat the process of the night before and re­cite as much as you can from memory.

Is Homework Good for Kids? Here’s What the Research Says

A s kids return to school, debate is heating up once again over how they should spend their time after they leave the classroom for the day.

The no-homework policy of a second-grade teacher in Texas went viral last week , earning praise from parents across the country who lament the heavy workload often assigned to young students. Brandy Young told parents she would not formally assign any homework this year, asking students instead to eat dinner with their families, play outside and go to bed early.

But the question of how much work children should be doing outside of school remains controversial, and plenty of parents take issue with no-homework policies, worried their kids are losing a potential academic advantage. Here’s what you need to know:

For decades, the homework standard has been a “10-minute rule,” which recommends a daily maximum of 10 minutes of homework per grade level. Second graders, for example, should do about 20 minutes of homework each night. High school seniors should complete about two hours of homework each night. The National PTA and the National Education Association both support that guideline.

But some schools have begun to give their youngest students a break. A Massachusetts elementary school has announced a no-homework pilot program for the coming school year, lengthening the school day by two hours to provide more in-class instruction. “We really want kids to go home at 4 o’clock, tired. We want their brain to be tired,” Kelly Elementary School Principal Jackie Glasheen said in an interview with a local TV station . “We want them to enjoy their families. We want them to go to soccer practice or football practice, and we want them to go to bed. And that’s it.”

A New York City public elementary school implemented a similar policy last year, eliminating traditional homework assignments in favor of family time. The change was quickly met with outrage from some parents, though it earned support from other education leaders.

New solutions and approaches to homework differ by community, and these local debates are complicated by the fact that even education experts disagree about what’s best for kids.

The research

The most comprehensive research on homework to date comes from a 2006 meta-analysis by Duke University psychology professor Harris Cooper, who found evidence of a positive correlation between homework and student achievement, meaning students who did homework performed better in school. The correlation was stronger for older students—in seventh through 12th grade—than for those in younger grades, for whom there was a weak relationship between homework and performance.

Cooper’s analysis focused on how homework impacts academic achievement—test scores, for example. His report noted that homework is also thought to improve study habits, attitudes toward school, self-discipline, inquisitiveness and independent problem solving skills. On the other hand, some studies he examined showed that homework can cause physical and emotional fatigue, fuel negative attitudes about learning and limit leisure time for children. At the end of his analysis, Cooper recommended further study of such potential effects of homework.

Despite the weak correlation between homework and performance for young children, Cooper argues that a small amount of homework is useful for all students. Second-graders should not be doing two hours of homework each night, he said, but they also shouldn’t be doing no homework.

Not all education experts agree entirely with Cooper’s assessment.

Cathy Vatterott, an education professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, supports the “10-minute rule” as a maximum, but she thinks there is not sufficient proof that homework is helpful for students in elementary school.

“Correlation is not causation,” she said. “Does homework cause achievement, or do high achievers do more homework?”

Vatterott, the author of Rethinking Homework: Best Practices That Support Diverse Needs , thinks there should be more emphasis on improving the quality of homework tasks, and she supports efforts to eliminate homework for younger kids.

“I have no concerns about students not starting homework until fourth grade or fifth grade,” she said, noting that while the debate over homework will undoubtedly continue, she has noticed a trend toward limiting, if not eliminating, homework in elementary school.

The issue has been debated for decades. A TIME cover in 1999 read: “Too much homework! How it’s hurting our kids, and what parents should do about it.” The accompanying story noted that the launch of Sputnik in 1957 led to a push for better math and science education in the U.S. The ensuing pressure to be competitive on a global scale, plus the increasingly demanding college admissions process, fueled the practice of assigning homework.

“The complaints are cyclical, and we’re in the part of the cycle now where the concern is for too much,” Cooper said. “You can go back to the 1970s, when you’ll find there were concerns that there was too little, when we were concerned about our global competitiveness.”

Cooper acknowledged that some students really are bringing home too much homework, and their parents are right to be concerned.

“A good way to think about homework is the way you think about medications or dietary supplements,” he said. “If you take too little, they’ll have no effect. If you take too much, they can kill you. If you take the right amount, you’ll get better.”

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The Importance of Teaching Kids Self-Discipline

Akiko Aoki / Moment / Getty Images

Your discipline tactics shouldn't be about controlling your child. Instead, discipline should be about teaching your child how to control himself. Kids who learn self-discipline will be better equipped to face life's challenges, manage stress, and make healthy choices even when you're not around.

What Self-Discipline Means

Just because a child is well-behaved, it doesn’t necessarily mean he has self-discipline. Self-disciplined kids can choose to forgo immediate gratification. They can make good choices regardless of how they feel.

Kids who have self-discipline can cope with uncomfortable emotions in a healthy way. They’ve learned anger management skills and are able to control impulsive behavior. They can respond respectfully when adults correct them and they can take responsibility for their behavior.

They’ve also learned to make healthy choices for themselves based on weighing the pros and cons of their choices. Instead of saying, “I have to do this because my parents said so,” they recognize the importance of making healthy choices. They can make good decisions in terms of chores , homework , money , peer pressure and self-care.

When kids lack self-discipline, parents often end up taking more responsibility for the child’s behavior. Nagging a child to do his homework or making repeated threats to try and motivate a child to do chores often means a parent puts in more effort than the child does to get the work done.

Teaching kids self-discipline skills while they’re young can help them throughout their lives. People who never learn self-discipline skills tend to struggle to keep healthy habits, even into adulthood. Managing schoolwork, employment, money and household responsibilities all require self-discipline. Adults who lack self-discipline may struggle with problems such as time management and money management.  

Examples of a Lack of Self-Discipline

• A 4-year-old interrupts conversations between adults repeatedly because he can’t wait for his turn to speak.
• A 6-year-old constantly gets out of bed because she has trouble tolerating boredom while she's trying to fall asleep.
• An 8-year-old sneaks junk food the minute his parents are out of his sight.
• A 10-year-old spends his spare time at school playing with his pencils, rather than doing his work.
• A 12-year-old says he wants to learn how to play the violin but he never practices.
• A 14-year-old accepts a dare from a friend and attempts to steal a candy bar from a store.
• A 16-year-old can’t resist answering a text message while she’s driving.
• An 18-year-old chooses to spend time socializing instead of doing the work necessary for her college classes.

Examples of Self-Discipline

• A 4-year-old asks an adult for help, instead of retaliating aggressively when a peer takes her toy.
• A 6-year-old dresses himself right after breakfast without needing a reminder.
• An 8-year-old child declines to join her friends who are teasing another child.
• A 10-year-old sits down to do his homework after he eats his afterschool snack.
• A 12-year-old saves her allowance money each week until she can purchase a new game that she has been wanting.
• A 14-year-old tells his friends he can’t come over because he needs to study for a test.
• A 16-year-old chooses not to go to a party with friends because she thinks there may be some underage drinking at the party.
• An 18-year-old refuses to cheat on a test when his friend offers him the answers.

Teaching Self-Discipline Skills

Learning self-discipline is a life-long process and all kids will struggle with self-discipline at various times. Give your child age-appropriate tools to help him practice resisting temptations and delaying gratification.

The good news is, the more self-disciplined your child becomes, the less discipline he'll need from you. When your child accepts responsibility for his own behavior, you won't need to use as many negative consequences. Instead, you'll be able to focus on teaching your child new skills and building a healthy relationship.

Kim J, Hong H, Lee J, Hyun MH. Effects of time perspective and self-control on procrastination and Internet addiction .  J Behav Addict . 2017;6(2):229–236. doi:10.1556/2006.6.2017.017

By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, an international bestselling author of books on mental strength and host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. She delivered one of the most popular TEDx talks of all time.

Education resources › Blog › 6 self-regulation skills homework helps students develop

6 self-regulation skills homework helps students develop

• Metacognition

Written by the InnerDrive team | Edited by Bradley Busch

Homework has become a staple part of school systems. It gives students the chance to consolidate what they have learned in class by practising it independently. But as well as improving learning, research also suggests that homework can help students develop one of life’s most important skills: self-regulation.

Self-regulation is students’ ability to monitor and manage their behaviours, thoughts, and emotions as they try to progress toward their goals. It is key for developing  independent learners  who take charge of their own learning.

So, what makes homework so good for developing self-regulation skills?

1. Time management and planning

If students want to complete their homework in time to meet the deadline their teacher set, they need to plan ahead, make sure their plan is feasible, and then stick to it. This allows them to consistently practise and hone their time management skills.

Research has shown  that students often struggle with this and can  underestimate how long it will take  to complete a task (this is known as the “Planning Fallacy”). Therefore, having the opportunity to allocate their time accordingly gives them a more accurate base for guessing how to do so again in the future.

2. Persisting with difficult tasks

Homework tasks can be challenging. Students need the persistence to complete them independently.

A key to students developing persistence is to believe that they can accomplish the task to fuel their motivation. Fortunately,  research has shown  that homework activities can help develop self-belief in students of all ages. Some students may need  assistance  with getting started on their homework independently, but when they are on a roll, they could see some improvements in their self-belief and ability to persist through difficult tasks – making future homework easier to get through.

3. Reducing distractions

Avoiding getting distracted is key to get any task done – especially homework. The  growing use of phones  among students makes this skill even more essential.

Research suggests  that reducing distractions during homework is related to overall achievement and shows that high-achieving students are more prone to have this skill than their low-achieving peers.

So, what can students do to stay on task while completing homework? Some easy strategies include:

• Putting their phone away  in another room
• Choosing a quiet space to work, away from the TV
• Turning off their music

4. Organising their environment

A focused environment is essential for students to concentrate on their homework, but it’s not just about getting rid of distractions. It’s also about surrounding themselves with only the tools that they will need or that will help them and making sure that their environment allows them to complete their homework efficiently.

Again, this gives students the opportunity to practise organising their working environment, which is an important self-regulatory skill that can help them complete tasks more productively.

5. Overcoming unwanted emotions

Self-control of emotions is another self-regulatory skill that helps students to manage their behaviour. It can be a little bit more difficult for students to manage their emotions as  research has concluded  that the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain largely responsible for this, does not fully develop until age 25.

Doing homework allows students to practise overcoming their frustrations in the face of challenges. A key to this is to  develop their mindset , to believe that with effort, curiosity and a good outlook on setbacks, they can achieve the task at hand.

6. Reflecting on what they have learned

Finally, homework can help students develop self-reflection, which is a  metacognitive skill  as well as a self-regulation skill.

Essentially, this means that students are aware of which learning strategies are working for them and what they can do to elevate their learning. For example, they can  ask themselves reflective questions  throughout the homework task to monitor their progress and see how they can improve their thinking processes.

For example,  research has shown  that reflecting on learning during homework helped increase the academic achievement of 9–10-year-olds after only 5 weeks of training.

Final thoughts

Self-regulation skills are necessary for students in both their educational and personal lives. Homework is a low-cost and effective way to develop these skills for students across all age groups.

This is not to say that other extra-curricular activities such as sport, dance, music or drama can’t also help nurture these skills. However, evidence suggests that homework is certainly one vehicle for students to practice and enhance their self-regulatory behaviours.

About the editor

Bradley Busch

Bradley Busch is a Chartered Psychologist and a leading expert on illuminating Cognitive Science research in education. As Director at InnerDrive, his work focuses on translating complex psychological research in a way that is accessible and helpful. He has delivered thousands of workshops for educators and students, helping improve how they think, learn and perform. Bradley is also a prolific writer: he co-authored four books including Teaching & Learning Illuminated and The Science of Learning , as well as regularly featuring in publications such as The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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The Importance Of Homework

MSU Extension

Homework: help your child develop key homework skills.

Holly B. Tiret, Michigan State University Extension - September 20, 2012

Explore suggestions to encourage the development of critical homework skills including organization, time management and basic study strategies

One key skill your child needs to develop is organization. It is easier to get started on homework when the basics are there, such as having a homework site, creating a filing system or using other visual organizers like a planner. Another key skill is developing time management. Children need a consistent time to study to help reduce or eliminate distractions. They need proper sleep, adequate breaks and an ability to predict the length of bigger projects or assignments. In addition, children need to have good study strategy skills. It helps if they know a variety of strategies such as rewriting, drawing, memorizing aloud and using flash cards.

Help your child develop a daily homework checklist:

• Copy homework assignments with teacher’s instructions
• Bring home any necessary materials
• Start homework at the set time
• Make an effort to do the homework well
• Place homework by the door ready to take back to school

Other ways to help your children improve their homework skills include spending time together. While your child is studying you can sit with them and read, study something new or catch up on local news, that way you can be available to help your child if needed. It may helpful to meet with your child at the beginning of the semesters to help them break down large assignments into manageable tasks. Be sure to monitor their progress. Work together with your child to manage interruptions, phone calls or friends who might stop by.

Talk with your child to get input on how to handle homework habits. Ask them what time of day is easiest for them to study. Find out what homework they find the most interesting and what is the most challenging for them. Discuss your family values about school, homework and education.

Helping your child develop the key homework skills of organization, time management and basic study strategies will translate into school success and life-long learning skills. By being open and getting your child’s input you are setting up a more cooperative family atmosphere.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Helping Your Child Gain Independence with Homework

Fostering independence is accomplished by moving your child from dependence on you to dependence on homework buddies and material resources (e.g., references, lists, reminders). Remember that focusing on what is right about your child is the best way to help him or her strengthen and develop homework completion skills.

Although young children require your close observation, support, and your ability to identify their work style and preferences, eventually you must provide your child with opportunities for decision making, planning, and goal setting. This is particularly important to achieve prior to the adolescent years when there is a more delicate balance between assistance and interference. As we have written in previous columns, during the elementary years, perhaps even more important than the goal of practice and rehearsal, homework helps your child develop the skills necessary to become an independent learner. Independent learning is a critically important skill for middle, high school and college success.

By laying this important foundation you and your teen will be prepared when he or she expresses a preference to work alone and your assistance may be perceived as an intrusion. Many teenagers find parent help with homework an unwelcome offer. By the late elementary school years your involvement may be most effective when it is defined as awareness and monitoring, rather than direct assistance or physical supervision. By the middle school years homework should be completed independently. You should act as a consultant and information source rather than a task master or supervisor. Forcing your assistance on your child at any age will only result in conflict and reduced motivation.

Authors: Dr. Sam Goldstein and Dr. Sydney Zentall

• Our Mission

How to Help Students Develop the Skills They Need to Complete Homework

Middle and high school students can learn to work more efficiently by using strategies that improve their executive function skills.

The effects of homework are mixed. While adolescents across middle and high school have an array of life situations that can make doing homework easier or harder, it’s well known that homework magnifies inequity . However, we also know that learning how to manage time and work independently outside of the school day is valuable for lifelong learning. From the homework wars  to students who have little time for homework to students who don’t even know where to begin, everyone can agree that kids who can self-regulate and engage in independent rehearsal are better positioned for whatever the future holds.

How can we empower students to overcome barriers to doing homework well?

Executive Functioning

Homework is partially an assessment of executive functioning. Executive functioning and self-regulation take time to develop. They depend on three types of critical brain function: working memory, mental flexibility, and self-regulation .

Let’s break this down to consider how to improve their efficiency.

Working memory: Don’t hold everything in your head; it is not possible. When doing homework, students should write down their ideas, whether they are notes while reading, numbers when working through a math problem, or non-school-related reminders about chores, such as remembering to take the dog for a walk. Clearing working memory for the immediate task at hand allows the brain to focus as the strain is reduced.

Mental flexibility: As students build their independence and grow their homework routines, seeing an array of strategies, or more than one way to solve a problem, is important. Consider the results when a child gets stuck and doesn’t know what to do to get unstuck or when one keeps trying the same failed approach. Chunking homework helps simplify the process. When stuck, a student looks at a smaller piece, which makes it easier to see other solutions. More practice with mental flexibility happens when others model thinking in different ways, and students practice flexible thinking with partners by asking them: What is another way? Use this bubble map to chart out multiple ways.

Self-regulation: Learning how to prioritize work and stick with it by not giving in to impulses is a skill that students develop over time . One way to teach self-regulation is to have students practice control by concentrating for short periods of time with the goal of building up to longer, more sustained periods of time as the year progresses. For a child who struggles with reading for an extended time, start with five minutes and then build from there.

Another self-regulation tip is creating a plan to overcome distractions. What happens when the child stumbles? Three minutes into reading and a student is reaching for their cell phone. Recommend that they practice moving the cell phone away from the homework area, and summarize before returning to the reading. Stops and starts are frustrating and often result in lost homework time. Have students practice responses to distraction, and make this part of their homework. When a student struggles to stay on task, they should be encouraged to remove any distraction in order to regain focus.

Use classroom assessment as a tool to plan for and support student homework. Record the following information for students:

• Do they write, read, and/or solve problems in class? For how many minutes independently?
• What is the quality of their work? Are they actually learning, or are they just going through the motions?
• Do they know how to strategize on their own or get help from a peer when they’re stuck? Observe them and take notes, and/or have them reflect on this question.

We cannot expect that students will independently practice a skill they don’t engage with during class. If it doesn't happen in the classroom, it's not going to happen at home. The teacher should be able to realistically gauge how much and what students might achieve at home. A suggestion to build independence is to use task analysis . Here is a model . For students who struggle with getting homework done, at first they may not actually do homework; rather, they practice the routines of setting up and getting started.

Direct Instruction

The following are some techniques that help students with homework:

• Mindful meditation to gain focus
• Prioritizing and estimating time
• Filtering out distractions

Peers as Partners

Class partnership routines need practice. With strong partnerships, kids learn how to support and learn from each other. Access to teachers will never match the unlimited access to peers. The hours that students who achieve at high levels put in after class are often spent alone rehearsing the content or with peers who push each other to improve.

Class-to-Home Connection

While some students struggle with executive functioning, others rush through their homework. The most important step in having homework count is to make it seamless, not separate from class. Homework flows from classwork. Especially with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous work, now there is no homework, just work done for our classes. Consistent instructional goals with engaging and meaningful tasks help students see the value in working beyond the last bell.

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How Homework Can Help Build Self-Esteem and Confidence

Self-esteem and homework, is there a connection? This is the second area of the homework topic that no one seems to be talking about. The second redeeming benefit of 15 minutes a day of homework is teaching a sense of self-esteem. Kids need to feel like they belong, can contribute, and are needed. They also need to feel confident, have a sense of achievement, respect of self and others.

Self-esteem, confidence, friendship, problem-solving are all part of every human’s basic needs. When kids complete their homework, they feel good about themselves. Their self-esteem goes up a notch. When they produce a complete assignment, they feel worthwhile. When this happens over and over again, you have kids that are filled with self-esteem.

William Glasser, noted psychiatrist believes that humans have two basic needs:

• Meaningful involvement or connections with someone else
• Meaningful contribution so we feel worthwhile to ourselves and each other (producing and contributing)

According to Abraham Maslow, psychiatrist and psychology professor, when we meet our basic human needs, we learn more effectively and learning becomes easier.

Maslow is best known for his ‘ Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs ‘.

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Self-Control

7 tips to develop children's self-discipline, disciplining young children calls for consistency and kindness..

Posted August 5, 2020 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

Disciplining our sons to be tidy was futile. As they were growing up, I tried the Family- Teamwork , the Because-I-Said-So, and the If-It-Isn’t-In-The-Hamper-I-Won’t-Wash-It techniques, without success.

Finally, when both boys were away at college, our home became pleasantly clutter-free. Then our eldest graduated and came home to live and work in Washington. We welcomed his return. The house, however, resumed its former disorderliness.

One day, relaxing together in the littered family room, I said, “I hope you know how happy we are to have you home, even if it’s probably not much fun for you.”

He said, “I do know. Actually, I’m glad to be home. It’s fine.”

I added, “Do you know how much I appreciate your efforts to pick up after yourself?”

Immediately, he scooped up his sneakers, smartphone, and mail and laughed, “Was that a trick question?”

No, that was not a trick question. That question was, to my surprise, the Sincerely-Sympathetic discipline technique that finally worked!

Discipline is teaching someone—specifically, a child—to behave in a civilized manner. The goal of discipline is self-discipline, so that the child internalizes moral and behavioral codes taught at your knee and matures as a responsible, considerate, self-regulated adult.

As you seek a technique that works for your family, and especially your young children, here are some gentle reminders:

Discipline now, or punish later. Ideally, discipline precedes and prevents socially unacceptable behavior, whereas punishment follows it. Each has its place, but remember that punishment is negative and may encourage a child to be devious so he won’t get caught again, while discipline is a positive measure that sponsors a child’s self-control .

Be grown-up . Children need authentic, flexible, caring grown-ups who love them unconditionally—especially when they are annoying you greatly. Suppose your child frantically scratches an itchy rash until she bleeds. It doesn’t help to say, “Stop scratching. Do you want to be scarred for life?” Instead, say, “I know you itch all over, but scratching makes it worse. Let’s put lotion on your skin to soothe it.” Find solutions and model rational behavior so that your child learns coping and problem-solving skills.

Be consistent. Suppose your child clamors for attention the moment you arrive home, before you even set down your bag or jacket. If you respond calmly today but irritably tomorrow, your child will get a fuzzy message about your expectations. Try a consistent approach, such as, “Please give me a chance to put my things down and change my shoes. Then I’ll be ready to hear all about your day.” Then, do it: Put your things down, change your shoes, and give your child your undivided attention. Consistency pays.

Give the child some control. Say your young child would like to watch television or play video games constantly, and you are concerned that she is not getting sufficient sensory-motor activity, is not playing outdoors, and is not interacting with the family. What you think she needs may not impress her, so strike a deal: She may watch TV or play a video game for one hour after supper, and then choose a bedtime story, a board game, or another activity that she likes. Remember the Law of Equivalency, one definition of which says that when you take something away, you must replace it with something of equal value. Remember, too, that parental approval and involvement are the young child’s most meaningful reinforcements.

Build on what the child does right . Suppose he does half his homework and then heads outside with his basketball. Rather than saying, “Smart students like your brother complete their work before they play,” try, “It’s great that you’ve made a dent in your homework. Shooting a few baskets will refresh you so you can finish the job.” Praise and understanding always outshine blame, shame , and disrespect.

Be future-oriented . Maybe you are fastidious, and your son loves mud. Maybe you want to read the newspaper, and he wants to talk about Power Rangers. Maybe you like soft classical music, and he likes loud kids’ rap. Before you discipline him, consider your long-range goals . Do you want him to learn about his environment through hands-on exploration, improve his communication skills, and develop a personal aesthetic sense—or do you want him just to obey?

Discipline to provide a sense of belonging . “In our family, we don’t do that,” is effective for offenses from open-mouthed chewing to hurling snowballs at cars. Avoid commenting, “Don’t ever let me catch you doing that again,” because a child may take that as a challenge to keep doing it when she’s sure you won’t watch. Discipline should be inclusive, not exclusive, so that the child feels connected to his family and to his community at large.

If one technique doesn’t succeed, try, try another—and remember to keep your sense of humor !

Carol Stock Kranowitz is an internationally-recognized expert on sensory processing disorder, or SPD. She is the author of the “Sync” series, which began with the acclaimed The Out-of-Sync-Child .

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Home » The Importance of Homework in Learning

The Importance of Homework in Learning

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Cognitive - Articles

The last thing that children would want to do after a long day at school is homework. It is difficult to make them do their homework because they are often too tired from school and other co-curricular activities. They are also distracted by the games and other forms of entertainment at home. This is a real challenge for parents because it often starts dispute between them and their children especially when their children refuse to do their homework. However, it is important to know that while doing homework merely feels like completing a task just because it was assigned by the school, homework does play an important role in the learning process of children.

• Homework teaches children to be independent, to take initiative and responsibility for completing a task, and it helps children to develop a sense of self-discipline. Doing school work at home helps the children to practice working alone without asking for help from their classmates and teachers.
• Homework teaches children to be resourceful. As they must do things on their own, they have to learn how to use available sources of information at home such as the internet and books. This boost their confidence in independent problem-solving and in handling situations alone in the future. This also improves their research skills and exposes them to wider range of learning through the usage of additional materials.
• Homework gives an opportunity for parents to monitor their children’s academic progress. Throughout the years, research studies have consistently shown that parental involvement in a child’s learning is an important factor in determining a child’s achievement in school. Homework allows parents to have an active role in their child’s education and helps them to evaluate and monitor their child’s progress. Moreover, the process of doing homework also provides an extra venue for parents to interact and bond with their child.
• Homework allows children recap on the skills, concepts and information that they have learned in class. They get to practice on what they have learned and apply it in their homework. This continuous process of recap and application would provide a stronger reinforcement regarding the information and would allow for a stronger retention of information in their minds and make learning more efficient.

However, as much as doing homework contributes to the learning process of children, it must also be noted that too much homework can cause them stress and exhaustion. Too much pressure can lead to debilitating effects on the child’s health and mental psyche. A child’s health should not be compromised just for the sake of doing homework. As the saying goes “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” Allowing them a 15-minute break in between each task makes a vast difference in the child’s concentration and attention levels towards the tasks.

It must also be noted that homework that are out of their depth will cause the child to lose interest and confidence in the subject. They will feel that no one provide help for them and no matter how hard they try, they are just going to get the questions wrong. So, it is advisable that whenever your child is learning something new in school, take time to sit with them and go through the homework first before allowing them to complete the rest of the homework independently. Don’t forget to also check in on their homework progress every once in a while and help them out. There might be a few things that they have forgotten, or they don’t feel confident enough to attempt independently so it will be good to let the child know that you are always ready to help them and that they are not alone.

Homework Support Program (Please click here to contact us about this service from Cognitive)

Homework Support Program is a service provided to assist children in their homework. The service includes giving additional activities and learning materials for children to help them fully understand the various skills and concepts that they have learnt in school. It also provides a platform for constant revision to take place and allows the child to constantly revise and reinforce on the information that they have learnt before. This program is ideal for families whereby both parents are working. It also provides parents with more opportunities to build and maintain a harmonious relationship with their child because parents will be free from the worries and frustrations regarding their child’s homework issues, thus lessening the probability for arguments to take place.

Bibliography

Atkinson, J. (n.d.). Why Homework is Important . Retrieved from scholastic.com: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/homework-why-it-important/

e-skool. (2010, October 27). E-skool . Retrieved from Top 14 Reason Why Homework is Important: http://blog.eskool.ca/parenting/why-homework-is-important/

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Why is Homework Important?

Why is homework important? Homework can be a divisive topic. In this article, we will discuss why it’s important and how it helps with your child’s development.

There is a strong connection between regularly completing homework and higher accomplishments in subjects such as English, Maths and Science. The Department of Education in the United Kingdom advises that spending time doing homework brings several benefits, more so for the students who put in two to three hours a night. Understanding the value of homework can help increase motivation and productivity. In this article, we’ll help you understand why homework is important and discuss all its benefits for both children and parents.

Benefits of Homework

Homework is important because it develops core skills in young children that will serve them throughout school and working life. Improved grades, discipline, time management, using resources and improving communication are all vital life skills that will open the door to unique opportunities and help children find success in their careers. Doing regular homework should be considered as an investment in your child’s future.

Through encouraging regular homework and supporting your child with their assignments, you can expect to see the following advantages:

1. Discipline of Practice

Repeating a task multiple times can feel arduous, but it’s necessary to help increase your child’s skill and understanding of a subject. Regular homework will make certain concepts easier to understand and put them in an advantageous position should they seek a vocational career.

2. Time Management Skills

Homework goes beyond just the task itself; it helps children take control of their workload and increase their time management skills. Homework is set with a deadline and taking ownership of this deadline helps them think independently and develop problem-solving skills. This is a prime example of why homework is important because time management is a vital life skill that helps children throughout higher education and their careers.

3. Communication Network

Homework acts as a bridge and can help teachers and parents learn more about how students like to learn, providing a deeper understanding of how to approach their learning and development. Many parents also want their child to receive homework so they can understand what they’re learning at school.

4. Comfortable Work Environment

Some children struggle to learn outside of their comfort zone, and while classrooms are designed to be warm and welcoming, there is often no place like home. Homework is an opportunity to learn and retain information in an environment where they feel most comfortable, which can help accelerate their development.

5. Using Learning Materials

Throughout a child’s education, understanding how to use resources such as libraries and the internet is important. Homework teaches children to actively search for information using these resources to complete tasks, and this is a skill that will be fundamental throughout their lives.

6. Revision Discipline

Regular homework helps children discover a pattern that will help them when they’re required to study for important tests and exams. Children who are familiar with a routine of completing homework will find it easy to adapt to a schedule of doing regular revision at home. Skills such as accessing learning materials, time management, and discipline will help improve how children revise, and ultimately, improve their grades.

7. Additional Time to Learn

Children learn at different paces, and the time spent in the classroom might not be enough for some students to fully grasp the key concepts of a subject. Having additional time for learning at home can help children gain a deeper understanding than they would if they were solely reliant on their time in school. Homework is important because it gives parents and children the freedom and the time to focus on subjects that they may be struggling with. This extra time can make a big difference when it comes to exams and grades.

Helping Your Child With Homework

We’ve discussed why it is important to do regular homework, but children may still find it difficult to stay motivated. Parents can play an important role in supporting their child with homework, so here are some of the ways you can help.

1. Homework-friendly Area

Having a dedicated space for children to do homework will help them stay focused. Make sure it is well-lit and stocked with everything they’ll need for their assignments.

2. Routine Study Time

A regular routine helps children get used to working at home. Some children work best in the morning, while others may prefer the afternoon. Work out a routine where your child is their most productive.

3. Make Sure They’re Learning

Homework is important, but only if children use this time to learn. If you do the work for them, they’re not going to see any of the benefits we listed above. It’s important you’re there to support and help them understand the work, so they can do it themselves.

4. Praise Work and Effort

Recognising the hard work that they’re putting in and praising them for it is a great way to get children to respond positively to homework. Pin their impressive test grades up in their homeworking space or around the house for extra motivation.

5. Make a Plan

Children can get overwhelmed if they have a lot of work to do. On homework-heavy nights, help them make a plan and break down the work into sections. This will help make the work more manageable. If your child responds well to this, you could do this each time they sit down to do work at home.

Understanding why homework is important and oftentimes necessary helps improve both motivation and productivity in young children. It also makes parents aware of the role they can play in supporting them. At Nord Anglia Education, we focus on bringing children, parents, and teachers together in a common effort to improve student learning through homework. You can learn more about our schools and the curriculum we teach by exploring our schools .

Want more of the latest insights into education?  Read our INSIGHTS publication here !

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How Homework is Preparing Your Kids for the Future

How homework benefits students in the short and long term.

• child development

Does homework prepare kids for the future?

According to research, students who put effort into their homework assignments improved the development of their conscientiousness. Conscientiousness is a personality trait that characterizes one’s ability to be responsible and reliable . Employers in the workforce highly value responsible and reliable employees, meaning homework does help prepare students for the future and is good for kids overall.

How much homework is too much?

Duke University reviewed more than 60 research studies on homework. The conclusion was that the relationship between the amount of homework students do, and their achievements are positive and statistically significant.

Homework for young students should be short and increase over time. The “ 10-minute rule ” is a good guideline for teachers to go by. The optimum amount of homework is 10 minutes per grade level. For example, a fourth grader should have 40 minutes a night, and a high school senior should have roughly 120 minutes, or two hours, every night.

Stanford research further backs up the “10-minute rule,” suggesting that 90 minutes to two and a half hours of homework is optimal for high school students. Any more than that ends up being counterproductive, resulting in stress and physical health problems.

The benefits of homework

Homework is beneficial because it helps students develop and improve vital skills  that they will use throughout their lives, especially self-regulation . Kids must manage distractions, manage their time, delay gratification, and set goals when they do homework—all these skills are incredibly important to learn to achieve success in life.

As a Time Magazine article states, comprehensive research suggests that students who did homework performed better in school. Additionally, Homework is thought to improve:

• Study habits
• Attitudes toward school
• Self-discipline
• Inquisitiveness
• Independent problem-solving skills

Homework is also helpful because it creates greater understanding between parents and teachers about what children are learning in school and any struggles they might have. It can help clue parents into the existence of possible learning disabilities, so children get help sooner rather than later.

It’s important for parents to explain the importance of homework to their children and encourage them to complete it. Co-parents should strive to relay consistent messaging surrounding schoolwork to their kids. TalkingParents offers several features that can help co-parents communicate about their child’s homework, including Secure Messaging and Accountable Calling . These tools keep all conversations documented, so you can reference anything you need to later.

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Homework and the Myth of Responsibility

Adult reasons for assigning homework vary, but one big one that always comes up is this: Responsibility. "The purpose of homework is to teach students to be responsible as well as reinforcing school curriculum," quote many well-meaning grown-ups, teachers and parents alike.

As for reinforcing school curriculum, the value of that is highly age-dependent as you will read in my book It's OK to Go Up the Slide . If you're looking for academic benefit, a good night's sleep is far more important. And for kids in elementary school, the academic benefit of homework has no statistical significance.

But responsibility? The myth that homework teaches responsibility stubbornly persists. We don't need homework to teach children responsibility. Responsibility is part of life-long growth.

Responsibility is bringing your lunch box home.

Responsibility is feeding the cat.

Responsibility is making your bed each day.

Responsibility is putting on your own coat, even if you're two.

Responsibility is writing thank you notes.

Responsibility is watering the neighbor's plants.

Responsibility is leaving a note if you go for a bike ride.

Responsibility is cleaning out your backpack after school.

Responsibility is putting an apple core in the compost.

Responsibility is getting out the broom when you spill something.

Responsibility is making your own sandwich and pouring your own milk.

Responsibility is remembering to tell dad that Grandma called.

Responsibility is vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, and setting the table.

Responsibility is admitting you're the one who knocked over the plant.

Responsibility is remembering where you put your coat at recess.

Responsibility is bringing two mittens home.

Responsibility is part of learning independence and is interwoven into every day family life. There is also school responsibility - how we take care of the classroom, putting up chairs, cleaning up, using supplies wisely, cleaning the class guinea pig cage.

Responsibility is everywhere. It's up to us to make it age-appropriate. For elementary-aged children, homework is not a responsible use of their time.

In fact, how homework is done often produces the OPPOSITE of responsibility. Homework is assigned too young - often in preschool and kindergarten - so children can't even read the assignments and need adult help and involvement in every step (including remembering). This sets up a years-long struggle between parents and children which involves nagging, procrastinating, and tears. The pattern is set: parents as the Homework Patrol Cops and children as the Avoiders. When children are finally old enough for some meaningful homework (mostly high school, a little practice in 7th & 8th grade), doing and remembering to do homework should be the child's full responsibility.

But for now, start by feeding the cat and remembering to bring home those mittens.

Want to read more? It's OK Not to Share dives into homework and examines its purported benefits and the negative effects it can have for children and families. If your family is struggling with homework, learn more about the research and gain sane, sensible ways to opt out.

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Home > The Pros and Cons of Homework

School Life Balance , Tips for Online Students

The Pros and Cons of Homework

Updated: July 16, 2024

Published: January 23, 2020

Remember those nights when you’d find yourself staring at a mountain of homework, eyes drooping, wondering if you’d ever see the light at the end of the tunnel? The debate over homework’s role in education is as old as time. Is it a crucial tool for reinforcing learning or just an unnecessary burden?

For college students, this question takes on new dimensions. Juggling homework with the endless amount of classes, part-time jobs, and social lives can feel like walking on thin ice. The pressure to maintain grades, meet deadlines, and still find time for friends and relaxation can be overwhelming. So, is homework a friend or foe?

Photo by  energepic.com  from  Pexels

The homework dilemma.

A large amount of college students report feeling overwhelmed by their academic workload, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. According to Research.com , 45% of college students in the U.S. experience “more than average” stress, with 36.5% citing stress as a major impediment to their academic performance. This stress often stems directly from the homework load, leading to symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, and difficulty sleeping. The intense pressure to manage homework alongside other responsibilities makes us question the true impact of homework on students’ overall well-being.

And then there’s the digital twist. A whopping 89% of students confessed to using AI tools like ChatGPT for their assignments. While these tools can be a godsend for quick answers and assistance, they can also undermine the personal effort and critical thinking necessary to truly understand the material.

On the brighter side, homework can be a powerful ally. According to Inside Higher Ed , structured assignments can actually help reduce stress by providing a clear learning roadmap and keeping students engaged with the material. But where’s the balance between helpful and harmful? 

With these perspectives in mind, let’s dive into the pros and cons of homework for college students. By understanding both sides, we can find a middle ground that maximizes learning while keeping stress at bay.

The Pros of Homework

When thoughtfully assigned, homework can be a valuable tool in a student’s educational journey . Let’s explore how homework can be a beneficial companion to your studies:

Enhances Critical Thinking

Homework isn’t just busywork; it’s an opportunity to stretch your mental muscles. Those late-night problem sets and essays can actually encourage deeper understanding and application of concepts. Think of homework as a mental gym; each assignment is a new exercise, pushing you to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information in ways that strengthen your critical thinking skills .

Time Management Skills

Do you ever juggle multiple deadlines and wonder how to keep it all together? Regular homework assignments can be a crash course in time management . They teach you to prioritize tasks, manage your schedule, and balance academic responsibilities with personal commitments. The ability to juggle various tasks is a skill that will serve you well beyond your college years.

Reinforcement of Learning

There’s a reason why practice makes perfect. Homework reinforces what you’ve learned in class, helping to cement concepts and theories in your mind. Understanding a concept during a lecture is one thing, but applying it through homework can deepen your comprehension and retention. 

Preparation for Exams

Think of homework as a sound check and warm-up for exams. Regular assignments keep you engaged with the material, making it easier to review and prepare when exam time rolls around. By consistently working through problems and writing essays, you build a solid foundation that can make the difference between cramming and confident exam performance.

Encourages Independent Learning

Homework promotes a sense of responsibility and independence. It pushes you to tackle assignments on your own, encouraging problem-solving and self-discipline. This independence prepares you for the academic challenges ahead and the autonomy required in your professional and personal life.

The Cons of Homework

Despite its potential benefits, homework can also have significant downsides. Let’s examine the challenges and drawbacks of homework:

Impact on Mental Health

Homework can be a double-edged sword when it comes to mental health . While it’s meant to reinforce learning, the sheer volume of assignments can lead to stress and anxiety. The constant pressure to meet deadlines and the fear of falling behind can create a relentless cycle of stress. Many students become overwhelmed, leading to burnout and negatively impacting their overall well-being. 

Limited Time for Other Activities

College isn’t just about hitting the books. It’s also a time for personal growth, exploring new interests, and building social connections. Excessive homework can eat into the time you might otherwise spend on extracurricular activities, hobbies, or simply hanging out with friends. This lack of balance can lead to a less fulfilling college experience. Shouldn’t education be about more than just academics?

Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to homework, more isn’t always better. Piling on assignments can lead to diminished returns on learning. Instead of diving deep into a subject and gaining a thorough understanding, students might rush through tasks just to get them done. This focus on quantity over quality can undermine the educational value of homework. 

Inequity in Education

Homework can sometimes exacerbate educational inequalities. Not all students can access the same resources and support systems at home. While some might have a quiet space and access to the internet, others might struggle with distractions and lack of resources. This disparity can put certain students at a disadvantage, making homework more of a burden than a learning tool. 

Dependence on AI Tools

With the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT , homework has taken on a new dimension. While these tools can provide quick answers and assistance, they also pose the risk of students becoming overly reliant on technology. This dependence can take away from the actual learning process, as students might bypass the critical thinking and effort needed to truly understand the material. Is convenience worth the potential loss in learning?

Finding the Balance

Finding the right balance with homework means tackling assignments that challenge and support you. Instead of drowning in a sea of tasks, focus on quality over quantity. Choose projects that spark your critical thinking and connect to real-world situations. Flexibility is key here. Recognize that your circumstances are unique, and adjusting your approach can help reduce stress and create a more inclusive learning environment. Constructive feedback makes homework more than just a chore; it turns it into a tool for growth and improvement.

It’s also about living a well-rounded college life. Don’t let homework overshadow other important parts of your life, like extracurricular activities or personal downtime. Emphasize independent learning and use technology wisely to prepare for future challenges. By balancing thoughtful assignments with your personal needs, homework can shift from being a burden to becoming a helpful companion on your educational journey, enriching your academic and personal growth.

Homework has its pros and cons, especially for college students. It can enhance critical thinking, time management, and learning, but it also brings stress, impacts mental health, and can become overwhelming. Finding the right balance is key. 

Focus on quality assignments, maintain flexibility, and make sure your homework complements rather than dominates your life. With a thoughtful approach, homework can support your educational journey, fostering both academic success and personal growth.

How can I manage my time effectively to balance homework and other activities?

Create a schedule that allocates specific times for homework, classes, and personal activities. Use planners or digital calendars to keep track of deadlines and prioritize tasks. Don’t forget to include breaks to avoid burnout.

How can I reduce the stress associated with homework?

To manage stress, practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Break assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one at a time. If needed, seek support from classmates, tutors, or mental health professionals.

Is using AI tools for homework cheating?

While AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful for quick assistance, relying on them too much can hinder your learning process. Use them as a supplement rather than a replacement for your own effort and critical thinking.

How can teachers make homework more equitable?

Teachers can offer flexible deadlines, provide resources for students who lack them, and design assignments that account for different learning styles and home environments. Open communication between students and teachers can also help address individual challenges.

What are some strategies to make homework more meaningful?

Focus on quality over quantity by designing assignments that encourage deep thinking and application of knowledge. Integrate real-world problems to make homework more relevant and engaging. Provide constructive feedback to help students learn and grow from their assignments.

In this article

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone.

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Discipline: what it is and why high school students should build it.

Discipline in High School Students

As a high school student, it is important to develop good discipline habits. Without discipline, it can be difficult to focus on your studies and stay organized.

At High School of America , we believe in helping our students develop good discipline habits early on.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the need for discipline in schools, but what is it exactly? And why is it so important for high school students ?

In this post, we’ll explore what discipline is and discuss some of the benefits that come with it. Stay tuned!

Defining Discipline

Discipline refers to the ability to delay gratification, manage impulses, and engage in goal setting. Developing these skills can be extremely beneficial.

It enables you to have more control over your emotions so that you are better able to focus on what needs to get done.

For example, practicing discipline helps students feel less stressed when they get home from school. Instead of immediately turning on the television or spending hours on social media, they work on their homework and get it done faster!

It also helps students better use their time – whether they are studying for a test, writing a paper, completing a project, or practicing an instrument.

Discipline also refers to following rules and behaving appropriately . When students have good discipline habits, they are less likely to get in trouble at school, and if they do, it won’t happen as often because they’ve learned how to think before acting.

Types of Discipline in School

There are several types of discipline that you might be concerned with as an online high school student. They include;

Self-Discipline 

Self-discipline involves having the strength to work on your projects even if you’re feeling bored or unmotivated. You need to understand that every assignment is important because it’s part of your education, so there’s no point in wasting time when you could be working on something more productive instead!

Self-discipline is a required skill for all students because nobody can motivate themselves in every situation; we all need additional support from time to time, whether it’s a reminder from a parent or teacher or some sort of incentive for completing tasks properly.

External Discipline

External discipline refers to the rules and boundaries that keep everyone safe and make our educational institutions successful.

For example, you might need to follow a dress code if your school has one in place, or you may have to deal with punishments from teachers if you fail to show up for class regularly or repeatedly break the rules.

Again, these types of rules aren’t there to restrict your freedom; rather, they exist for everyone’s benefit, and we all need them to be responsible citizens.

The Importance of Discipline in High School

At the High School of America, we believe that discipline is crucial. Our students are away from their teachers and mentors, which means they need to be self-disciplined to stay on task and meet our high academic standards.

Benefits of Discipline for Students

There are many benefits associated with strong self-discipline. Some of the most significant include:

Better Grades

When students have good discipline habits, they are able to study efficiently after school instead of wasting time. As a result, they usually spend less time studying than other students but get better grades in their online high school courses.

Increased Personal Success

Discipline is good for in-school success and helps students accomplish their personal goals. For example, when students have strong discipline habits, they are more likely to get into the college of their choice because they’ve managed their time efficiently and completed all required tasks.

It’s no exaggeration when people say that discipline leads to a happier life. When you’re making progress towards your goals daily, it’s easier to stay motivated. In addition, developing discipline helps you feel less stressed about school work so you can focus on other aspects of your life as well!

How Teachers Can Build Discipline in High School Students

Teachers play a significant role in helping students develop good discipline habits.

If you are a teacher, here are some ideas for how to inspire discipline in your students:

Set Realistic Expectations

It is essential that teachers set realistic expectations early on so that their students know exactly what is expected of them.

For example, if you expect your students to be able to memorize 30 vocab words per week, but they can only remember seven, this will likely cause frustration on both ends because the teacher won’t recognize the student’s effort and the student won’t feel adequately challenged.

By setting realistic goals upfront, everyone can be more efficient with time and achieve success together.

Stay Organized

One way that teachers can help improve discipline is by organizing homework packets appropriately.

Teachers should assign different tasks on different days rather than wait until the end of the week.

If you spread out assignments throughout the week, students are less likely to procrastinate and more likely to get things done faster because they only have one day to complete each project.

During class time, teachers should be clear about how students should record their work (e.g., in a certain notebook or on loose-leaf paper).

For example, if you assign an essay due Friday but never specify which composition book it needs to go into, it can easily become lost or unorganized over time!

Make It Fun

We all know that motivation is critical when it comes to achieving success.

If you want your students to become more disciplined with their grades and homework, you should make the learning process as enjoyable as possible.

For example, if a student struggles with geometry, don’t just sit them down and start lecturing; take them out for ice cream instead!

Discipline can be learned and developed over time, but it takes patience and dedication. If teachers work together with their students to inspire good habits, we believe that discipline will become much easier to achieve in the future!

What Are Some Ways That Parents Can Help Their Children Build Strong Discipline in School?

Parents should always encourage their children to work hard and do their very best in class. If they don’t set this kind of example for their teens, the teenagers will never develop good discipline skills and will likely give up on schoolwork before they even get out of high school.

Additionally, it’s important that parents monitor their children’s Internet usage and limit the amount of time they spend online each day (so they don’t get distracted by the temptation to procrastinate).

Parents should also make sure that their kids understand how easy it is to copy and paste information from websites; this is a particular concern when students use search engines like Google because simply typing in a few words about an assignment can provide them with all sorts of ideas for writing papers.

What Causes Poor Discipline in High School Students

There are many reasons why students might have difficulty with discipline in online high school . Here are some of the most common reasons why this occurs:

Lack of Motivation

Some students simply lack motivation when it comes to pursuing their education. They feel that finishing homework is a waste of time because they’ll just forget all about it the next day anyway.

They don’t believe in themselves and therefore have trouble being disciplined in class because they don’t see much benefit from studying or doing homework.

Sometimes, students doubt their own abilities. For example, if you’re unable to keep up with your classmates academically, it can be very difficult to get motivated to continue working hard because you assume that you won’t ever be able to achieve the same level of success.

It’s important not to get discouraged when you experience these types of problems especially if your teachers encourage you and help you stay on track!

Lack of Skills

Many students struggle with discipline because they simply lack the necessary skills required to be successful.

If you aren’t familiar with Microsoft Word, for example, it can be very difficult to complete an assignment that requires word processing.

By signing up for computer courses through your online high school, you will become more efficient at performing tasks like this in the future!

Poor Planning

Students who fail to plan ahead often end up struggling with poor discipline.

For example, let’s say that a student is assigned to write a paper about Greek mythology but doesn’t start working on it until the night before it’s due.

He or she stays up late trying to put together an essay without doing proper research, which results in a poorly written paper that doesn’t display any understanding of Greek mythology.

Ultimately, this student ends up failing their assignment because they didn’t plan ahead and consequently didn’t have enough time to write a good paper.

The Importance of Parents and Educators Working Together to Help Build Discipline in Students

Parents should encourage their students to learn good discipline habits from a young age. If a child is frequently disciplined for bad behavior by their parents, they will be more likely to develop self-discipline as they get older.

In the classroom, teachers should spend time motivating and encouraging their students to strive for success. They can do this through activities that promote teamwork or by creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions if they’re confused about anything.

The key thing to remember is that no student learns in isolation; they need support from other people in order to succeed!

The Role of Technology in Discipline

Technology can play an important role in teaching students good discipline skills.

For example, an online high school student will benefit from using technology to communicate with teachers and classmates; this offers excellent opportunities for building self-discipline because it requires students to be respectful of each other at all times (even when they’re arguing about the best way to solve a problem or presenting different points of view).

Furthermore, technology is an excellent tool for motivating students because it offers them access to information whenever they need it.

If you’re struggling with your homework due next week, you’ll always be able to find help online if you use Google properly (just make sure not to copy and paste entire papers off the Internet though!).

You might even be able to find a website where you can ask questions about specific topics and receive answers from certified teachers!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, self-discipline is a vital skill for students who want to achieve success academically. However, it takes time and effort to build good discipline habits, which means that all students will struggle at some point during their high school years.

By working with parents and educators, however, they’ll soon become more efficient problem solvers who are capable of completing their work on time as well as developing excellent communication skills for the workplace!

To learn more about discipline, contact us today!

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My Teen Won’t Do Homework. How Can I Fix This?

Meet Jake, a 15-year-old ninth grader, who rarely, if ever, does his homework. Jake’s teachers report that he is inconsistent. He enjoys learning about topics that interest him but seems unfocused during class and fails to complete necessary schoolwork, both in class and at home. Although his grades are suffering , Jake makes no effort to improve his circumstances. His frustrated parents find that their only recourse is nagging and con­stant supervision.

Sound familiar? When a teen won’t do homework , we call this behavior work inhibition. Here are some common characteris­tics of work inhibited students:

• Disorganization
• Lack of follow-through
• Inability to work indepen­dently; more likely to do work when a teacher or par­ent hovers close by
• Lack of focus
• Avoidance of work
• Lack of passion about school, despite ability and intelligence
• Negative attitude; self-conscious and easily discouraged

How can a parent help when a teen refuses to do school homework? First, try to uncover the root of the problem and then devise solutions based on that reason.

3 Reasons Why Teens Don’t Complete Homework and What to Do:

1. missing skills.

The most common rea­son for lack of motivation is a gap in skills. Unplanned absences or a heavy extracurricular load can contribute to skill gaps, even in otherwise bright teens. If you suspect a skill gap, act quickly to have your teen assessed. Your school guidance counselor can recommend the right resources.

2. Poor habits

Poor work habits can also contribute to work inhibition. Try to focus on a work system rather than the work itself with your teen. Set small goals to­gether and teach your teen to set small goals for him or herself. Try to take frequent notice of your teen’s effort and progress.

3. Lack of confidence

Often, students who are work inhibited fear being wrong and won’t ask questions when they need help. Teach your teen that everyone makes mistakes. Help them see these mistakes as another opportunity for learning.

What Parents Can Do to Promote Self-Sufficiency

1. offer limited help with homework.

Parents can offer limited help with homework.  Try to avoid micromanaging the process. When you micromanage, the mes­sage you send is that your teen will fail if you aren’t involved. When you show confidence in your teen’s ability to complete the task with­out you, your teen’s motivation and self-esteem will increase.

3. Resist lecturing

Ask your teen for ways you can help, but don’t lec­ture. Lectures about poor work habits and constant reminders about the negative consequences of unfinished homework can cre­ate more dependency.

3. Empower your teenager

Chores are a great way to empower teens . Delegating demonstrates your confidence in their ability. Try assigning tasks related to an area of interest. If your teen en­joys trying new foods, delegate the preparation and cooking of dinner one night each week.

4. Focus on strengths

Focus on strengths rath­er than pointing out your teen’s faults. When your teen succeeds, give genuine, specific praise. When you need to discuss expectations or problems use a matter-of-fact tone instead of an emotional tone.

Once you and your teen agree on the underlying problem, then the two of you can develop a plan to help create a self-sufficient student.

Martina McIsaac is executive director of Huntington Learning Centers.