Too much homework
Kids do need time to be kids, so if you think your child has too much homework, contact his classroom teacher. Ask if she gives out homework every night and how much time she expects students to spend on the homework. Try to evaluate how the teacher's goals fit yours for your child at a particular age. Perhaps your child spends more time than average on the homework assignments because he's struggling to understand the concepts and requires extra time and attention in class.
A teacher will sometimes misjudge her students and assign too much homework to a class. If you feel this is the case, express your concern. Let her know that your child finds the amount of work stressful and ask that it be reduced. Monitor the situation and, if there's no change, speak to the principal.
Not enough homework
Not enough homework or no homework is just as common a complaint from parents. If your child tells you frequently, "I don't have any homework" or "I already did it in school," double-check with his teacher. You're probably getting the straight goods. Some children are able to complete all their assignments in class; others choose to stay in at recess or use some of their lunch hour to do the assignments.
If you discover that your child isn't bringing her homework home, ask her teacher whether your daughter needs to record her assignments in a homework book that she brings home with her. A teacher usually writes assignments on the chalkboard for students to copy into their homework books. In the primary grades, teachers usually check planners or homework books to make sure students have copied all the information they need. By grade four, nine-year-olds are given much less assistance to list homework assignments, upcoming tests, projects, and unfinished work in a planner. By grade six, or ages eleven and twelve, the student should be solely responsible for the planner contents. The teacher might spot-check the books from time to time and initial them to verify that the work has been completed.
