PARENTS RESOURCES

Ask an Expert

Raising a child is a challenging and rewarding task. This page is designed to help answer general questions from parents about issues relating to child development and educational concerns.

Here's how it works:
You submit a question to the Academy's expert faculty. Your question and the answer will be posted on this page as a resource for other parents.

My second grader is taking a very long time to complete his homework. How long should homework take?
The purpose of homework is to establish independent work habits, to practice skills, and to monitor the need for additional practice or help. Homework is very important and it should take place at a regular time and in a regular place without interruptions. Television, radio and telephone use should be discouraged because they are very distracting. The length of time it takes a child to complete assignments varies greatly. At the Academy, homework assignments can generally be completed in approximately 15 minutes in Kindergarten, 30 minutes in grade 1, 40 minutes in grade 2 and one hour in grades 3 and 4. Source: Staten Island Academy Parent & Student Handbook, 2003-2004.