As soon as the school year gets going, homework starts landing on the kitchen table — and so does the nightly negotiation over when it’s going to get done. We asked our parent community for their best tips on how to make homework shorter and keep you and your child happy, and the answers below are the ones that came up again and again.
None of these ideas require anything fancy. Most are about routine, a bit of preparation, and knowing when to step back. Here’s what worked for other parents.
#1. Have a Dedicated Homework Space
This is the top tip from parents, by a distance. When your child gets home from school, they should be able to go straight to their workstation and start without hunting for paper, pens, a ruler, or anything else they need. A consistent spot — even a corner of the kitchen table that’s always set up the same way — cuts out a huge amount of the delay before homework even begins.
#2. Use Technology Thoughtfully
Used well, educational apps and digital tools can make homework feel less like a chore and more like something your child actually wants to engage with — bringing subjects to life instead of leaving them stuck on a worksheet. The key word is “well”: choose quality digital content with real academic relevance, rather than screen time for its own sake, and technology becomes a genuine study aid instead of a distraction.
Interactive and visual learning tools let children engage with a subject by seeing, hearing and doing, rather than just reading and repeating. For many children, that kind of hands-on approach helps information stick — and can make homework sessions feel shorter simply because your child is more absorbed in what they’re doing.
#3. Have a Homework Routine
Every day looks a little different once after-school activities are factored in, but having a general homework routine in place is one of the best ways to shorten the time it actually takes. It removes the daily argument over when homework is going to happen, and like any routine, it becomes second nature once it’s bedded in.
Agree the routine with your child at the start of the year, based on their age and what suits your evenings. For some families that means coming home and getting straight into it; for others, it’s a snack and some downtime first, then homework. There’s no single right answer — decide what works for your household and stick with it.
#4. Have a Homework Box
Put together a homework box with spare copies, pens, pencils, craft glue and anything else that regularly gets used. It puts an end to the “I don’t have a pencil” delay tactic, and replacing items as they run out during the year means nobody’s searching the house for a ruler at 6pm on a school night.
#5. Avail of Study Time at School
Once your child moves into secondary school, many schools offer supervised study after school hours. It’s a great way to get homework done and dusted before they even walk in the door. With fewer distractions and a teacher or supervisor on hand if they get stuck, homework can be finished faster than it would be at home.
#6. Take Away Distractions
If a dedicated homework space isn’t possible, at least keep distractions to a minimum wherever homework happens. That means no phone, no radio, no TV in the background. It also helps to keep younger siblings occupied with their own activities or homework at the same time, so your child can concentrate on the job in hand without interruptions.
#7. Hold Back
It’s tempting to jump in and solve the problem the moment you see your child struggling. Try to hold back and only step in when they actually ask for help.
It’s a useful lesson for them to get something wrong sometimes — it also shows their teacher exactly where the gaps are, so they can focus teaching time on the areas that need it. Working through a problem themselves, even slowly, tends to help the knowledge stick better than simply being handed the answer.
If your child is struggling consistently with a particular subject, it’s worth arranging a meeting with their teacher or year head to work through it together.
#8. Set a Time Limit
If homework is eating into all of your child’s free evening time, consider setting a time limit. Check with their teacher or year head first to find out what they consider a reasonable amount of time for homework at your child’s age and stage, and work from there.
Sometimes children spend disproportionate time on one tricky area, and a time limit helps them focus. It’s also good practice for exam conditions later on, where time pressure is part of the deal. If you’ve spoken to the teacher in advance, it’s less of an issue on the days your child doesn’t quite finish everything.
Over to you now — have you any tips of your own for making homework shorter? Share them with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make homework take less time without cutting corners?
Focus on removing friction rather than rushing the work itself. A dedicated space, a stocked homework box, and a consistent routine all cut out the delays before homework even starts, which usually saves more time than trying to speed up the actual work.
Should I help my child with homework if they’re stuck?
It’s best to hold back until they ask. Letting them work through a problem — even getting it wrong — helps their teacher see where extra support is needed, and the learning tends to stick better than if you simply give the answer.
Is it okay to set a time limit on homework?
Yes, many parents find this useful, but check with your child’s teacher or year head first so the limit matches what’s realistic for their age and workload.
What if my child has no quiet space to do homework at home?
Keep distractions to a minimum wherever they do sit down — phones, TV and radio off, and younger siblings occupied elsewhere. Secondary school supervised study can also be a good option if it’s available.
Related Articles
- Setting Up a Homework Station That Actually Gets Used
- Back to School Routines That Make Mornings Easier
- How to Help Your Child Build Good Study Habits
Save This for Later
Not ready to overhaul your homework routine tonight? Save this article and come back to it when you’re ready to try a new tip — or share it with another parent who could use a calmer homework hour.
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