The

answer: It depends!

Children are unique, and so are the ways they work best. Some are most productive at night. Others are “morning” or “afternoon” people.

Have your child experiment with different homework times, and with the following factors:

• Lighting. Pay attention to how your child usually does homework. Under a bright light? By a window? Next to a soft lamp? Ask which he likes most.

• Noise. Some children need complete silence to concentrate. Others like to listen to soft music or have people nearby while studying.

• Setting. If your child enjoys working at a desk or table, make one available to her. Or she may prefer spreading her books out on a floor or on the bed.

• Temperature. Being too hot or too cold can be distracting. Help your child find a comfortable spot to study, such as near an open window or close to a warm kitchen.

The key is to let your child find what works best for him. When adolescents have a say in how they study, they are more likely to do it on their own.

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