Homework can be a headache (头疼的事) for not only kids and teenagers but also for their parents. The following are some tips to make homework time more effective (有效的).

◆ No TV. Kids should not watch TV while doing homework.

◆ The radio is OK. Some studies have shown that having the radio on teenagers’ favorite music station can help kids learn better.

◆ Make fixed (固定的) hours. There should be a fixed timetable (时间表) for homework. In this way, the kids can plan their time and make sure they get their homework done every day.

◆ Make telephone rules. Don’t let the kids use the telephone when they are doing their homework. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to use the telephone. For example, they call the classmates up to make sure about homework and answer other questions about homework.

◆ Find out a good study place. First, find out a right place for your children to do their homework, usually in their rooms. And then make it convenient (方便的) for studying. Prepare enough studying tools (用具), such as pencils, pens, paper and books.

Two centuries ago, schools were held in small houses. Some areas had no schools at all.

The one-room schoolhouse was the most. Classrooms were made up of students of different ages, and teachers had to teach all of these students at the same time. For the most part, the curriculum（课程）was made up of reading, writing and life skills. Depending on the farming plans, some schools only lasted a few months in order for students to be able to do some farm work. Many students didn’t go to school every school day—children in very poor areas didn’t attend school. It was common for students to show up for class only one day a week, and even that day would not be the same in different weeks.

As populations grew, so did schools. The development of industry introduced technology and new jobs. People needed to learn about these things in order to keep up. New schools were set up to better accommodate（顺应）the changing world. Larger classrooms, more teachers and changes in the curriculum were needed. Population growth also introduced more students to schools. This made it necessary for classrooms to be separated by age and ability level. This meant teachers were able to focus on the areas and ages they taught. Population growth resulted in the growth of schools and major changes in how students were educated.

Teenagers from America used to look forward to growing up. Getting the first driver’s licenses or doing the first part-time jobs was an exciting event in teenagers’ lives.

But these days, fewer teenagers from America are celebrating these events. A study from a magazine Child Development(发展) shows that in America, fewer teenagers do “adult” activities like driving and working.

Perhaps too much homework is the reason. But that’s not the truth. “Teenagers usually spend less time on homework now,” The Atlantic reported.

A child development expert Jean Twenge says technology(技术) may be the reason. In her research, she says that today’s teenagers are different from past generations(几代人) because they are the first generation to grow up with modern technology products(产品).

More time spent playing with these technology products means less time spent on other things. This may explain why many teenagers show no interest in “adult” activities these days.

It is hard to say growing up more slowly is good or bad. However, teenagers need to have more time for social and emotional(情感的) development, which is good for achieving success later in their lives.