Help your kids with homework
Labels: Homework and Tutoring
How to help your kids with homework, while still fostering responsible independence in their children.
Now that the kids are back in school, parents face that nightly challenge: homework. How do you fit homework into the busy schedules of you and your child? How much do you need to get involved with the homework process? Here are some tips for making the most of homework for your child.
· Understand the purpose of homework. In the elementary grades, homework is used primarily to teach responsibility and good study habits. In middle school, homework is used as practice to master the basics before moving on. During High School, homework strengthens class work skills and understanding.
· Expect homework to be done. This means scheduling specific homework times that are firm, yet flexible. Meeting homework deadlines builds self-discipline, responsibility and independence.
· Let your child know that you will help - but you will not be his first resource. Don't give an answer to a problem unless you are certain the child has spent some time trying to figure it out on his own. If possible, steer him in the correct direction, rather than simply giving an answer.
· Begin a system of homework record keeping. Teach your child to keep homework assignments recorded in BOTH an assignment book and a home calendar. This should help prevent those last minute dashes to the store to buy supplies for a special project assigned weeks before.
· Don't let homework get pushed out. Kids today are often involved in a number of different activities - sports, music, dance - which take time every day. If homework is not getting done consistently, consider cutting back on some other activities to make room for homework. Be certain your kids understand that you consider homework to be of equal importance with all the other demands on their time.
· Be aware of how much homework is reasonable. The National PTA and the National Education Association have recommended no more than the following amounts of homework: 20 minutes for kindergarten to third grade and 20-40 minutes for fourth to sixth grade. If your child is spending far more or far less time on homework, schedule a parent-teacher conference to discuss homework loads.
· Create a homework setting that is fairly free of distractions. Some kids work well with music playing; others do not. Discourage TV watching during homework time, it definitely does not produce quality work.
· If a specific subject seems to be a chronic problem, considering getting a tutor. Hiring a tutor is not an admission that you have failed your child, or that he is not bright. Some children simply need a different approach to a subject or have missed a step somewhere along the way.
Now that the kids are back in school, parents face that nightly challenge: homework. How do you fit homework into the busy schedules of you and your child? How much do you need to get involved with the homework process? Here are some tips for making the most of homework for your child.
· Understand the purpose of homework. In the elementary grades, homework is used primarily to teach responsibility and good study habits. In middle school, homework is used as practice to master the basics before moving on. During High School, homework strengthens class work skills and understanding.
· Expect homework to be done. This means scheduling specific homework times that are firm, yet flexible. Meeting homework deadlines builds self-discipline, responsibility and independence.
· Let your child know that you will help - but you will not be his first resource. Don't give an answer to a problem unless you are certain the child has spent some time trying to figure it out on his own. If possible, steer him in the correct direction, rather than simply giving an answer.
· Begin a system of homework record keeping. Teach your child to keep homework assignments recorded in BOTH an assignment book and a home calendar. This should help prevent those last minute dashes to the store to buy supplies for a special project assigned weeks before.
· Don't let homework get pushed out. Kids today are often involved in a number of different activities - sports, music, dance - which take time every day. If homework is not getting done consistently, consider cutting back on some other activities to make room for homework. Be certain your kids understand that you consider homework to be of equal importance with all the other demands on their time.
· Be aware of how much homework is reasonable. The National PTA and the National Education Association have recommended no more than the following amounts of homework: 20 minutes for kindergarten to third grade and 20-40 minutes for fourth to sixth grade. If your child is spending far more or far less time on homework, schedule a parent-teacher conference to discuss homework loads.
· Create a homework setting that is fairly free of distractions. Some kids work well with music playing; others do not. Discourage TV watching during homework time, it definitely does not produce quality work.
· If a specific subject seems to be a chronic problem, considering getting a tutor. Hiring a tutor is not an admission that you have failed your child, or that he is not bright. Some children simply need a different approach to a subject or have missed a step somewhere along the way.