Checklist for Helping Your Child With Homework

1. Show That You Think Education and Homework Are Important

___ Do you set a regular time every day for homework?
___ Does your child have the papers, books, pencils and other things needed to do assignments?
___ Does your child have a well-lit, fairly quiet place to study?
___ Do you set a good example by showing your child that the skills he is learning are an important part of the things he will do as an adult?
___ Do you stay in touch with your child’s teacher?

2. Monitor Assignments

___ Do you know what your child’s homework assignments are? How long they should take? How the teacher wants you to be involved in them?
___ Do you see that your child starts and completes assignments?
___ Do you read the teacher’s comments on assignments that are returned?
___ Is TV viewing or video game playing cutting into your child’s homework time?

3. Provide Guidance

___ Do you help your child to get organized? Does your child need a schedule or assignment book? A book bag or backpack and a folder for papers?
___ Do you encourage your child to develop good study habits (for example, scheduling enough time for big assignments; making up practice tests)?
___ Do you talk with your child about homework assignments? Does she understand them?

4. Talk with Teachers to Resolve Problems

___ Do you meet with the teacher early in the year before any problems arise?
___ If a problem comes up, do you meet with the teacher?
___ Do you cooperate with the teacher to work out a plan and a schedule to solve homework problems?
___ Do you follow up with the teacher and with your child to make sure the plan is working?

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