This article answers common questions that parents, family members, and caregivers often ask about homework. The booklet also includes practical ideas for helping children to complete homework assignments successfully. See the complete guide for more ideas!
These tips were originally published in the U.S. Department of Education's guide, 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?
Add new comment