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How parents can help with homework
Teachers give homework for many reasons. They give it to see how well their students understood the lesson; to help them understand all that has been covered in class; to encourage them to learn more about the subject; and more. Homework is not “busy work!”
There are several ways that parents can help their children with their homework. Here are some tips:
• Start the day out right – make sure that your children are red well, well-rested, and happy. They will retain more throughout the day, have a better day, and be better prepared to complete their homework that night.
• Study area – have a comfortable, well-lit, tidy area for your children to study at. Do not let them study in front of the TV.
• Educate yourself – if you continue to learn more (by taking classes, reading books, or even having your children teach you what they have learned, etc.), you will show the importance of education and continuing education. Show them that you care about education.
• Be interested – ask specific questions about your child’s day. Do not simply ask, “How was school?” Ask, “What did you learn today?” Say, “Tell me about the book you are reading.” “Show me how you solved that problem.” Show that you are interested.
• Difficult assignments – it is ok if you can not answer all of your children’s questions. It is OK if you do not remember trigonometry. You can help your children by encouraging them and praising them, hiring a tutor, looking online, or asking the teacher for help.
• Study – even if your child has no homework, encourage him or her to study every night. Set aside a study time.
• Praise – let your children know how well they have done. You do not necessarily need to give money as a reward for good grades. Instead, plan a fun activity or reward them in other ways.
• Follow-up – ask to see homework that has already been graded. Find out how well your child is doing so that you can help when needed.
• TV – again, turn off the TV. Some students can study and learn quite well with background music, but the TV can be distracting. While your child is studying, do not distract him or her by having the TV in the background (and certainly do not allow him or her to sit in front of it). Homework time is a good time for you to do your own “homework” – read, write letters, pay the bills, etc.
• Don’t do your children’s homework for them! You can help them by answering questions, but doing it will not help them in the long run. Help them do it themselves.
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