Before discussing ways to help your child with homework, it
is important to discuss why teachers assign homework and how
it benefits your child.
Teachers assign homework for many reasons. Homework can help
children: review and practice what they've learned; get ready
for the next day's class; learn to use resources, such as
libraries, reference materials, and encyclopedias; and
explore subjects more fully than time permits in the
classroom.
Homework can also help children develop good habits and
attitudes. It can: teach children to work independently;
encourage self-discipline and responsibility (assignments
provide some youngsters with their first chance to manage
time and meet deadlines); and encourage a love of
learning.
Homework is meant to be a positive experience and to
encourage children to learn.
How Homework Helps Children Learn
Homework helps your child do better in school when
assignments are meaningful, are completed successfully, and
are returned with constructive comments from the teacher. An
assignment should have a specific purpose, come with clear
instructions, be fairly well-matched to a student's
abilities, and designed to help develop a student's knowledge
and skills.
Studies have shown that students who complete more homework
score better on standardized tests and earn better grades, on
the average, than students who do less homework. Talk with
your child's teacher if you have any questions about your
child's homework assignments.
How to Help: Encourage Doing Homework
Children need to know that their parents think homework is
important. If they know their parents care, children have a
good reason to complete assignments and turn them in on time.
There is a lot that you can do to show that you value
education and homework.
Set a regular time. Finding a regular time for
homework helps children finish assignments. The best schedule
is one that works for your child and your family. What works
well in one household may not work in another. Of course, a
good schedule depends in part on your child's age, as well as
individual needs. For instance, one youngster may work best
in the afternoon after an hour of play, and another may be
more efficient after dinner (late at night, when children are
tired, is seldom a good time).
Extracurricular activities such as music or art lessons, may
mean that your child needs to adapt a flexible schedule.
Your child may study right after school on some days and in
the evenings on others. If there isn't enough time to finish
homework, your child may need to drop some outside activity.
Homework must be a high priority.
Pick a place. A study area should have lots of light,
supplies close by, and be fairly quiet. It doesn't have to be
fancy. A desk in a bedroom is nice, but for many youngsters
the kitchen table or a corner of the living room works just
fine.
You child may enjoy decorating a special study corner. A
plant, a brightly colored container to hold pencils, and some
favorite artwork taped to the walls can make study time more
pleasant.
Remove distractions. Try having all family members
take part in a quiet activity during homework time. In my
house, I try to encourage the girls to do their homework at
the same time. An added benefit is that sometimes the older
ones help the younger ones.
You may need to take a noisy toddler outside or into another
room to play. Try to keep the children who aren't doing
homework from playing on the computer or listening to a story
on the tape recorder, as these activities will distract the
homework doers from completing their assignments.
Provide supplies. Keep the following items together in
one place or in a basket to help with homework assignments:
pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, glue, a stapler, paper
clips, maps, a calculator, a pencil sharpener, tape,
scissors, a ruler, index cards, a dictionary and a
thesaurus.
Show an interest. Talk about school and learning
activities in family conversations. Ask your child to read
aloud a story she wrote or discuss the results of a recent
exam. Be on hand while your children are doing their homework
in case they have any questions.
Checklist for Helping Your Child With Homework:
1. Does your child have the papers, books, pencils, and other
supplies needed to do assignments?
2. Does your child have a fairly quiet place to study with enough light?
3. Do you stay in touch with your child's teachers?
4. Do you read the teacher's comments on assignments that are returned?
5. Do you encourage your child to develop good study habits (e.g.
scheduling enough time for big assignments; making up
practice tests)?
(Adapted from an article by the U.S. Department of
Education)
