Homework is an opportunity for children to review what they have learned in class, and for families to be involved in their children's education. In the early grades, homework help children to develop good study habits and positive attitudes toward education; in the upper elementary grades and beyond homework supports school achievement. In fact, several studies have shown that students who complete homework regularly score better on standardized tests and earn better grades.
As a parent, you can help your children with their homework assignments by showing them that you care about it. Children need to know that their family members think homework is important. If they know their families care, children have a good reason to complete assignments and to turn them in on time. Some of the things, you can do to show your children that you value education and homework are:
1. Set a Regular Time
Having a regular time to do the homework helps children to complete assignments. The best schedule is one that works for your child and your family. Of course, it also depends on your child's age, grade level, and his/her specific needs. Your child's outside activities, such as sports or dance/ music lessons, may mean that you need a flexible homework schedule. Your child may study after school on some days and after dinner on others. If there isn't enough time to finish homework, your child may need to drop some outside activity. Let her know that homework is a high priority.
You might need to develop a schedule for all the activities your child needs to accomplish during the week. You may find it helpful to write out this schedule and put it in a place where you'll see it often, for example: the refrigerator door.
2. Set a Place
Your child's homework area doesn't have to be fancy. A desk in the bedroom is nice, but for many children, the kitchen table or a corner of the living room works just fine. The area should be well lit and fairly quiet.
Your child may enjoy decorating a special area for homework; you can provide a container to hold pencils and add some favorite artwork taped to the walls to make homework time more pleasant.
3. Provide Basic Supplies
Have available pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper and a dictionary. Other supplies that might be helpful include a stapler, paper clips, maps, a calculator, a pencil sharpener, tape, glue, construction paper, old magazines, scissors, a ruler, index cards, a thesaurus and an almanac. If possible, keep these items together in one place (for example, a shoe box works just fine.) If you can't provide your child with needed supplies, ask his/her teacher if the school could offer you some assistance.
4. Remove Distractions
Turn off the TV and discourage your child from making and receiving social telephone calls during homework time, (however an occasional call to a classmate about an assignment could be allowed.) Some children work well with quiet background music, but loud noise from the CD player, radio or TV is not appropriate. If you live in a small or noisy household, try having all family members take part in a quiet activity during homework time.
5. Set a Good Example
Show your child that the skills he/she is learning are an important part an adult's life. Let him see you reading books, newspapers, news on the internet, writing letters, e-mails and shopping lists; using math to balance your checkbook or to measure for cooking, or for buying new household materials. Share with your child what you do at work, and how you use reading and math skills in your daily activities.
Help your children to use everyday routines to support the skills they are learning in school; for instance, play word and math games; help him to look up information about things/people they are interested in: performers, athletes, animals, cars, sports, space travel, etc. While walking from school, to the store, to the park, etc, ask her questions about what she sees and hears.
6. Be Interested and Interesting
Make time to take your child to the library to check out materials needed for homework (and for enjoyment) and read with your child as often as you can. Talk about school and learning activities in family conversations. Ask your child what was discussed in class during the day.
Participate in school activities, such as parent-teacher conferences, plays, concerts, open houses and celebrations. If your schedule allows it, volunteer to help in your child's classroom or at special events. Getting to know some of your child's classmates and their parents builds a support network for you and your child. It also shows your child that home and school are a team!
· Source: US Department of Education
· For more information visit: http://ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/homework.pdf
