This is the last in a series of blog posts about homework based on a
question I received. Today's topic: helping at home.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting
homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my
child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework
habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in
school. Here is the next in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Be available to help clarify directions, check answers, suggest
problems which need to be reworked, and encourage neatness and good work
habits. Avoid giving your child too much help, or providing the
answers to difficult problems. Your child’s teacher will want to know
if your child is struggling with a concept, and providing too much help
may give the teacher the impression that your child has mastered a
concept when he really hasn’t.
Nothing is more upsetting
to a child, or more frustrating to a parent than to have successfully
completed homework assignments not arrive at school the next day. To
help prevent this, encourage your child to carefully pack his backpack
at the end of the homework session and double-check that all assignments
and materials are included. Find a spot to put backpacks near the
front door, or coat closet so they will be easily spotted on the way to
school in the morning.
Setting up simple routines such as these
early in the school year will get your child off to a successful start,
and homework time will become the good learning experience it is
intended to be.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Tip # 2: Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
Tip # 3: Homework Q&A: Finding a Homework Spot
Tip # 4: Working with the Teacher
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual
property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of
the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior
written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright
law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
