Teachers need to have parents on their side, not for teacher’s benefit, but for child’s. When a parent gets involved and stays involved on a routine basis, this catapults child to another level. A parent who reads to a child, models life-long learning, participate in school events and monitors homework time is doing his or her job of setting up child for success. The Five Essential Elements of Helping Your Child with Homework are: knowing homework basics and whys; knowing how to set up a proper environment; knowing how to monitor a child’s work; knowing how to provide appropriate guidance; and knowing how to communicate with your child’s teacher.

Essential Element # 1 - Homework Basics

Getting to know basics of homework, ins and outs of process, is critical. Think of it as a perfect platform for a parent to be involved, in a very meaningful way, in a child’s education. Think of it as one of greatest challenges that a parent can ever face. Finally, think of it as an everyday routine that needs to be a primary function of family life.

Think about reasons for homework to begin with. This is ammunition for a parent when responding to typical child question, "Why do I have to do homework?" Homework helps child do following things: reviews previous learning; provides opportunity to practice; readies child for next lesson; expands reference skills using library and internet; supplements and extends learning; provides opportunities for exploring subjects in more depth; helps child become an independent worker; and allows for exploring individual interests. Keeping these lofty goals in mind will help a parent when child starts to balk from time to time. Patience and perseverance is mental state that parents must adopt. Staying in a positive mode, along what might prove to be a bumpy road, is preferred approach.

Essential Element # 2 - A Proper Homework Environment

If a child believes that a parent cares and that there is a good reason to complete assignments, child will value education and routine of homework. A child needs to see that homework is as essential to education as training is to an athlete.

There are several considerations, which provide a great deal of flexibility, when setting up a good homework environment for a child. A parent should work with a child to make some of these decisions together. Research shows that following areas need to be addressed: schedule a priority time, which may need to flex if there are dance lessons, sports teams, etc.; choose a specific place that is comfortable and works for family; minimize distractors, such as TV; organize school supplies and materials; be a good role model by reading, playing educational games, and other appropriate activities; and show interest in what child is working on.

Essential Element # 3 - Monitoring Homework Routine

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