Homework Tips for Parents
Homework can have many benefits for students. It can improve remembering and
understanding of schoolwork, help students develop study skills, teach them that learning
takes place anywhere and it can foster positive character traits such as independence
and responsibility.
In order to foster a positive homework experience for your child, the following
recommendations are offered:
• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.
Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other
distractions, such as people coming and going.
• Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary,
are available.
Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in
advance.
• Help your child with time management.
Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave
homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or
afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting
together with classmates.
• Be positive about homework.
Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework
will be the attitude your child acquires.
• When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.
Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches
your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.
• When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.
Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a
team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.
• Stay informed.
Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and
what your child's class rules are.
• Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.
Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when
facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue
begins to set in.
• Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration.
Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an
assignment.
• Reward progress in homework.
If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard,
celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to
reinforce the positive effort.
Homework can have many benefits for students. It can improve remembering and
understanding of schoolwork, help students develop study skills, teach them that learning
takes place anywhere and it can foster positive character traits such as independence
and responsibility.
In order to foster a positive homework experience for your child, the following
recommendations are offered:
• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.
Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other
distractions, such as people coming and going.
• Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary,
are available.
Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in
advance.
• Help your child with time management.
Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave
homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or
afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting
together with classmates.
• Be positive about homework.
Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework
will be the attitude your child acquires.
• When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.
Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches
your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.
• When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.
Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a
team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.
• Stay informed.
Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and
what your child's class rules are.
• Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.
Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when
facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue
begins to set in.
• Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration.
Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an
assignment.
• Reward progress in homework.
If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard,
celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to
reinforce the positive effort.