Homework Hints

Several friends have asked me why I no longer write the newsletter "Child's Play" that I put out from 1995-1999. (for those of you who don't know about Child's Play, it was a parent newsletter I created for parents of children ages birth-age 7.). I had to stop writing it because I went to work in ministry, part time, for 5 years and then after a year of being home full time again, I went back to the special ed classroom. Plus, I aquired lyme disease in 2001 and battled that for 3 years, and then, we had a church transition, and my own children got past the early childhood stage! My life took a different turn with various ministries, a different job, getting adjusted to a new church and having a preteen in the house. Now....I have a teen and my baby is a preteen! I still don't really have time to write a monthly newsletter and I believe the Lord has called me to different pursuits.
But....from time to time, I will feature some "Child's Play" articles here (updated of course!) for those of you who are interested.

This first one is based on homework help.
Most children in public or private schools have homework. Lots of it. At least that is our experience here in NYS. Our district doesn't give out homework on the weekends for elementary children but Mon.- Thrs. both girls have quite a bit, depending on the course.
Here's some tips I have learned over the years, both as a teacher and as a mom:

• Purchase planners for each child for HW assignments (our district gives these out)

• Plan a regular time each day for HW. In our house we do HW right after a snack and "talk with mom" time. I am fortunate to work part time so have always been home to establish this routine. If you work full time, simply plan this for right after dinner.
  

• Keep auditory distractions off! (no tv, cd's, computers, etc.) When my oldest turned 13, she discovered she works best with quiet music playing at times. My youngest needs it to be very silent. This is a good time for moms or dads to do their own "quiet time" or pay bills, read, etc.

• Have a regular place for each child to complete their assignments. Provide pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, crayons, scissors, etc. for special projects. At our house, each daughter has a desk in her bedroom that is basically reserved for homework. If you can't have a desk in your child's bedroom, use your dining room or kitchen table provided there are no nearby distractions.
  

• Encourage your child to show you completed assignments and check their planner to make sure she has done everything needed for the next day. Mark on your own calendar (and your child's) the dates that long-term projects or essays are due. At my house, I do not correct my daughters' HW. That is their teachers' job. However, I do look it over (or in the case of my teenager, I ask her if all is done and double check her folder from time to time). For example: if my 4th grader shows me her math paper and I see several mistakes, I will tell her to go over it again and double check her work. I do not correct any HW.
  

• Take a break, if needed. When my oldest started junior high school (7th grade) she had about 2-3 hours of HW a nite. She was taking advanced math and English courses so that tended to be why there was so much. It is still the same now in 10th grade although she doesn't have every subject every evening. I would tell her to complete at least 3 subjects and then take a break to ride bikes, call friends, play a computer game, eat dinner, etc. Then she would complete the other 3 subjects. She is now able to be completely independent for homework time and time management. These are skills that most children need to be taught at home as well as from their teachers.

• Rank the HW assignments! I have taught my youngest to do her hardest subjects first or the ones with the most work (usually math or social studies) and save reviewing spelling words for last. My oldest is the opposite: she likes to do the easiest things first (Math, French, Earth Science) and save the harder things for last (Global History, English). She "rewards" her self by completing her Drawing assignments as a break (she is totally into her Art so thinks of these assignments as "fun"). Help your child decide which method she likes, and encourage her to stick with that plan. Save studying for a test for later in the day/evening after she has had a much-earned break.

• Encourage your child to pack her own backpack! My children don't have a choice. This is part of their evening "chores". By packing their own stuff, they learn to be responsible and they are less likely forget their things. By packing everything up in the evenings, it makes it less hectic in the a.m. at bus time! Sign any forms or notes from teachers as soon as you receive them so you don't forget about them! At our house, each daughter has a bulletin board by the garage door (the one we use on a regular basis) and I attach forms, permission slips, book orders there for them to grab and place in their folders.

• Contact your child's teacher if she is continually saying she doesn't understand something or if the HW load seems excessive. We had to do this once when my oldest was in the LEP program in 5th grade. (Learning Enrichment Program for gifted students). The teacher was new and didn't know that LEP is not supposed to have homework over the weekend. (it was supposed to be a higher level, supplemental program for kids who excelled in English and Math). The poor teacher had not been told that she didn't have to assign so many projects. It only took a phone call to straighten this out!

• Pray. Pray that your child will have a successful school year and will grow in all areas: academically/cognitively, socially, spiritually, physically. There is nothing like prayer to help your child succeed.

Those are just some hints I employ with my own children.
Do you have any you'd like to share?
What are some things you do at your house to help your child succeed with completing HW?