Help for Homework Helpers

So, the children are back in school. School means fun, friends, and all day learning for children. However, it also means homework. These days it seems younger and younger children are coming home with more and more homework! What is a parent to do? How much should we help or not help? We know children must learn and discover for themselves. But what if they are struggling with an assignment or unsure of their skills and abilities? Parents need a guidebook for homework help! The good educators at Reading is Fundamental provides parents with great tips for parents on how to help with homework. Read on and see their website for the full article. 

How should I help my child with homework?

• Talk with your child's teacher about homework policies. Make sure you know the purpose of the homework assignments, how long they should take, and how the teacher wants you to be involved in helping your child complete them.
• Agree with your child on a set time to do homework every day.
• Make sure that your child has a consistent, well-lit, fairly quiet place to study and do homework. Encourage your child to study at a desk or table rather than on the floor or in an easy chair. Discourage distractions such as television or calls from friends.
• Make sure the materials needed to do assignments—papers, books, pencils, a dictionary, encyclopedia, computer—are available. Show your child how to use reference books or computer programs and appropriate websites. Ask your child to let you know if special materials are needed and have them ready in advance.
• Talk with your child about assignments to see that they are understood.
• When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Doing assignments for your children won't help them understand and use information or help them become confident in their own abilities.
• If you are unable to help your child with a subject, ask for help from a relative. Also see if the school, library, or a community or religious organization can provide tutoring or homework help.
  
• Check to see that your child has done all the work assigned. Sign the homework if your child's school requires this.
• Watch for signs of frustration or failure. Let your children take a short break if they are having trouble keeping their mind on an assignment.
• Reward progress. If your child has been successful in completing an assignment and is working hard, celebrate with a special event—reading a favorite story or playing a game together—to reinforce the positive effort.
• Read the teacher's comments on assignments that are returned. If a problem comes up, arrange to meet with the teacher and work out a plan and a schedule to solve it.

The Protective Factors Framework tells us that parents with resilience are better able to manage stressful life events, yes, even stress of homework!

Parental Resilience. Resilience is the ability to handle everyday stressors and recover from occasional crises. Parents who are emotionally resilient have a positive attitude, creatively problem solve, effectively address challenges, and are less likely to direct anger and frustration at their children.