Making the Most Out of Homework

          As a parent, it’s important for you to be involved in your child’s education, and one way to do that is to help your child with homework. What’s the best way to help your child with her homework? You can encourage good study habits and model a positive attitude toward learning and problem solving for your child, even if you’re not a whiz at history or science.

          • Plan ahead and set a schedule. Help your child choose a regular time for doing homework every night. Plan according to the family’s schedule, and make sure your child has a good study spot, free from distractions like TV or games, and make sure they have plenty of light to see.

          • Get involved. Keep a tally of what projects your child or children are working on in class; schedule work time for reports and projects well in advance of the due date. Develop a calendar or family bulletin board to keep track of big projects and day-to-day work.

         • Lend a hand. Help your child study for a test by quizzing him on the subject. If he is having trouble with a homework problem, go over the material with him and help him brainstorm ways to solve it. For larger projects, help him break the assignment down into manageable pieces or “chunks.” If she’s still having trouble, take her to library or contact her teacher for more information. Make sure, however, that you’re not doing the homework for your child.

         • Know your child’s learning style. Not all children learn the same way. For example, some learn more through reading and using language, while others learn more from looking at pictures. Some children have a mix of learning styles, so let teachers know what your child’s style is.

Sources:  Teens Health (www.kidshealth.org),

           Dealing with Test Anxiety (www.studygs.net).