It is your child's responsibility to complete homework assignments and remember to bring them to school. Read over these suggestions for helping your child meet homework responsibilities.
- Make homework a priority. Homework not only reinforces what is being taught but teaches your child the importance of being responsible.
- Help your child be better organized by designating a place where all materials that are to be taken to school are placed(bookbag, lunch box,etc.). I call it "A Drop Spot"
- Allow your child to have some free time before sitting down to do homework. After a day at school, most students need an opportunity to expend energy.
- Homework is intended as independent work for students. Encourage your child to complete the assignment independently.
- Students benefit from setting a scheduled time for getting homework done. On an average student homework should be 10 minutes times the grade they are in. (ex. 10 x 3 (grade 3) = 30 minutes). Some students because of the rate they work at may take a little longer to do homework. Be consistent in keeping the scheduled time. If a child is scheduled for thirty minutes and is finished in ten minutes, your child should use the rest of the time to review math facts, read, write or study notes.
- Don't volunteer to help your child with homework. "Be a guide on the side". Wait to be asked for help. If your child needs help, go over the directions and perhaps do an example together. Encourage your child to work independently. If your child has considerable difficulty with the assignment, jot a note to the teacher on the homework assignment.
- Give your child a verbal pat on the back. Be specific about what they have accomplished. Ex: I knew you could work this problem out all by yourself.
- When your child forgets to bring homework to school, do not deliver it to the school. It is important for children to experience the consequences of their actions. (If a DROP SPOT is established this should alleviate this problem)