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January 27, 2009
Dear Parents/Guardians:
In our efforts to assist you as part of our “school to home connection team,”
please read the following article that offers relevant suggestions on the following:
“7 Ways to Establish Good Homework Habits” By Karin A. Bilich
We must try to get the most out of your child's homework assignments.
Homework not only helps a child learn about school subjects, it is also one of the
first ways kids develop responsibility. Learning how to read and follow directions
independently, how to manage and budget time for long-term assignments, and
how to complete work neatly and to the best of their ability are skills children
need for life. Homework can be trying for children, but with a little help from Mom
and Dad, it can be a positive learning experience. Here are some ways you can
help.
1. Designate a regular place to do homework. This location needs to be well lit
and quiet, without the distractions of the television, other children playing, or people
talking on the telephone.
2. Choose a time every day to work on daily assignments. Some children do
best if they tackle their homework shortly after returning home from school in the
afternoon; other kids may do best if they devote the after-school hours to unwinding
and playing, and do their homework in the evening. However, some children respond
poorly to a dictated study time, such as 4:00 every afternoon, and may be better off
if they're given guidelines, such as "No video games until your homework is done."
3. Let your child play a role in the setting the rules. Make sure that you and
your child agree on the set time and place, which can eliminate some of the
homework-related dissension between parents and children.
4. Observe your child's homework habits. Is she stuck on a certain task or is she
easily distracted? Does she understand the directions, or is she making the
assignment harder than it really is? Is her studying interrupted by television, phone
calls, or chatting with other family members? If so, you may need to rethink your
homework rules or discuss these difficulties with her teacher.
5. Don't do your child's homework. It's perfectly okay to help your child get
focused and organize the approach to the assignment. Be sure to insist that the
work be done independently. Occasionally, you may need to clarify the directions of
the assignment; in those cases, let your child take a stab independently before
offering to help.
6. Give positive feedback. Look over your child's homework on occasion and offer
praise about all the things that are being done right. If you do find errors, don't
criticize. Instead, review this work together and try to pinpoint the area of difficulty.
7. Keep in touch with your child's teacher. If your child is having ongoing
homework problems, such as difficulty understanding what the assignments are or
how to complete them, or if your child breezes through them as though they were no
challenge at all, let the teacher know. The teacher may adjust the assignments so
they are more in sync with your child’s capabilities.
Sources: American Medical Association; Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5-12 (Bantam 1999). The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a
substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat
any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a
doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.