Checklist for Helping Your Child(ren) With Homework
- Show that you think Education and Homework are Important.
- Do you set a regular time every day for homework?
- Does your child(ren) have the papers, books, pencils, and other things needed to do assignments?
- Does your child(ren) have a fairly quiet place to study with lots of light?
- Do you set a good example by reading and writing yourself?
- Do you stay in touch with your child(ren)'s teachers?
- Monitor Assignments.
- Do you know what your child(ren)'s homework assignments are, how long they should take, and how the teacher wants you to be involved?
- Do you see that assignments are started and completed?
- Do you read the teacher's comments on assignments that are returned?
- Is TV viewing cutting into your child(ren)'s homework time?
- Provide Guidance.
- Do you understand and respect your child(ren)'s style of learning?
- Do they work better alone or with someone else?
- Do they learn best when they can see things, hear them, or handle them?
- Do you help your child(ren) get organized?
- Do they need a calendar, a bag for books, and/or extra folders for papers?
- Do you encourage your child(ren) to develop good study habits (e.g., scheduling enough time for big assignments; making up practice tests)?
- Do you talk with your child about homework assignments? Does he/she understand them?
- Talk with Someone at School when Problems Come Up.
- Do you meet the teacher early in the year before any problems arise?
- If a problem comes up, do you meet with the teacher?
- Do you cooperate with the teacher and your child(ren) to work out a plan and/or schedule to fix homework problems?
- Do you follow up with the teacher and with your child(ren) to make sure the plan is working?