The school year is in full swing, and this includes homework, assignments and projects!
Generally, homework, assignments and projects, are used to reinforce what was taught during the classroom hours. Assignments are not meant to be torture but there are always days that students and parents will dread them. These tips may help get you through some of the daily obstacles:
Give them space: Set an appropriate place for children to tackle their daily assignments. Offer them a well lit, quiet spot and remain within a reasonable distance, so if help is needed, you are within reach. Here are a few suggestions from Parenting.com on creating a great spot for homework.
Stay available: Be on hand when your child is ready to tackle a troubling assignment. The attitude of “I am available and we can do this together” may help children feel supported.
Lend an ear: Acknowledge when there is difficulty. Let your child gripe. Venting may be enough of an impetus to give your child the renewed determination to take on a difficult task.
Give them the tools: Assess the homework, project or assignment and determine when you can act as a facilitator – suggest the use of online research, offer trips to the library. For younger students, make assignment related items available such as beans for counting during math, or live flowers to explore after a science topic on the same subject.
Step Away: Know when to disengage from the interaction. If either you or your child is reaching high levels of frustration, then it is time to separate, or hand off the task to an alternate adult or agree to return to it later.
Laugh: Keep the atmosphere light, and make it fun. Help early spellers learn by using song, or poems, or use cake to demonstrate fractions, then eat it!
Admit your shortcomings: Be aware that some topics are beyond your scope of knowledge, especially with subjects like chemistry, calculus or foreign languages. Don’t be afraid to call for extra help, have your child speak with her teacher prior to class or get a friend fluent in that language to help, or call in a tutor. You can even use a tutroing center, like the Slyvan Learning Center located on 180 South Broadway in White Plains.
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