Editor:
How do I help my child do his/her homework? We (parents) all need help in this area.
Now that our children are back in school, the learning environment in our home is important. Some ways of achieving that is to have a ‘study’ time with no distractions and maybe from time to time, some help from a parent or sibling.
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation (www.edu.pe.ca/) has information on its website to help parents.
Here are some of its tips:
• Show an interest in your child’s homework assignments. Ask about their
subjects;
• Be a role model...take the opportunity to read a book or newspaper while
your child studies;
• Teach your child how to be organized. Be sure they keep an assignment
book;
• Try to relate the homework to your child’s everyday life...use fractions as a child prepares a favorite food;
• Encourage your child to establish a regular time to do homework;
• Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss how reading, spelling and other topics are being taught;
• Make sure your child has a specific place to do homework that offers ample lighting and work space and minimal noise;
• Don’t banish your child to their room to study. Working in the same room may be helpful;
• Work with the teacher in making sure your child completes homework or faces the consequences;
• Praise your child for successfully completing homework.
As the home and school federation puts it, “nothing builds self-esteem like praise from parents.”
Children will bring our respectful attributes into the school, and the community as they further their studies to prepare for the workplace in society.
Tami Martell,
founder of Walk For Talk Verbal Abuse Prevention
