TWELVE TIPS FOR HOMEWORK HELPERS
1. Maintain two-way communication with your child - Listen and respond to what your child has to say. Don't just lecture.
2. Don't give your child a choice unless you mean it - Instead of saying, "Would you like to work on your science homework now?", say, "It's time to work on your science homework. Please join me at the table."
3. Set goals with your child and then focus on one at a time - Start with one that your child is almost guaranteed to achieve.
4. Expect Progress - If your expectations are high, your child will respond in kind.
5. Reward achievement - If your child works especially hard on a difficult assignment and completes it successfully, that's worth celebrating.
6. Avoid criticism - Try not to show disappointment if your child doesn't do as well as well as you'd like.
7. Use timers - For some children, a timer spurs effort and puts an end to stalling.
8. Be prepared to teach - You may need to "fill in the blanks"
9. Prior knowledge - Help your child build associations between what he/she already knows and what is being learned.
10. Provide variety - Take breaks, share a snack, take a short walk, or have a joke-telling session.
11. Encourage independence - Your child should try to do the homework on his/her own.
12. Show a positive attitude toward school - Emphasize the importance of school and school work.
