Parents play an important role in helping their child believe that time spent completing homework can and does make a difference in a successful school year. Some tips in helping your child have a positive experience in completing homework assignments are as follows:
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Stress the importance of homework by providing a time and place with all the necessary supplies.
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Provide your child with a clear table or desk to work on, good lighting, and a comfortable chair.
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Make sure the homework area is free from background distractions of loud noises (television, conversations, pets, etc..).
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Some children work best with "white noise" soft instrumental music playing in the background.
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Each day say to your child, "Tell me about your homework." Rather than asking your child if he/she has homework.
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Children perform best in a supportive atmosphere. Reinforce your belief that homework is important by supporting, encouraging, and praising your child's efforts.
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If your child is working hard but is having disappointing results, reassure him/her that some subjects are more difficult than others. Help your child to see and understand his/her individual strengths and weaknesses.
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Listen to or discuss the main points of a homework assignment with your child.
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To make sure your child understands the assignment, together work on one or two examples.
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After the homework is completed, make sure your child places the finished product into his/her backpack.
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Designate a place (close to the door) to keep the backpack so it is readily available for the next morning.
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Communicate with your child's teacher when more information is needed about assignments.
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Help your child become his/her own advocate to discuss homework assignments with his/her teacher.
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Look over your child's homework after it has been corrected by the teacher. Have your child tell you about the errors and how to correct them.