How to Help Your Child with Homework

Most parents find it difficult to help their children with homework, don't you think? We could help the neighbor's child without getting so impatient and emotionally invested in the seemingly simple process of helping a child study for a test, or figure out how to spell digging with two "g's". Hey, that's an idea, we could set up a kid-sharing with the neighbors for homework time. Oh well, you know my imagination gets carried away sometimes. So, if you're stuck with helping your own child with homework, a publishing company called Free Spirit has some resources to help.

Tips from How to Help Your Child with Homework

• Set goals with not for your child. Then focus on one at a time.
• Make your child aware of his or her improvement. Reward achievement.
• Direct praise to the task at hand.
• Try not to show disappointment if your child doesn't do as well as you'd like.
• Be enthusiastic. Show humor.
• Be prepared to teach as well as help.
• Use concrete, hands-on materials whenever possible, especially with younger children.
• Help your child build associations between what she knows and what she is learning.
• Provide adequate practice to facilitate overlearning.
• Provide variety. Switch from one subject to another and take breaks to keep up attention.
• Encourage creative thinking. This is an opportunity your child may not be getting at school.
• Encourage independence.
• Take every opportunity to build your child's self-esteem.
• Show a positive attitude toward your child's school and teacher. Work with the teacher not against her.

http://childparenting.about.com/od/elementaryschool/a/homeworkhelp.htm