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Parent Tips

Homework Strategies

  • Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.- Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going. Try having all family members take part in a quiet activity during homework time. You may need to take a toddler outside or into another room to play.
  • Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available.- Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.
  • Help your child with time management.- Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don‘t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.
  • Provide movement breaks.- Some children benefit from movement breaks throughout homework time. Try having the child work for 10 minutes then have them take something upstairs/get the mail/do push ups/something to get them up and moving.
  • Be positive about homework.- Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires. Children do better and have better feelings about going to school when parents and families take interest in their academics!
  • When your child does homework, you do homework.- Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.
  • When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.- Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.
  • When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.- Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.
  • If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away.- Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.
  • Stay informed.-Talk with your child‘s teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child‘s class rules are.
  • Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.- Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.
  • Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration.- Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment.
  • Reward progress in homework.- If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort. All ages respond to praise. Kids need encouragement from people whose opinions they value the most-their families! "Good first draft of your book report!" or "You've done a great job!" can go a long way toward motivating your child to complete assignments.

Parent Resource Center

The staff at Hans Herr Elementary recognizes that there are many ways to help students succeed, inside and outside the classroom. Our Parent Resource Center, located in the front lobby, offers resources on various topics such as literacy, child development, building moral character, and parenting issues. Whether you are a classroom teacher, parent, or volunteer, please come by and feel free to check out any of the materials to use at home with your student. We believe that a partnership with all who are involved in children's learning is an important element that can make a difference in our student's success.