EXPERT ADVICE
“Did you do your homework?”
That question often sends waves of anxiety over parent, student and teacher alike. At its worst, homework can become a battleground of wills or a daily exercise in guilt. But homework can also be a valuable experience on many more levels than just the content of the lesson to be done.
Turning homework time into a positive experience can be challenging. But it is much easier if everyone understands the purposes for homework and what each can do to get the most value out of doing the assignments.
Why have homework? Homework serves many purposes. It allows extra time to practice skills that the child needs to catch up on and reinforces classroom learning.
It allows for time not available during the busy school day to go beyond the lessons into deeper exploration. And perhaps most important, it provides an opportunity for the child to learn to work independently.
How can a parent help?
Show interest and enthusiasm for what your child is learning! When a parent expresses interest in what the child is learning, it sends a powerful message to the child that what happens in the classroom is important and valuable. Make a special time and place for homework. Children know that adults have meetings or appointments for important events. Homework can be their important meeting time for learning together.
Communicate with your child’s teacher. If homework is too frustrating, the teacher can help adjust the assignments. If the homework seems too easy or boring, the teacher may wish to assign more challenging work for your child. Letting your child’s teacher know if there are difficulties with homework can provide important information to the teacher about your child’s learning and may indicate a need for extra help at school.
What can the teacher do to help?
Communicate with the students and their parents about the purposes for the homework and what the children are expected to be able to do with the assignment.
Be specific about the amount of time an assignment should take and when it is due to be returned to school. If a child is regularly failing to turn in homework, let the parent know as soon as possible.
Be sensitive to many students having no one to help at home. Assign tasks that the child should be able to do on his or her own. Provide time at school for the students to begin homework or get help if they need it.
What should the student’s responsibility be?
Both parent and teacher should expect the student to know what the homework assignment is and when it is due.
The student should be expected to be able to do most of the homework assignment on his or her own. Coaching and encouraging are very appropriate, but should not be allowed to result in the parent actually doing the homework for the child. Allowing the child to make mistakes and then working together to figure out the correct answers can be more valuable than not making mistakes at all.
BOOK EVENTS
* Wednesday in Gardena: Story time at Gardena Public Library will include stories for Black History Month. 1731 W. Gardena Blvd., 10:30 a.m. (310) 323-6363.
* Wednesday in Montrose: Story time at Once Upon a Time bookstore for children ages 2 1/2 to 5. 2284 Honolulu Ave., 11 a.m. (818) 248-9668.
* Wednesday and Friday in Rowland Heights: Story time at Rowland Heights Library will have a Groundhog Day theme. 1850 S. Nogales St. 7 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. on Friday. (626) 912-5348.