Healthy Kids
No denying it, the new school year has begun and it’s time
for the homework to start and for children to begin implementing their
study habits. But, how involved should a parent get in assisting their
child with the homework basics?
"It is important for parents to set a framework of expectations
for their child in regards to the amount of homework they should be
able to do at one time," says Rochelle Harris, PhD., clinical
psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics. "When your child
is young, you should have different expectations than you would for an
older child."
When a child is young, parents should go through their child’s
backpack to determine what homework they have and when and where she is
allowed to do her homework, says Dr. Harris. However, when the child
gets older he should be allowed to have some say on where and when he
is allowed to study, within reason.
Parents who aren’t involved in helping their child with the
homework process may not see the developmental and behavioral problems
their child may have.
It is also important for parents to key in to the transition
from elementary school to middle school. About 30 percent of children
don’t make an easy transition from the one-classroom setting to a
setting in which a child has multiple classrooms and multiple teachers,
says Dr. Harris.
Following are some of the warning signs that indicate your
child
is having difficulty keeping up with their homework.
- Never has homework
- Spends too much time on their homework.
- Seems confused about and how to do their homework.
Following is a list of ways to help, if your child is struggling.
- Get to know your child’s teacher. Attend school events such as
parent-teacher conferences.
- Sit down with the child and help them work through the questions
and/or problems. Note: do not do the work yourself.
- Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure your child has a well-
lit and supplied place with minimal distractions.
- Schedule a regular study time.
- Praise your child’s work and recognize his or her efforts. Stick
good grades on the refrigerator to commend them.
- If your child has continuing problems with homework, talk with his
teacher.
"Just remember, don’t wait too long, because the longer it takes to
diagnose and discover problems, the harder it may be to correct them,"
says Dr. Harris.
