728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › School and Learning › School Work: MIA

School Work: MIA

No, The Dog Did Not Eat Your Child's Homework

By Kimberly Austin

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Potts never had a problem motivating his girls to work, but at one point the telephone did become a problem. "The (number of) phone calls Amanda got a night were a problem, but we got an answering machine for her," Potts says.

Turner says the fewer distractions a child has, the more time it gives them to focus on the importance of what they are learning. Hodge stresses, however, that children ultimately are responsible for their homework. Parents cannot make their children do their work, especially by the time they are teen-agers, but at age 5, parents can give them the skills and positive attitude necessary to succeed. "Children need to learn time management skills," Hodge says. "Homework should be done at a consistent time every night."

Parents also can help their children with these skills by dividing larger amounts of homework into smaller tasks. Turner and Hodge both strongly recommend reviewing the homework and giving positive feedback. "Some students will put anything down, especially with math," Turner says. "Make sure they have made an attempt to do their work correctly."

Potts had this problem with his younger daughter, Alicia. "She does her homework too quickly, because she wants to go outside and play. We shut playtime down until her homework is done correctly."

The Answer is Always C?
 The answer is not always "C." For many parents, several years have Passed since they graced the halls of a school. If a parent cannot answer a child's question, that's OK, and does not mean the parent can't help. Hodge says the PTA provides source lists, "so if a parent doesn't know the answer, they can call the teacher or have the child can meet with the teacher first thing in the morning."

Sometimes the solutions become more involved. Potts says last year Amanda had some difficulty with Algebra. "I tried to help but it's been 20 years since I have taken Algebra," Potts says. "Her friends could help her but they only gave her the answers and not the equation or steps to get there." Potts and his daughter decided that she should see a tutor two to three nights a week.


Pages:  1  2  3  4