Effective Ways to Handle Homework

 Question: What are some effective ways to handle homework? -- Concerned

  Answer: If there are any homework battles in your home, or you want to avoid having any, we suggest that families use a homework contract. These contracts lay out such things as when homework will be done and what the responsibilities are for both children and their parents. We have a free homework contract on our Dear Teacher website (DearTeacher.com). You'll find it in Skill Builders under Study Skills. You can tailor the contract to meet your family's needs.

  Setting the homework stage properly is important. Whether you like it or not, parents have to play a role in helping their children handle homework. However, the sooner you put them on the path to handling homework by themselves, the happier you both will be. Check to see if you are doing what is necessary to make your children responsible for their homework:

  --Teach your young children how to organize and tackle their homework.

  --Show your children how to handle difficult assignments.

  --Provide help only when it is requested and they have really tried to do work.

  --Help them become responsible for starting homework without any reminders.

  --Make sure your children have a place to do their homework.

  --Find a homework plan that works for your family.

  --Talk with someone at school if your children are struggling every day to complete their work.