Homework Help
Imagine everyday going to work where everyone but you excels at their job, where you are constantly being judged by the tasks you can’t do, worried about being exposed for not “getting it” and being teased and made fun of by your co- workers. Then, at the end of the day, your employer gives you hours of additional work to complete at home.
This is the analogy many mothers have shared with me when describing how their children feel when facing their homework. The situation and the bad feelings are magnified when your school district has no strategy for educating children with learning differences and there is no adjustment to your child’s homework expectations. So, it’s up to us parents to pick up the ball and help our kids get through the homework while minimizing the hardship.
As a special education teacher, camp co-director Tom Macht has put together these homework suggestions for you.
Talk to your child’s teacher. Whether or not your child has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or a 504 Plan , it will be helpful to discuss the amount of time your child is spending on homework each night. Modifications such as reduction techniques, e.g., doing the odd numbers on a spelling assignment or math assignment, can sometimes mean a big difference in the number of hours your child spends on homework. Their teacher can still determine that your child understands the lesson. Many teachers will be willing to work with you. You need to be persistent with them.
Get the assignments home. Often getting the assignments home can be a bigger challenge than getting the work completed. For many families it works to have a homework folder. The folder becomes THE PLACE where assignments go when they are handed out, where all homework goes when it is completed and where to find the completed work when asked to turn it in. I recommend this folder be with your child throughout each day. Encourage your child to check their folder at the end of each day. All of their completed assignments should be turned in and all of their new assignments should be there ready to take home. Some teachers will even be willing to check this folder if asked. Ask.
Free time. Allow time after school just for playing and fun activities. This gives your kids time to relax and to release some of those frustrations that may have been building up during the school day.
Establish a consistent homework time and place. Set a specific time and place for homework. The routine and location become comfortable and the kids know what to expect. The location should be a desk away from distractions. The desk should be clear except for their homework material.
The magic of guessing “How long?” Have your child estimate how long it will take them with any given homework task. For example, let’s say your child needs to write spelling words in sentences and they think it will take them a half an hour. Their involvement in telling you how long it will take will motivate them to be right. If they need some help offer it. Do this same exercise with each subject. How did they do?
Patience will always be a virtue. You know that your child will do everything to distract themselves, and you, at homework time. You also know how they are feeling after a long day at school. None of us like it, but this is the time when their frustrations can be enormous and it’s the time they start to unload on you. Be patient. Don’t fall into the trap and lash out too. Take a time-out. Call a friend. Call us. Remember, your child feels safest with you and you have got to be their rock.
It’s your kid’s homework, not yours. Homework assignments are for students, not for parents. Be there to help when they need it. Give them direction and encouragement. Give them a snack break. But don’t do the work for them.
Reward successes! Make a very big deal out of getting homework completed in a timely fashion, for getting assignments turned in on time, after receiving a good grade. Praise them when they have succeeded. Your pride and love are the best medicine for their frustrating time with schoolwork. Now, reward yourself. It is a success just getting through the day without killing each other. Moms and Dads must find ways to reward themselves or you will go nuts.
If you are interested in reading more on the subject of homework help click here for an article at the ADD Association.
Let us know how it goes. Good luck!
-Ann & Tom
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