Written by Earl Martin Phalen
While classroom participation and learning is a critical part of student development, homework is also crucial. Parents and family members are a major factor in learning at home and to help increase a child’s success in school. So what can you do to help without struggling to answer complex Trigonometry questions for them? Below are three quick homework tips for parents:
- Establish a regular scheduled time for homework to be done. Just as good grooming and nutrition are a regular part of the day, homework should have the same priority and schedule for you and your child.
- If you do not know how to help with an aspect of your child’s homework, don’t hesitate to find a tutor. Math, history, and science can be complicated. You probably know that from your own time in school. Reach out to private tutors or some of your community’s best non-profit educational organizations like Higher Achievement Program, Aim High, and BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life).
- Use positive reinforcement for completed assignments with good results. Whether it’s an A on a spelling test, a B for a science project or just consistency in successful completion of something–reinforce your child with special privileges or things that motivate them.
So to rap up, an easy way to remember the three tips is through the acronym S -T – a – R. (Let’s just say the “a” is silent)
S — Schedule (create a schedule)
T – Tutor (reach out to a tutor)
a
R – Reinforce (reinforce, with compliments and otherwise, for strong effort and great results)
Your engagement and leadership is THE most important factor in your child’s life. Implement these tips and help your child excel.
Earl Martin Phalen is the CEO of Reach Out and Read, which impacts early literacy efforts for 4 million children annually. Phalen is also the Founder of Summer Advantage USA. Recognized by TIME Magazine, Summer Advantage uses research based summer programs to help school districts increase student performance.
A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, Phalen was an education advisor to President Obama’s 2008 campaign and was Co-Chair of Massachusetts Governor Patrick’s education task force.
