Back to school: Help your child with homework, without taking over completely

MBOMBELA – The schools have reopened. Soon, learners will begin to get homework – aside from covering school books.

As a parent, you have completed school, so why do it again? In an attempt to help, some parents become over-involved in their children’s school work.

This is especially the case where the learner is struggling with a subject, or perceived to not have sufficient time for it due to extra-mural activities.

Ms Susanna Oosthuizen, spokesman for Penryn, agrees that a parent should never do a child’s homework for them.

But how to help, without taking over? Penryn Preparatory School teachers offer parents some tips.

The do’s and don’ts for parents when it comes to homework:

• Encourage independence when it comes to homework, but make sure your child knows you are available for assistance. If your child is confident that he/she is on the right track, allow them to continue but do check if it is indeed correct.
• When it comes to homework, do not force children to immediately continue with their homework after school. Allow them to relax a few minutes.
• Help your child to break big projects down into a series of smaller segments.
• Plan thoroughly before diving in.
• Tell your child that you are proud of him, his efforts and achievements.
• Don’t try to teach your child the same way you were taught.
• Don’t do your child’s homework for him.
• Don’t make negative comments in front of your child with regards to a teacher’s assignments of abilities.
• Don’t leave a big important project for the day or night before it’s due.
• Allow your child to develop his own learning style and be flexible on how and where he prefers to study.
• Don’t bribe children to do their homework.
• Try to make homework fun.
• Encourage reading – preferably fiction.You may also be interested in:
• Are you ready for school? Avoid falling prey to the anxiety going back to school generates.
• What do I make the kids for lunch today? And tomorrow? And next week? Three tasty lunchbox ideas for school.