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PRINCIPAL'S MONTHLY MESSAGE

Homework Solutions

Like an actor rehearsing his lines or a batter working on his swing, your child does homework to practice what he learns in school. And if he’s like most youngsters, homework brings occasional challenges. Here are solutions to common problems he might face.

Getting started
When your child gets home from school or after-school care, he might want to relax for a little while, or he may want to jump right in and work. Have him try each method of one week and keep track of how it goes. He could write notes in each day’s calendar square. (“Went great?” or “Hard time getting started.”) After two weeks, he can review the notes to see which routine worked best.

Staying motivated
Does your youngster ever feel restless when he’s doing homework? Suggest that he get up and move to a new spot. For example, he might finish his vocabulary assignment at the kitchen table and read his science chapter on the porch. A planned break (say, to have a snack or take a walk) can also give him a second wind.

Solving problems
Help your child make a list of strategies he can use when he gets stuck. For a math assignment, he might try tools like a number line or find sample problems in his book. When he’s reading, he could look up words in a dictionary or reread a paragraph. Tip: If he’s still stumped, he might call a friend or write down his question to ask his teacher the next day.

In Addition:

Let’s pretend!

No matter how old your child is, pretending can boost her creativity and teach her to think abstractly. Try these activities:

 Ask your youngster to close her eyes and imagine she’s a person she has studied (explorer, inventor) or that she’s visiting a place she has learned about (White House, rain forest). Encourage her to describe what she sees, hears, and smells. In the rain forest, for example, she might see colorful birds, hear monkeys howling, and smell damp leaves.

 Pick a random object (sponge). Have each family member list creative uses for it (pin cushion, hamster tumbling mat, ice pack). After three minutes, compare your lists. The person with the most ideas gets to pick the next item.