The amount of homework has increased over the years, but what is interesting is that children aren’t spending any more time doing it. So, they have to accomplish more in a shorter time.

How can you help your children cope with homework? Kids Health Notes readers – real parents themselves- speak out.

Here are 20 strategies for helping children with homework:

1. Let the children unwind first, and de-stress from school. Give a snack, ask how the day or school went. Bring them to the table but don’t have them play.
2. Don’t wait to start doing homework too late or they will get too tired or distracted and instead just want to play.
3. Most parents agree that doing homework before dinner is best. This leaves for a little family time after dinner.
4. Get rid of all distractions – no TV, computer, video games etc.
5. Find a quiet spot to do homework. As one parent said make it “a sacred” spot that is clean and with sufficient light and ventilation.
6. Have a “homework box” or supplies handy so they have everything within reach.
7. Teach them to figure out how to get the answers on their own.
8. Don’t try to get it all done, as it can be overwhelming after a long school day. Check their work after they’re done.
9. NEVER do their homework for them, even (and especially when) they forgot it.
10. When the kids are having a hard time understanding a concept, let them take a break and get back to it later.
11. If possible, work one on one with each child and send the other one to do something else while we are working, That way it is quiet and they have your attention.
12. If other children are done, or they have no homework, get them to do workbooks or worksheets to that everyone is at the table doing homework and no one is watching TV or playing.
13. Make it a family affair. If there are older siblings, have them help the younger ones. Involve both parents if around.
14. If you’re not helping them, it helps to stay with them: “just being near, folding laundry, clipping coupons, whatever, because I find that if I leave they start to wander”.
15. Praise their attempts AND their successes.
16. Hand out rewards for excellent work. Rewards can be creative and diverse, like extra play hour on the weekend, or time with Mom/Dad, a favorite treat.
17. For younger children: Try to find a way to make it fun. For example, play a game with spelling words.
18. Homeschooling? Try to do it all throughout the day but take short breaks in between subjects so it’s not so overwhelming.
19. Let the child read out loud.
20. Use the internet for resources, but always under parent’s supervision.

image: sxc

Post from: Blisstree

20 strategies for helping with homework – tips from real parents

Most of my friends’ kids right now are up to their eyeballs with homework, projects, crafts and papers that need to be turned in for school. It’s getting to be a very busy year for parents and their young students. If your kid is feeling a little too “ho-hum” or “aaack!” with school, I have just the thing to get her some breather.

Sakura has generously sponsored to give-away 10 sets of Sticklers Kits, each with die-cut stickers and Sakura Glaze or Souffle Pens. Cool isn’t it? She (or he) can decorate her stuff with the pens and stickers and make them stand out, more personalized, more jazzed. I played with the Sticklers myself and now my cell phone, key chain, scrapbook, binder and laptop have Sticklers all over them. Uber-FUN!!! It really is like eye candy for young artists! And it’s just the little thing you need to get some smile back.

So, who’s up for it? Here’s how to join:

Answer this in the comment: How do you help your child cope with schoolwork?

• One entry per person per day.
• It’s open to residents of the US only
• Contest ends 11:59 midnight EST on October 12, 2008 (Sunday). Ten winners will be randomly chosen and announced via blog and email the week after.
• If a winner does not reply within 3 days, he/she forfeits her winnings and an alternate entry will be chosen.
• REMINDER #1 : In previous contests, I have had several winners forfeited for failure to reply to my emails.  Please make sure your settings don’t put my email into the junk folder, then you’ll have no idea you actually won. Better yet, please check this blog out for the winners’ list after the contest ends. Best bet, come back often and stay a reader!
• REMINDER #2: Only entries with legit answers will be included in the draw. There are good reasons I ask these questions in Kids Health Notes. Actually, only a few forget to answer the questions, but I really want to include all commenters into the contest, so just take note of that when you join. And as always, I appreciate the conversation. Have fun here!

UPDATE: This contest is now closed.

Post from: Blisstree

Kids Health Notes give-away: Sakura Sticklers