Your Involvement Depends On Grade Level

• When your child is small, it’s okay to sit with them and help them through their work.

• Teach them early the process of recording their homework and make completion a priority.

• Make sure you check for yourself what homework is due.

• As your child grows, take a step back and let them assume more responsibility.

• However, you should always maintain a line of communication about what he is learning and corresponding homework.

The First Quarter Is Different Than The Rest

• The first few weeks of the first quarter is spent reviewing.

• Generally, kids do pretty well during this time.

• Ask your children what they are learning every day.

• You may notice when new material is being presented because your child may start asking questions.

When The Questions Start Coming

• This can be a trying time for both kids and adults.

• Kids get frustrated and parents lose patience.

• Many parents have one of these two responses:
  • Adult: “Let me show you how to do fractions.”
  • Child: “No, that’s not how our teacher showed us how to do it.”
  • Adult: “I already went to school. This is your homework, not mine.”

• Neither response is effective.

A Better Response

Adult: “Fractions can be tough. Let’s look at your notes and  see if there is a similar problem in your book.”

• The above response allows the parents to see how well their child takes notes.

• By looking at the book, the parent can also see the format for problem solving.

Always Be Thinking Ahead (ABTA)

• Parenting the school-age child can be a challenge.

• Parents must always be thinking ahead for the best approach.

• Every child is different.

• So style studies will vary.

• The overall goal of any adult is for their child to be self-motivated and independent so that he can figure things out on his own.

• However, it’s also important for your child to know that you are his support network.