Why Homework?
Homework gives you an opportunity to find out what your child has been learning in school and to get involved in the process.
Homework can help your child to do well at school. It gives children the chance to practise and consolidate classwork and to learn how to plan and organise their time. With support and encouragement children find it easier to get into good homework habits.
How Can Parents Help?
There are many different ways in which you can help:
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the atmosphere should be supportive, calling sometimes for great patience on your part!!
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try to make homework a time when you work together with your child as a partner, avoiding acting as a judge or cross examiner
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please make sure that a suitable place and time are set aside at home for your children to do their homework. It is better for the child to do his/her homework early rather than late, and in an atmosphere of peace and quiet.
What if there is a Problem with Homework?
Parents’ Role
Sometimes homework can be a source of tension despite everyone’s best efforts. I f you find that your child is experiencing regular difficulty in some areas you may:
When unusual circumstances at home mean that your child is unable to do his/her homework a short note in your child’s jotter or phone call to the school to explain this would be appreciated.
Feel free to ask your child to redo his/her homework if it is not done to your satisfaction.
Listen to what they are saying.
Show your pride by acknowledging their successes.
A balance of leisure activities, time with friends and family and school work is important e.g. playing word games, choosing books together, developing sporting skills and musical interests. These are valuable aspects of education, and can properly be called ‘homework’. It is often better to select such aspects than to try to cram your children’s heads with extra academic work e.g. even harder sums or written exercises.
They shouldn’t need to spend all their time on school work. Encourage them to have other interests.
Try not to compare them negatively to others – either older or younger brothers or sisters or other children in their class. This will discourage rather than motivate.
If they need support, encourage them to think about how they can find answers for themselves. This will help them more than doing the work for them. Overcoming difficulties and solving problems is one of the ways we learn.
Show an interest in what they are doing and encourage them to talk about it.
Ask them to explain the things you don’t know about.
Useful Homework Links and Contact
For Parents
http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/
If you would like further information, please contact the school office.
