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1. Ms Franca Okechukwu
Helping your children with their school
assignments

3. School assignments are usually referred to as homework
and for the most part, to most learners, are quite
unappealing.
Despite this, it is very important as it allows learners
practice pertinent life skills such as;
 working independently, and efficiently;
 practice self-discipline and build responsibility;
 develop time management skills.
Why Do Teachers Assign Homework?
It also creates an opportunity for:
 understanding between families and
educators (when involved in the learning
process);
 increased communication between both
parties.

4. Why inclusion is important ?
To some parents and learners, school work, most especially those sent home, seems like an
overwhelming task– which shouldn’t be.
As a parent, there are quite a number of ways you can help your child be effective with
assigned tasks and ensure that your child forms good study and work habits.
The concept of being included in your child’s activities can affect his/her learning. This all
depends on your level of inclusion.
This can serve as an avenue for you to become more immersed in the learning process.
You’d end up developing a healthy appreciation of education and the educator(s).
You’re also given an opportunity to express valid opinions and attitudes about the value of
success in school, not make assumptions.

5. The role of homework in learning (1/2)
Integration
apply skills and
knowledge to unit or
multilevel tasks
Extension
reinforce learning
to gain mastery
Preparation
prepare for the
next lesson

6.  Extension
reinforce learning and help the learners
master specific skills by applying the
acquired knowledge/ skill to new situations.
The role of homework in learning (2/2)
 Integration
knowledge harvesting and application of
many different skills to a single task, such as
book reports, science projects or creative
writing.
 Preparation
introduces the focus of the next lesson.
learners are therefore well prepared to learn
this new material when it is presented and
covered in class.

7.  Establish reasonable expectations
 Create fun age-appropriate activities
 Target activities to cultivate life skills
 Establish proper communication with parents
 Reinforce confidence and promote consistency
Educator

8.  Have a can–do attitude towards
school work. Your attitude is
crucial to their attitude;
Parents– dos and don’ts (1/34)
 Prepare a work area that is
quiet, and well-lit;
 Provide all necessary materials
needed– such as papers, pencils,
calculators, mathematical sets, and a
dictionary–are available;
 Help with time
management;

9.  Provide moral support by
working when they are working;
Parents– dos and don’ts (2/3)
 When help is needed, provide
guidance, not answers;
 When the educator requests you
play a role in homework, do it;
 If homework is meant
to be done by your
child alone, stay away.

10.  Have a consistent schedule for when
homework gets done;
 Where understanding is a major challenge,
talk with the educator and arrange for
tutoring if needed;
 When losing patience and temper, step
back. Do not let your frustration make
him/her feel stupid for not understanding;
 Everyone learns differently – have your
child(ren) study in ways that are most
helpful to them.
Parents– dos and don’ts (2/3)

11.  Communicate with the educator and understand
the purpose of assigned tasks.
 Guide your child in figuring out the “hard” and
“easy” tasks and provide assistance for the “hard”
tasks.
 Have them do the hard work first, then the easy
tasks later. This helps deal with fatigue and
frustration.
 Watch out for signs of failure and frustration.
 Allow short breaks where attention is a problem.
 Reward progress in homework.
Parents– stay informed, be aware

12.  Child has missed school and has
assignments to make-up
 Instructions are unclear
 Challenges in providing needed
supplies/materials
Parents– tell the educator
 Assigned tasks
too hard
 Assigned tasks
too easy
 Assigned tasks
too many

13.  No matter how frustrated they may feel, do not
their homework for them.
 Guide not answer.
 Realize that teaching your child to do homework
is a process not a one-off event.
 If you are trying to break bad homework habits,
consider using a chart.
 Keep them motivated and in high spirits!
 Reward good work and don’t foist unhealthy
expectations on them.
Final thoughts!
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday TotalPoints
Spelling 2
assignments
Reading 10 minutes
Scouts
Read 10 minutes
Math Practice
sheet. Spelling
Practice
Soccer
Before bed reading
10 minutes.
Before bed reading
10 minutes.
Your primary roles:
 Show that you believe education
and homework are important.
 Monitor assignments.
 Provide guidance.
 Work with not against
educators to resolve problems.

14.  Family Education
http://life.familyeducation.com/parenting/discipline/45283.html#ixzz1Uke7nh76
 U.S. Department of Education, Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs,
Educational Partnerships and Family Involvement Unit, Homework Tips for
Parents, Washington, D.C., 2003.
 Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork
http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/tips/index.htm
 A Teacher's Guide to Homework Tips for Parents
U. S. Department of Education
 Google images
Resources