How Much Help Should Come From Parents?
Although you'll want to give all the support possible to your children,
don't do their homework or even parts of their homework for them. Teachers
know when an essay isn't a child's work, and dealing with this is difficult.
It's very hard for a teacher to talk with a parent about such a situation,
and it's hard for the parent and child, too. Sometimes you may think if
your child just changes a part here and there or uses your ideas, the essay
or project will be better. It will probably be better, but this sends the
following messages to your child:
- You will do your child's work.
- Your child's work isn't good enough.
Probably the best advice is to set standards for accurate, timely, and
neat homework and to check to make sure your children are fulfilling the
standards. Many children may benefit from your help with drilling and reviewing
math facts, spelling words, vocabulary, possible test questions, etc. You
might want to read over essays and reports reminding your children to make
corrections. Don't try to put the essay or report into your words, but
instead give constructive advice about correcting spelling, organization,
errors in content, etc.
It always helps, if your child is scheduled for a presentation for you
to have the child present to you. Your children will usually be very proud
of their work and will want to share special reports with you.
