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Homework Skills for Young Children
A Chatham County resident asked about how to teach good homework habits to young children. This is an excellent question
because the best time to teach children lasting homework habits is when they are young and impressionable. First, as background,
the homework provided to the child should be at the level that the child has already mastered so the child can work independently
to practice skills. If the child is struggling with the content of the homework, the parent should contact the teacher to
adjust the difficulty level of the work. Assuming that the work level is appropriate, this is an opportunity for the parent
to teach good works skills which will last into the future. If the parent is enthusiastic about the chance for new learning,
the child may catch some of this positive spirit. A young child has a very limited concept of time and space organization,
so the parent can began to teach these skills. The parent should help the child decide the best time for homework for that
particular child. It does not always have to be the same time per day if the child has many activities, but the timing should
be discussed and approved so that the parent can help the child with the schedule. You can post the schedule on a chalkboard
so you can alter the homework schedule when needed. This is an opportunity to teach time, so the parent can show the child
the hands on the clock, set a timer, or draw a clock diagram so the child may eventually internalize basic concepts of time
and planning. Although adults often think that the child should get to the homework immediately after school, a time for
a snack and recreation can often be planned before the child begins work. A young child may need breaks programmed into the
schedule. Ideally, the work should be started and completed before dinnertime, so that the child can have some down time,
bath time and a good night's sleep. The child should have a special place organized for school work. A desk with appropriate
study materials is ideal, although the adults will have to oversee the child organizing the space and keeping it neat. Another
concept is to have a folding organizer which the child can bring to a table and set up with work materials. The background
of the area should be kept quiet, with the TV off, so that the child can concentrate. It is very important that the adult
stress the child's responsibility for his or her own work and the parent refrain from completing the work for the child.
The parent should praise the child for work completion, but accuracy is the responsibility of the child. Each parent will
want to clarify with the teachers their expectations about parent responsibility for homework. In some cases, for example,
the teacher expects the parent to cross-check the homework with the child's planning book. Your child's teacher is a good
source of information about appropriate expectations for your child's work. If your child is experiencing difficulty, you
can also check with the school counselor as to the special kinds of assistance and accommodations available for your child.
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