Helping with Homework Without doing it yourself

Why Give Homework? To allow students the opportunity to generalise skills learnt at school; To give the message that the work they do, is as valued as that of all other students in a mainstream class; To ensure that they are included in mainstream class activities; To practise a skill or drill over time, (eg. Counting activities, times tables or spelling words) to enable it to go into long term memory To inform parents about the work their child is doing; To complete supplementary tasks related to schoolwork that cannot be completed at school; Because a parent or student asks for it.

Homework All parents want their children to experience success in school and helping children with homework is one way to assist their success as well as to demonstrate that the work they do at school is important to you.

Do’s and Don’ts There are, however, dos and don'ts you should follow when helping with homework. Don't do the work for your child

Don't: Don’t set yourself up as the homework monster !

Negotiate a time and place for homework Think about the things your child enjoys doing and the things they have to do such as appointments and chores, Fit homework in around these times. Develop a homework timetable Do:

Be Flexible Don’t feel that you can’t vary or change your child’s homework plan – if they are tired or just need a break

What can I do to help them? Read assignments or written instructions to them. Ask them what they have to do. If they are unsure read it through with them. Break the task down into simple steps. Assist the student in finding mistakes that they are capable of identifying. Type or write down their verbal responses to questions or tasks set for them. For some tasks video or audio records of work completed are acceptable. If you and they are both confused about a task communicate ASAP in their diary or by phone with the teacher.

What else can I do? Praise their work in some way. (Not reward, but praise we all need to be praised.)

Remember Our students often have to work harder at school most days than other students – therefore they may have less homework than others Often practising a skill that will increase their independence is of far greater value than academic homework – eg. Shopping, travelling by bus, baking a cake. However If homework has been set for your child it has been given for a reason –it is important

If they have no homework and you want them to maintain the habit, then the following are good alternative tasks that they can do during their homework time. They can –

read to you for 5-10 minutes from a suitable book; read through the TV guide and find out what time a specific show is on; add up the prices of a few items from a junk mail catalogue write out a short list of things you need to get from the shop for you; play a board game with you or another family member; play guessing games such as what number am I thinking of? You can read to them stopping regularly to ask them questions about what you are reading;

The following are important living skill activities that all our students benefit from practising and they support the work we do with them at school

Other activities that your child can do at home to assist in developing and using the skills learnt at school -

Measuring

Money Skills

Reading and Writing

Time

Generally, whatever the task, our students will need some assistance or support with their homework. It is unlikely that they will be able to set up and complete tasks completely independently. However the level and kind of support you may need to give will vary greatly from student to student depending upon their individual strengths and weaknesses.