Monitoring schoolwork has even more of an effect than parents’ education levels or how well off parents are financially.

To monitor effectively, one learning expert urges parents to do a daily “Five Minute Achievement Check.” Every day, give at least five minutes of your full attention to your child’s schoolwork. Follow these steps in order:

1. Examine homework to be turned in the next day. See that handwriting is neat and has no misspellings. Check math for obvious errors.

2. Question what you don’t understand. Have your child explain it to you until you are sure she understands it.

3. Listen as your child recites spelling words and other memory work.

4. Check your child’s assignment book to ensure that all work is done.

5. Check work returned from teachers. Ask your child to redo any work with errors on it.

Throughout all the steps, be objective, sympathetic, calm, and patient. Offer help and praise instead of criticism. And stress that you know your child can overcome any temporary setbacks.

Doing the same thing every day helps your child know what to expect—and his grades are sure to improve.

Copyright © Parent Institute