Try these tips if your child rushes through assignments and produces less-than-his-best work.

• Set higher standards. Tell your child that homework must be done with care. He should use his best handwriting and answer all the questions.

• Set a minimum amount of time for doing homework. If your child finishes early, she can read or review lessons.

• Look for and praise careful work. Encourage your child to make all of his work look as good as possible.

• If your child says sloppiness is “OK” with the teacher, talk with the teacher. Ask her to work with you on encouraging good work.

• Provide positive consequences for doing good work and negative consequences for poor work.

Copyright © Parent Institute