Some

parents find it so difficult that they actually do assignments for children.

This isn’t a good idea because homework is kids’ responsibility. It teaches them important lessons and builds confidence. There are ways, however, that parents can help with homework.

Here are some of them:

• Help organize. Encourage your child to use calendars, assignment notebooks, folders and other organizers. Let her pick a regular time and place to study.

• Help plan. Teach your child to divide large projects into small parts. If a report is due in three weeks, for example, she’ll have to do research, make an outline, write a rough draft and do revisions.

• Help study. Call out spelling words to your child or use flash cards with her. Give her test-taking tips, such as “read instructions carefully” and “don’t spend too long on individual questions.”

• Help clarify. If you understand an assignment your child is confused about, discuss it with her. Help her with sample problems.

But let her do the actual homework herself. If the assignment confuses you too, have your child review it with her teacher.

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