HOMEWORK TIPS Homework! It always seems that little brother or sister can't wait for homework while big brother or sister wishes it would just disappear! Luckily, most kindergarten and first-graders are usually quite excited by it! Homework is primarily about developing responsibility in our children. These skills will help to serve the child well later in his/her school life! HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? Kindergarten and first grade students should spend no more than 15 minutes each evening on homework, plus time spent reading. If your child is consistently spending more time than this or if a particular assignment takes considerably longer, please let us know. If your child is tired and unable to continue, please do not force it, he/she can finish the following day. While our goal is to instill responsibility and increase attention span, we all have days when we're not at our best! A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS -- PARENT INVOLVEMENT Much of the assigned homework in kindergarten and first grade is designed to be done with family members. There are games, interviews, questions, etc. that may accompany a homework assignment. Even independent tasks, however, need parental involvement. Always check your child's work. Parents often wonder, "Should I correct my child's mistakes? How will the teacher know he/she is having a problem?" My advice is, yes, point out the mistakes to your child in a gentle way, and use that opportunity to reteach and clarify the skill. If you would like me to know about a particular problem area, always jot a note, and I'll respond as soon as possible.