Helpful Hints for Homework Time:

1. Provide a quiet place where your child can do his/her homeowrk with few distractions.

2. Make sure that you are nearby to provide help should your child have a question.

3. Find a time that best works for your child. Some children perfer working on their homework right after school. Others need a physical break, with a snack and outside play. Sometimes, you the parent need to decide what works best for your child.

4. When reading at night (remember 15 minutes is required), make sure that both you and your child read. It is so important for a child to hear an adult read with fluency and expression to become a better reader. Plus, the added snuggle time will be something that both of you will look forward to and treasure for years to come!

5. When practicing Spelling, provide various ways to practice the words. You might have them spell the words orally (this can be done while traveling in the car). Spelling the words in shaving cream on the bathroom wall is fun and provides more sensory input in learning the words. Your child could write the words on sandpaper for extra "input", or scratch it in the sand with a stick, or on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. All ways to make the learning fun and interesting!

6. When papers come home at the end of the week and you notice that your child had difficulty on that sheet, provide some extra practice at home to ensure his/her full understanding of the skill.

7. Always praise your child for the "effort" that was put forth, encouraging your child to tackle difficult tasks.