Checklist for Helping Your Child with Homework

1. Show That You Think Education and Homework are Important

• Do you set a regular time every day for homework?
• Does your child have the papers, books, pencils and other things needed to do assignments?
• Does your child have a well-lit, fairly quiet place to study?
• Do you set a good example by showing your child that the skills he is learning are an important part of the things he will do as an adult?
• Do you stay in touch with your child's teacher?

2. Monitor Assignments

• Do you know what your child's homework assignments are? How long they should take? How the teacher wants you to be involved in them?
• Do you see that your child starts and completes assignments?
• Do you read the teacher's comments on assignments that are returned?
• Is TV viewing or video game playing cutting into your child's homework time?

3. Provide Guidance

• Do you help your child to get organized? Does your child need a schedule or assignment book? A book bag or backpack and a folder for papers?
• Do you encourage your child to develop good study habits (for example, scheduling enough time for big assignments; making up practice tests)?
• Do you talk with your child about homework assignments? Does she understand them?

4. Talk with Teachers to Resolve Problems

• Do you meet with the teacher early in the year before any problems arise?
• If a problem comes up, do you meet with the teacher?
• Do you cooperate with the teacher to work out a plan and a schedule to solve homework problems?
• Do you follow up with the teacher and with your child to make sure the plan is working?