Whether your child goes to a traditional school or is home-schooled, he or she will need support and guidance from parent(s) in order to succeed. Homework assignments are designed to build on what children have learned so they are better prepared for the next day's assignments and can help develop self-discipline and responsibility. According to Maria Montessori, children are born with a desire to learn when given an environment that is stimulating and encouraging. You can tap into your child's thirst for learning by showing enthusiasm for the learning process yourself. The development of a family learning station will enable your child to access your help with homework, as well as demonstrate the learning process is something to be enjoyed throughout life.
Getting Started
Step 1
Set up a comfortable area with good lighting for you and your child to address homework demands each day at a consistent time. Set up a homework chart to help your child keep track of when items are due to encourage good study habits on a daily basis.
Step 2
Be available to assist your child with questions, but model the learning process by having your own learning materials to read or write about for a set period of time.
Step 3
Encourage your child to do each assignment thoroughly so he or she can spend time learning about something of interest on a personal level, to encourage understanding that the learning process extends beyond the classroom.
Step 4
Check your child's work and offer praise. If you see incorrect answers, simply point them out and help him or her think it through correctly without doing the problem.
Step 5
Always make the family learning station a pleasant place to be in. Adding plants, artwork and soft music can create an ambiance that inspires a child to learn.
Tips and Warnings
- Aromatherapists believe the use of aromatherapy can help stimulate the homework experience. Using a diffuser to enhance the learning station with essential oil of orange, lemon balm or cardamom may help keep the mind alert. Encourage your child to take breaks to get the blood flowing with spurts of physical activity, followed by a glass of water.
- If your child is frustrated by the difficulty of a particular homework assignment, consider utilizing the expertise of a subject-specific tutor. If your child is negative about homework because it is boring or repetitive, consider talking with your child's teacher about the issue.
Things You'll Need
- Table
- Chairs
- Good lighting
- Pencils
- Pens
- Paper
- Chart
- Stickers
- Potted plant
- Homework
- Learning materials
References
- "The Aromatherapy Book"; Jeanne Rose; 1992
- "The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom"; Mary Griffith; 1998
- "Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling"; John Holt; 2003
- "How Children Learn"; John Holt; 1995
- "Guerrilla Learning: How to Give Your Kids a Real Education With or Without School"; Grace Lewellyn; 2001
