The ABC's of Homework

John Rosemond writes in his book Ending the Homework Hassle:

Homework for the school-age child is an opportunity to learn the valuable organizational skills for strong study habits. . Parents can "get the most out of homework for your child "when you understand the purpose of it and values it encourages.

The Purpose of homework is to practice and strengthen academic skills.

Seven Hidden Values Of Homework: Ending the Homework Hassle:

1. A is for "All By Myself"
- Homework is the student's responsibility and should be done in private.

2. B is for "Back Off"
- Parents need to resist helping children with homework.
- Help only if the child asks for assistance after a legitimate, determined effort to solve it himself or herself.
- don't steal a "child's struggle."
- help should be brief and encouraging; norm is 5 minutes; if it takes more than 15 minutes, refer it back to the teacher.

3. C is for " Call it Quits at a Reasonable Hour."
- set a time limit [remember setting an ending time is more important than setting a beginning time. Set a consistent deadline, 8 pm for example; this deadline can be temporarily extended for special projects and major tests