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HOMEWORK - HOW MUCH HELP DO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE KIDS REALLY NEED - OR ARE THEY JUST HUNGRY FOR ATTENTION?
By Alan Haskvitz
Regardless of how one feels about homework, it does provide a parent with an exceptional tool to learn more about their child's education and progress and build a closer bond. It also inculcates lifetime learning traits such as time management skills, developing responsibility, and learning how to problem solve. In essence, helping your child with homework is a way to help satisfy their need for attention as well as building family unity.
Although California was one of the nation's leaders in class size reduction for students in the primary grades this program may well be ended due to the budget crisis. As such, classes with over 34 students may become common in elementary schools. Thus if a child has a question or is having difficulty with a concept the competition for help is significant, especially if the student is unwilling or afraid to ask a question. Taking the occasion to do homework with your child can help them as well as enabling the adult to see areas of need and even seek teacher assistance.
Research by Catherine O'Rourke-Ferrara found a relationship between a student's good grades and homework competition. The importance of this data is also reflected in the fact that middle school parents report helping their children with homework about two and one-half nights a week and 20 percent admit to doing their child's homework. Other research has revealed that 83 percent of parents like to see their children get homework, and 78 percent of students enjoy homework believing it will make them smarter. So it is evident that homework represents to a parent a win-win situation in that it offers their child positive attention while offering the family the opportunity to maximize learning opportunities.
To best maximize that opportunity here are some helpful tips:
First, place a large calendar in a prominent place and when the student comes home they need to write down his or her homework assignment. You can also place dentist appointments and other notes on the calendar to help them plan their work. This makes it easy for you to check and provide help. Secondly, provide a place for their homework to be done that is free from distractions. Research has shown that having a phone, stereo, computer, or electronic games in a room takes away from a student's ability to complete assignments. Third, have a regular time for them to do homework. Next, monitor homework, but don't do the homework. It is vital that you don't make corrections, but help them see the errors. Furthermore, if you make the corrections you are not allowing the teacher to see potential weaknesses.
A parent can provide positive attention to their elementary aged child by asking the student to explain how they did the work. This builds self-confidence in the pupil and improves their speaking skills and provides an opportunity to observe a child's thinking process. Of note is the evidence that giving praise for doing homework or mastering a procedure is much more valuable than offering money or other bribes. Intrinsic rewards build stronger character and avoid the "What's in it for me?" attitude and develop an understanding of natural consequences for work not completely properly.
Finally, homework encourages a child to be self-motivated and that is a trait that can result in better problem solving abilities if a parent effectively uses it as a tool for inculcating responsibility.
Homework is a rare opportunity for a parent to bond with their child and provide attention and support within limits. With an average of between 20 and 40 minutes of daily homework for elementary students, this work also presents parents with a rich opportunity to help influence their child's future with a small opportunity cost in time.
Homework help sites:
http://www.reacheverychild.com/homework.html
Helping Your Student with Homework:
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/HelpingStudents/index.html
Baby Proofing The Easy Way
By Jara Anton
Preferably before you bring baby home, you should be considering a mass baby-proofing of your home. Better safe than sorry when it comes to preparation for your new family member. Just saying "NO" isn't nearly enough. Keep in mind that your baby doesn't know words yet. That's why the "just say no" approach just isn't realistic. It's better to plug up those electrical outlets before little fingers get a jolt. Before you baby-proof your home, try crawling around on all fours and "thinking" like your baby, advises To save wear and tear on your knees, here's a room-by-room guide to get you started.
With a newborn, you get off a little easier as far as the baby proofing, as they are somewhat immobile. Turn your focus mainly to the cribs. If you are going the thrift store route, or you have chosen to use vintage furniture, make sure that the crib was made post 1992, as there were some serious safety updates that were put forward by the American Society for Testing and Material. Make sure also that the crib fits snug in the crib, keeping in mind that you don't want your baby to slip between mattress and crib. Avoid cribs with elevated corner posts or decorative cutouts in the headboard, as babies could become lodged and/or strangled. The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 3/8 wide, as the baby's head could become stuck. Of course, make sure that all screws, bolts, etc are securely installed. Do not ever put pillows, electric blankets or heating pads in a crib. Avoid all stuffed animals as well, because even though it seems like tradition to put down a baby with a teddy bear, it could result in tragedy.
More baby-proofing includes a rug under the changing table, for cushioning in case the baby does slip off. Nightlights should be at least three feet from the crib and bedding. Also, make a trip to the basement and turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees F or lower.
Once your baby starts walking, it's a whole different ball game. Your baby proofing could turn into a daily chore. Keep your eyes peeled for coins, tiny toys, balloons and varying random bits of debris that could be investigated by a toddler's mouth. As soon as your little angel is old enough to grab, move those mobiles and hanging toys from the crib. Shorten drapery cords and the cords for your blinds.
All doorstops must be abolished for the next few years. All laundry and cleaning products, all medicines, etc must be relocated or locked closed. Floor-level houseplants are also a big no-no. Because it's not a perfect world, keep a bottle of Ipecac and activated charcoal in your home, however, don't act until you hear from a professional. Also, cover all outlets; install a ground fault circuit interrupter on outlets near sinks and bathtubs. Screens will protect fireplaces, radiators and portable space heaters.
While in the living room/den area you should pay careful attention to a few key points. Secure all bookshelves, entertainment centers and drawers since they are prime candidates to be pulled on my an adventurous toddler. Further, arrange all electronics, stereos, televisions so that they may not be pulled down. Your toddler will be pulling themselves up anything convenient. Keep this in mind when you're re-working your living room.
After you have double checked the nursery, the bathroom, kitchen and living room, the basement and garage is next on your list. Keep all paints, varnishes, and dangerous tools out of reach. Storage areas should be locked and off-limits. Unplug all power tools after use. Automatic garage door openers that do not automatically reverse upon contact with an object should be repaired or replaced with new openers that reverse in order to prevent young children from being trapped and killed under closing garage doors.
When it comes to your child's safety, don't be lazy. Keeping your children safe is priority. Do not cut corners.