Set a regular time for homework-Having a regular time to do homework helps children to finish assignments. If your child is involved in outside activities, such as sports or music lessons, then this may mean that you need a flexible homework schedule. However, don’t let your child leave homework to do just before bedtime. Some families have a required amount of time that their child must devote to homework or some other learning activity each school night. Requiring a certain amount of time each night may discourage your child from rushing through assignments to watch TV or “forgetting” to bring assignments home.

Pick a place-Your child’s homework area doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A kitchen table for the corner of the living room works just fine. The area should have good lighting and it should be fairly quiet.

Remove distractions- Turn off the TV. Some children work well with quiet background music, but loud music from the CD player or radio is not o.k.

Provide supplies and identify resources- Have available pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, calculator, glue, ruler, dictionary etc. If possible try to keep these things together in one place.

Set a good example-Show your child the skills he or she is learning are an important part of the things he or she will do as an adult. Let him or her see you reading books, newspapers, and computer screens; writing reports, letters, emails and lists; using math to balance your checkbook or to measure for new carpeting; doing other things that require thought and effort. Tell your child what you do at work.

Help your child to use everyday routines to support the skills he is learning-for example, teach him to play word and math games; help him look up information about things in which he is interested-singers, athletes, cars, space travel and so forth; and talk with him about what he sees and hears as the tow of you walk through the neighborhood, go shopping at the mall or visit a zoo or museum.

Be interested and interesting-Make time to take your child to the library to check out materials needed for homework (and for enjoyment) and read with your child as often as you can. Talk about school and learning activities in family conversations. Ask your child what was discussed in class that day.

Attend school activities, such as parent-teacher conferences, plays, concerts, open houses and sports events. If you can, volunteer to help in your child’s classroom or at special events.