Watson, C. (2000, March 13). Parents’ assistance boosts students. The Daily Oklahoman, p. 1-2B.

OVERVIEW

Recognizing that completing homework is vital to a child’s education, and seizing the opportunity to share time with their children, many parents are taking more active role in their child’s post-school assignments. The author notes that support and encouragement by parents is a "good way to help children become better students."

Some teachers encourage child/parent homework interaction by making " ‘their lesson plans centered around parental involvement,’ " notes Robyn Miller, assistant professor of education at Oklahoma Christian University. There are lots of ways to faciliate such interaction, from "asking students to identify household objects that are square, circular, or cone-shaped," to "making assignments to research family history."

The National Parent-Teacher Association and the U.S. Education Department suggest the following tips to help enhance students’ academic success:

• Set a regular time for homework.
• Make sure your child has the papers, books, and pencils needed for the assignments.
• Find a quiet place to study.
• Set a good example by reading and writing yourself.
• Stay in touch with your child’s teachers.
• Know what your child’s homework assignments are, how long they should take, and how the teacher wants you to be involved.
• Make sure assignments are completed.
• Read teachers’ comments on assignments that are returned.
• Discuss teachers’ homework expectations at the beginning of the year and during parent-teacher conferences.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Are kids in your youth group assertive about doing their homework? Why or why not?
2. Do you notice a difference in kids whose parents take an active role in their education and those kids whose parents are less involved?
3. How can you, as a youth worker, help kids with their homework?
4. What other suggestions would you offer parents for supporting their children’s education?

IMPLICATIONS

• Kids do need encouragement to complete their homework. Some young people are self-motivated, but most need some support.
• Youth workers can provide the same help that parents do, if parents are unable or unwilling to be involved in their child’s homework.
• Youth workers can help parents understand the educational needs of their children by offering the listed hints.
• In your own youth group, you can assign homework that stimulates parent/youth interaction, just as schools do.

Kathryn Q. Powers cCYS