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Help on homework: A Parents dilemma

"Wanting" and "Getting" help on homework

Children often complain about not wanting to go to school. The first thought may be that they are lazy and just want to play. Many kids just want to have fun, not study boring, useless subjects. It could also be a lack of passion about learning. Kids don't always understand the value of a good education.

Sometimes children fall behind and can't catch up. This leads to anxiety for parents, students, and caring teachers as well. Frustration and anxiety build at home. Getting help on homework is needed now!!

Key Sections

Knowing your childs learning style

Practical methods of using known strengths

Instilling the importance of education

Educational Quotes

Other Resources

Knowing your child's learning style

Understanding how your child learns best, will aid in getting the best possible help on homework. Grades can improve when study habits fit the personal learning style for a given child. Some students have difficulty with essay exams. Some have problems with remembering oral presentations but can do well with information that they have physically seen or handled. There are tools that can help overcome these tendencies.

What is your child's learning style? To determine this, it may require consultation with a professional counselor. There are, however, traits and characteristics that will indicate where strengths and weaknesses exist. The following are broad catagories that identify learning style:

Visual Learners

Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar.

Learn through seeing concepts spelled out in writing.
Having Visual, colorful diagrams that can be reviewed during quiet study time.
Likes flowcharts and outlines.
Needs ample review time to understand lectures.

Auditory Learners

These individuals learn best through hearing things. The following traits are typical of this type of learner:

Likes to get oral reports or information.
Someone who enjoys speaking in groups.
Remembers sounds and names.
Follows spoken directions well.
Reads slowly.
Can learn well in a discussion group.

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing/doing things. You may recognize some of these traits.

Someone who is active in sports.
Characteristed by needing to move around.
Does not have great handwriting.
Likes acting out situations.
Can't sit still during lectures.

The bottom line is: Parents can be the most effectively give help on homework by knowing their child's learning style and assist in their "teaching" at home. Training them to learn, explore, and build awareness on their own is the best goal.

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Practical methods of using known strengths

When a person knows where their strengths are, there are many techniques and tools to provide help on homework. Visual learners can make outlines from each course, get a diagram from the teacher, hilight or color code key points from text, or make detail notes of everything listed on classroom board.

An Auditory learner might record lectures, watch vidoes, participate in group discussions, or read text outloud. A Kinesthetic Learner, on the other hand, would be most apt to learn by studying in short blocks, taking lab classes, going on field trips, or using flash cards to memorize.

Provide environment and tools This can be one of the most important steps for providing help on homework. Other positive steps can be taken, but if this is neglected children still may not make academic progress.

Set up a study area that can be used consistently.
Provide dictionary, calculator, paper, pens and other necessities.
Allow for enough storage space so that things are easily accessed and found.
Area should be quiet and free from distractions such as TV and video games.
Work hard to maintain harmony in the home. Conflicts can block the learning process more than anything else.

The Homeschooling option Learning is a very individual process. Everyone learns in different ways and at different rates. The homeschooling option allows parents to evaluate their children and determine how to best tailor education. This allows homeschoolers to excel.

The curriculum can be custom designed to meet the needs of the student. Goals can be determined, competence more accurately measured, and allowance for kids to master a subject at their own pace. The parent can also observe and determine the child's learning style. This allows for providing help on homework and study techniques that will most beneficial. Flexible time schedules can also help families grow together and provide for opportunities for recreation and travel.

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Instilling the importance of education - Help child to understand "why"

Help on homework starts with motivation. Half the battle to get kids to embrace their studies is to get them to see the value of doing the work. Getting help on homework assignments will not benefit a child who does not want to try. Your children may say, "Why do we have to do this?" or "What good is this going to do me?". Below are some answers for the core subjects that all students need to take.

Importance of Education: History

History Helps Us Understand People of various nationalities. It allows us to find out about the influence of family life, religion, art, and technology in society and how the past impacts the present. As the world gets smaller, we rub shoulders with many people groups. History allows for understanding their customs and thought patterns.

We can also study how men and women worked through moral issues. How did their choices impact their lives and the future of their societies. Will we make the same mistakes? History can also encourage loyality and good citizenship through understanding what it took to build and maintain freedom or lifestyle.

Importance of Education: Math

Young children often don't understand why they need to learn math. Math skills can be applied to many real-life situations. Any everyday problem solving involving numbers or money requires some expertise. There are also many careers that rely heavily on mathematical computations. In addition, fields such as Agriculture, Law, Business, Psychology, and Music all rely on Math.

Parents can also connect with a professional working in a job that their child is interested in. Arrange a meeting with such a professional in order to see what math skills they use most often as part of their career. This will help your child understand how mathematics can be used in the real world.

Sometimes dislike of math does not spawn from misunderstanding its importance. Instead, it may come from experiencing mathematical problems. Keep alert when it comes to math work and skills. If it looks like your children are struggling with assignments, help them to learn the necessary skills. If you can't help yourself, look into tutoring, which is available online to accommodate busy families. With homework help, math will usually become less daunting.

Importance of Education: Science

Science provides for understanding nature, physical science, and how all life works. Having this knowledge helps prepare child and adults for decisions that impact everyday life. Sickness, health, and family issues require knowing about the human body and the world of medicine. Maintaining a safe environment is aided by a knowledge of how the world works around us.

The study of science requires critical thinking, testing, and measurement of results. This implies time, energy, and resolve for science students who may not be motivated. It is important to teach kids that science is important. Look for inovative ways to provide help with science homework is the key. The best help may be just having a parent show interest which in turn will help the child.

Importance of Education: English

English is essential for communicating with others in school and in society, and is basic to learning most other subjects. It develops skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students get experience expressing themselves creatively and to communicate well with others. It helps them share ideas, thoughts, and dreams. It gets things done in groups and in family structures. Just being able to read and comprehend well is a great help on homework.

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Educational Quotes

The following quotes on education are an encouragement to parents and kids alike to continue learning and growing.

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression. --Dr. Haim Ginott

My idea of education is to unsettle the minds of the young and inflame their intellects. --Robert Maynard Hutchins

Education would be much more effective if its purpose was to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they do not know, and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it. ~William Haley

Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves. --Abbé Dimnet

Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants. --John W. Gardner

Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. --Roger Lewin

Education is bitter but the fruit is sweet. --Agustin Marissa

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Definition of Education
The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

Final Thought

Getting help on homework may not be always needed. But the proper encouragement will give your child a chance to stay on track with learning. Be alert for what the student in your house is struggling with and patiently make needed adjustments.

Other "help on homework" resources...

The Home School Zone - Find Free Printable Flashcards featuring Beginner's Math, Spelling, Colors, Picture Words, First Clocks and Vocabulary plus games, quizzes, crafts and lots more for kids.

Maths Practice Primary and Elementary School Educational Software Young Einstein Mathematics educational maths software by Maths Practice P/L. Ideal for tutoring, classroom or home use. The educational software range covers the maths curriculum K-8, including several educational games.

www.learn4good.com -provides information on educational, employment & travel resources worldwide

Leaving Anxiety in Children | Returning to Common Stressors

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SBI!

Common stressors Sub-catagories:

Causes of Anxiety

  Pregnancy Stress
  School Pressures
  Overcoming fears
  Work vs. Family
  Sudden Job loss
  Moving Trauma
  Anxiety Symptoms
  Tight Budget
  Death of loved one