Set Up a Study Area
To do homework successfully, your child must have a place in which to work.  The study area must be well-lit, quiet, and have all necessary supplies.

Help your child choose a location at home in which homework will be done.

Even if your child does most homework at another location after school, there still should be a place in the home in which he or she can study.

Remember that your child does not need a lot of space to do homework.  Either the kitchen table or a corner of the living is fine, as long as it is quiet during homework time.

Whenever possible, keep the study area off limits to brothers and sisters during homework time.

Praise your child when he or she does homework in the study area.

  Create a Homework Survival Kit
One of the keys to getting homework done is having the supplies needed in one place.

A Homework Survival Kit, containing all the supplies needed to do homework, will also free you from last minute trips to the store for folders, paper, tape, and other needed items.

If your child does homework at a location other than home (such as the library or an after school care program) make sure that his or her homework supplies are available there.

Respect your child's Homework Survival Kit.  Don't use these supplies for other family needs.

Give Homework Survival Kit materials as gifts.  A dictionary, for example, is a special present that a child will use over and over again.

  These are the most important supplies your child will need.  Try to obtain them as soon as possible.  Your child will need this Homework Survival Kit throughout the school year to do his or her best work on homework assignments.  Add additional home learning supplies as they are needed or as you see fit.  Agree with your child that it is his or her responsibility to remind you when any of the Homework Survival Kit materials are getting low and need replacing.

  Schedule Daily Homework Time
Help your child develop good homework habits by encouraging him or her to start home learning at the same time each day.  By scheduling a special time for homework, you will also ensure that it is done at a time when you are available to assist your child should he or she need help.

Remind your child each day when he or she it to do homework.

Select a time when you or another responsible adult will be available to assist your child.

Try to schedule the same homework time for all of your children.  This will make it more convenient for you to be available.

Praise your child each time homework is done appropriately!

  Encourage Your Child to Work Independently
Homework teaches children responsibility.  Through homework, children practice skills they must develop if they are to grow into independent, motivated, successful lifelong learners.  How to follow directions, how to begin and complete a task, and how to manage time are some of the skills your child will be practicing when doing homework.

Be positive should you need to help your child.  Remember, they are Second Graders and "Works in Progress."

By encouraging your child to work independently, you are helping to develop these important life skills.

Praise your child when he or she does the homework independently.

  Motivate Your Child With Praise
Children need encouragement and support from the people whose opinions they value the most, their parents.

Your consistent praise can increase your child's self esteem and confidence.

Motivate him or her to do the best work possible.  We are striving to always do our Personal Best at school the year!