How Much Do You Help With Homework?by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 16 Jun 2009 05:21 AM School's out for the summer, which means kids are getting a break from mountains of homework. Only in some households, students aren't the only ones excited about the homework reprieve--parents are cheering too, especially the ones who regularly cross the line between parental involvement and parental takeover. Be honest; how many times have you completed your child's homework assignment (to spare yourself from hearing him whine, complain and belly-ache), rather than simply provide assistance to your frustrated child and let him finish the project by himself? A recent study shows that a "disturbing" amount of parents admit to being "overly involved" in their children's homework. Whether it's being the mastermind behind a school science project (one dad admitted to spending more than $3,000 to engineer his daughter's science fair entry) to simply taking over a homework assignment (one mother confessed to completing a math worksheet for her third grader in her own penmanship). To ensure that students are doing their work independently, some teachers have reduced homework, and increased classwork. Educators say doing so allows them to view children as they work and gives students the chance to ask questions if they need help. Experts note that not all parental help is bad. Younger children especially could use assistance with homework from time to time, and can benefit from a knowledgeable adult. However, experts say it's when overzealous parents go from assisting to completely taking over that problems start. "At some point, you have to let go," childhood experts advise. "The longer you rewrite, revise, build and glue for your child, the less likely they'll be able to do it on their own." What about you? Is your attempt at "helping" your child with his homework hindering his abilities and undercutting his self-confidence? Related Articles: Colorado Making it Easier to Support Kids in School Do You Punish Your Kids for Bad Grades? Are You a Teacher's Worst Nightmare? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanteducation tags User Comments Samual (11722) 16 Jun 2009 06:53 AMI would never do any homework for our children, if they find it difficult and can't do it, by doing it yourself you are preventing them from ever understanding, if a child doesn't do homework because they can't, then you can either help yourself or their teacher can help them in homework club and give them extra work so they can practice their new skill. It is always obvious when a students homework has been completed by their parent, if it is hand written you don't even have to read the piece to know, if typed you just look at the manner and style of the writing, nevermind the fact that normally a parent completed homework receives a grade nothing like what the student would normally get.  Michele Cheplic |
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