Should you sit and help your child with their homework every day?
The answer is no.
While it’s natural to want to assist your child, excessive parental involvement can inadvertently hinder their development of independence and problem-solving skills, and could lead to learned helplessness.
Homework is primarily the child’s responsibility. To foster self-reliance, encourage a consistent daily routine for completing assignments without constant parental oversight.
If your child is struggling with their work, guide them towards seeking clarification from their teacher. This approach helps them develop essential communication and problem-solving skills.
Remember, you’re not their teacher. By empowering them to take ownership of their learning, you’re setting them up for future success.
Foundation Phase
Primary schools – Foundation Phase (Grades 1 – 3)
- Virtually all schools expect a learner to do homework. Learners are given homework books which they need to take home every day.
- Parents I expected to sign these books confirming that the child has done the homework.
- Many parents are under the impression that they need to set with their children while homework is being done. This is not the case.
The following is a guideline regarding the parent’s role in supervising their child’s homework.
Grades 1 to 3 (Senior Primary)
- Learners from grades 1 to 3 usually have to do reading, maths, spelling,
Here are some rules for reading:
- A parent must not sit with a child and read. A child should practice the reading on their own and only ask the parent a question about a word that they do not understand, or can’t pronounce.
- Parents are advised to set a certain time, either before or after supper when they will be available to listen to their child read. A quiet place is important where there are no distractions.
- Parents need to make it clear to the child that when the child is reading they are not allowed to make more than two mistakes per page. Not being able to pronounce a word, or read the word properly is regarded as a mistake. The moment a child makes more than two mistakes per page, explain to the child that they haven’t practised hard enough and that they are saying to you ‘mommy, I haven’t practised hard enough, I better go and practice some more.’
The child then goes off to her room and when she feels she is ready to be tested again, asks the mother when she can try again.
The parent needs to be very firm and consistent with this rule. Make sure that your child pronounces the words correctly and does not mumble.
By being firm, fair and consistent you’ll find that your child will start reading well within a short space of time.
They should be no exceptions and a child needs to understand that if they don’t try their best they are choosing to try harder until their parent is satisfied.
If a parent sticks with these rules and consequences for reading and ensures that they test their child at the same time every day, they will notice a significant change in the child’s attitude as well as their academic performance at school.
Rules for Spelling
Set out a time that suits you when testing your child’s spelling, preferably in a room that is quiet and where there are no distractions.
Rules for spelling are similar to those for reading. If a child has to learn 15 words for the spelling test, the rule is that if they make more than two mistakes while you are testing them, make them aware that they are saying to you ‘mommy, I haven’t been practising hard enough for my spelling and I better go and practice some more.’
Parents need to ensure that they are consistent with this rule and that there are no exceptional circumstances, even if the child has only made three spelling mistakes.
Your child will soon become aware that not making the effort the first time, by having to go and practice some more is wasting their own playing time.
As a parent, if you stick to this routine and follow through on the rules and consequences which have been set out, you will find a significant improvement in your child’s marks for spelling.
Maths
A child must sit alone and correctly do their maths homework every day. Practice makes perfect in a subject like maths.
Do not let a child ask you any questions like ‘mom, what six times four?’ They need to check for themselves.
When they have finished their maths homework, they bring it to you and you can check if they have done their maths correctly.
If it seems obvious that they do not understand the work does mean that they have not listened in class and are expecting the parent to help them do their maths.
The rule regarding maths when it is obvious that the child does not understand their work is that they need to go to the teacher the next day, tell the teacher that they do not understand the work, and asked the teacher if the teacher will be prepared to help them.
Far too many learners these days are not performing well in maths. Many are taking a chance of not listening in class and expecting their parent to virtually teach them when they get home.
Under no circumstances must parents do a child’s maths homework for them, and if you stick to the guidelines mentioned above, supervise the efforts and ensure that you follow through on the consequences, you should see a marked improvement in your child’s work.
Grades 4 to 7 (Senior Primary)
Ensure that your child brings their homework book home every day. No excuses for leaving it at school. Consequences for leaving a homework book at school should be spelt out before and could include no screen time that evening.
If there is a reoccurrence, no privileges such as PlayStation or other digital devices for the rest of the week.
Pre-empt all the above conditions and the consequences for all transgressions and ensure that she understands
If your child is writing a test, make yourself available to test him on what he has learnt.
If your child request helps on a project, make yourself available to set out a timeline for her before the closing date of the project.
Sign the homework book once you are satisfied that all the homework is completed.
By fostering independence with these homework strategies, you’re helping your child develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond, such as self-reliance and decision-making.
