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Whenever I start a sentence with the words, “Tonight’s homework is...” I know it will be met with moaning and groaning. I am never surprised by my students’ attitude toward extra assignments. In fact, I can even sympathize with them. After all, they have been cooped up in my classroom all day doggedly working sums and sounding out new words. It seems almost cruel to ask them to fill up their after school hours with more work.

More surprising to me than my students’ outcry is the number of parents that join in with their complaints. All too often I hear parents telling me that homework is too much work for them, or they feel like they are being asked to do the teacher’s job. Unfortunately, this mindset hinders the opportunity parents have to show their children that they care about their education.

As a teacher, I have found that when parents become involved in their children’s schoolwork, their children do significantly better in school. Perhaps the best way you can actively involve yourself in your child’s education is through homework. So how can a parent optimize their children’s learning experience without jeopardizing their own sanity?

Understand the Purpose of Homework
Understanding the purpose of homework is essential. Homework is simply an extension of the work students are doing in class. It is meant to reinforce what they have learned by giving them an opportunity to practice and apply newly acquired knowledge outside of the classroom. As a bonus, it also teaches children valuable life lessons about discipline and responsibility. By overseeing your children’s homework, you have a direct window to see what your child is learning every day. Remember, homework is meant to review material already learned and should never be used to introduce new concepts. If you feel that this is happening, it is important to talk to your child’s teacher.