For Homework tips to make the process more efficient and less painful, try using the three S’s: schedule, space, and support.

Schedule – How to create a homework schedule 

It’s helpful to establish good habits and a regular homework routine right from the start. You know your child best, so customize the timing by asking the following questions:

• Are they best suited to tackle their work right after school, before they get caught up in their free time activities? For example, once they get rolling on something fun, will it be a huge battle to transition them back into a school mindset?
• Would they benefit from a bit of time to decompress and regroup first? Maybe they need to refuel with a healthy snack or chat for a few minutes to resolve any worries from the school day.
• Since dinner is a regular part of the evening, could the homework routine be structured around that? Could schoolwork be completed while dinner is being prepared or immediately after eating?
• How can you effectively allocate homework time around extra-curricular commitments, such as music lessons, activities or sports?

Whatever time slot you choose, focus on quality, not quantity. Encourage your child to mentally lock into the “homework zone” and give a solid effort for an age-appropriate amount of time. Fifteen focused minutes are far better than an hour of moping and complaining. Identify your child’s learning style and try the corresponding strategies to keep them engaged.

As with any task, leaving it to the last minute is guaranteed to cause unwanted panic and stress. Conduct a daily “backpack check” where you and your child unpack everything (water bottle, lunch container, library books, permission forms, planner/agenda, homework pages, etc.) and identify any time-sensitive items. Be diligent about repeating tasks, like a weekly reading log submitted on Fridays.

Space – Creating a designated homework space

If possible, designate a workspace or “homework station” for your child (Today’s Parent has some tips to get you started).

Pre-stock the work area with all the necessary supplies: paper, pencils, highlighters, headphones, a calculator, and so on. This bypasses the need to get up and root around to find “the perfect pencil” (or whatever other delay tactic they can invent).

Location is an essential factor, as you want to limit distractions, interruptions and background noise as much as possible. Older students may be able to work independently in a separate room, while younger kids may need more support and monitoring.

Speaking of monitors, today’s homework may reside on a computer rather than an old-fashioned piece of paper. The problem is kids mainly associate electronic devices with recreational functions like games, cartoons, video clips and internet surfing. It is extremely tempting for them to click out of their fill-in-the-blanks social studies slides and open something far more entertaining.

Here are a few strategies to teach screen time management:

• Set a timer to designate a certain number of minutes as “school screen time” only. If the work is completed correctly in the allotted time frame, another timer will be set with a reward of “recreational screen time.”
• Consider having designated locations for the two different purposes — for example, sitting at the kitchen table with the laptop to complete their science questions, then moving to the couch to watch an episode of their favourite show.
• If you’re concerned that your child is spending time on other websites during homework time, privately check the device’s browser history.
• Set up your child’s device in a common area of the house, with your child’s back turned and the screen facing toward you, so you have a clear sightline as you walk by or perform other tasks.

Support – Provide support with homework when needed

Many free online resources help kids (and parents!) navigate subject-specific homework. We’ve got a helpful round-up of them to save you some time. As your child learns how to use a search engine, guide them towards reputable sources, such as well-known news publications, magazines, encyclopedias, or universities.

The best source of information, however, is your child’s teacher. At the start of the year, add his or her contact information to your phone. Reach out if you have questions about homework expectations, especially if your child has specific needs or accommodations.

Many teachers now use a virtual learning platform or online classroom to post homework and updates. Here are some tips to avoid technical glitches:

• Bookmark the site and write your child’s login and password information on a sticky note displayed in a prominent spot. That way, even babysitters or caregivers can get access if needed.
• For major assignments, don’t take your child’s word for it — visit the site yourself and view the teacher’s instructions. From there, you’ll be better equipped to help your child break the project down into phases (research, note-taking, rough copy, good copy, etc.).
• Take note of important due dates or upcoming tests and add them to the family calendar.
• If your household experiences a technology problem — for example, an internet outage or an unexpectedly empty printer ink cartridge — send an apologetic note with your child the next day or contact the teacher directly.

Overall, try to stay positive and patient yourself. Homework can be frustrating and annoying to kids, so parents need to provide calm encouragement. Avoid speaking negatively about the teacher or the assignment. If you and your child feel overwhelmed, take a short break and return to it with your full attention, rather than trying to multi-task.

Homework doesn’t have to be a dirty word. Set realistic expectations and keep an open mind — especially when presented with an unfamiliar new way of solving or “modeling” a math equation. In those situations, you and your child are both learning something!

For more School Tips check out our back-to-school hub! 

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Due to the pandemic and summer vacation, your child may not have been in a traditional school environment or had to “buckle down” to do a legitimate amount of schoolwork in several – or many – months. As the academic expectations and homework assignments return, here are some tips and strategies to help keep motivation levels high:

1. Find a subject or topic that interests them.

If you can ignite passion, you can ignite learning. All parents want their kids to find things that truly interest them – but we need to let them be individuals and make their own discoveries. Katie Hurley, author of The Happy Kid Handbook, points out: “When parents support instead of push, kids find their passions and interests and learn to follow their own paths toward success and happiness.”

With this in mind, ask your kids about the things they’re doing, reading and watching. If their eyes light up when they’re describing something, pay extra attention and try to help coax that spark into a full-fledged flame. Expose them to a variety of different experiences in hopes that they’ll connect with something that is meaningful to them.

2. Stay one step ahead.

Parent involvement and enthusiasm are a major factor in a child’s learning – especially since many homes have had to become makeshift school environments.

Take a few minutes to proactively log in to your child’s online learning account or classroom blog and get a sneak peek at upcoming activities or assignments. You’ll be better prepared to guide him through the task and defuse any frustration that might bubble up. If the class is doing a novel study, pre-read the book so you can casually discuss it, pointing out surprising moments, characters you like or dislike, and so on.

3. Promote reading of any kind.

A love of reading opens kids’ minds and sets them up for success in academics and beyond. Shared reading experiences are powerful at a young age, so set aside a daily time to read together.

To inspire independent reading in older kids, seek out options that will appeal specifically to them. Your young reader may eagerly dive in to a popular novel series, be intrigued by non-fiction fact books, or gravitate to comic strip-style graphic novels. Embrace the notion that all reading is good reading, and be extra resourceful in your quest to put appealing content into her hands.

4. Identify your child’s learning style.

We all learn in different ways, so it’s worthwhile to figure out how your child learns best. This information will help you structure tasks accordingly and foster optimal study habits. While the three learning styles are interconnected, your child likely has a stronger tendency toward one of them:

• Visual – learns by watching. These students may be especially skilled at remembering names, places, and people.
• Auditory – learns by listening. They are attracted to sound and may be musically inclined.
• Kinesthetic – learns by doing. These “hands-on” types will count on their fingers and eagerly use manipulatives.

5. Set clear goals.

Goal setting encourages students to think about what they want to achieve and how they can achieve it. Goals should follow the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding and Time-bound). Consider using a goal-setting worksheet to break things down and identify the next steps.

6. Teach them how to focus.

Some youngsters have difficulty beginning a task and seeing it through to the end. Like any other skill, this takes practice. Here are a few hints to set them up for success:

• Find a space that is conducive to working productively. This means turning off screens and choosing a quiet, distraction-free zone.
• Do one thing at a time. Research has shown that multi-tasking reduces concentration and diminishes overall performance, since jumping between tasks causes a loss in momentum.
• Make a checklist. No one wants to feel overwhelmed, so create a to-do list and celebrate the sense of accomplishment when items are completed and crossed off.
• Take breaks. Be realistic about the length of time your child can persist on a single task, and mix in some “recess” type activities to get refreshed.

7. Use incentives appropriately.

Offering a small incentive (like extra playtime, a treat or a special privilege) may provide added motivation for reluctant students. Be warned, however, that if external prizes and bonuses are used repeatedly, they may lose their effectiveness. We also want kids to develop internal motivation, where the satisfaction of a job well done is its own reward.

8. Tap into high-quality online resources.

When used with care and purpose, educational websites, apps and online games can be useful tools to engage young learners. Many sites also have a “For Parents” section with free printables and other resources. Here are some recommendations:

• Education.com – games can be selected by grade (kindergarten to grade 5) or subject (math, reading/writing, typing and coding).
• PBS Kids – featuring popular characters from shows like Super Why, Sesame Street and Curious George.
• Starfall – teaches preschoolers and kindergarteners their ABCs and 123s with simple, colorful activities.
• Prodigy – elementary students (grades 1 to 8) will embark on an exciting multi-world quest and practice math skills at the same time.

9. Practice organization skills.

Organized students are confident ones, since they have what they need to learn effectively. For youngsters, simple tasks like matching socks or sorting toys by category can promote this type of thinking. To teach older kids to take charge of their schedule and belongings, use visual aids such as calendars, checklists and labels.

10. Embrace a growth mindset.

Individuals with a growth mindset believe that abilities and talents can be enhanced through hard work. Kids need to hear that struggles and mistakes are okay, because that’s how we get feedback and make improvements. Work with your child to turn something negative (like a sub-par result on a quiz or test) into a positive step forward (identifying the gaps in his knowledge and reviewing the relevant material). If your child is a Star Wars fan, feel free to quote Yoda in The Last Jedi: “The greatest teacher, failure is.”

Once the initial back-to-school adjustment period has passed, the focus will naturally shift back to learning. By using the strategies described above, you and your child will be ready to pick up where you left off.

The post 10 Ways to Get Your Child Excited to Learn appeared first on The Mabelhood.

After all, the reason IEPs (Individual Education Plans) exist is because our kids have atypical learning needs. In my daughter’s case, she has fewer milestones to hit and more resources and time to hit them. This might sound like it makes things easier, but when you factor in the disabilities she and students like her have (such as dyslexia, working memory issues, processing deficits, dyscalculia and ADHD), teaching becomes a challenge that can easily frustrate and overwhelm parents like me.

In my experience, nothing can replace the expertise of a trained professional – someone who has the skills and experience our kids need. But if your access to these educators has disappeared or become limited, you can still find resources that will help you feel better about supporting your child’s learning. Here are a few:

General Support

Help for parents of kids with LDs, including links to blogs and books

Life success for students with Learning Disabilities: a Parent’s Guide

Parent resources for building math skills at home: video with transcript and free download from LD At Home

15 suggestions for challenging education’s status quo and becoming your child’s best advocate

Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner: a book by Kathy Kuhl

Smart But Scattered: the Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential: a book by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare.

Online Learning Resources

12 websites for children with Learning Disabilities: reading and math

Personalized exercises to help students K-2 develop skills in phonics, word recognition and comprehension

Empower Reading: a series of reading intervention programs designed by SickKids Hospital

Four levels of expertly developed decodable books that motivate young learners and help them read and think about texts

A list of literacy apps for children with dyslexia, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder

A list of apps that address foundational skills, increase social, emotional and organizational skills

AAA Math, recommended for students with dyscalculia, removes the frustration associated with difficult concepts like division, ratios and graphing

Recommended by dyscalculia.org (an organization dedicated to the advancement, understanding and treatment of learning disabilities in math) this list of apps and tools can help students develop key skills.

ADHD-focused Resources

Sample schedule and resources for elementary-level learners with ADHD

Virtual parent support group for children with ADHD (members only, memberships start at $10)

A 3-step plan to help your child develop useful study and organization habits

26 of the best ADHD homework strategies (free download)

10 tips for boosting executive function 

There are few things harder than watching your child struggle, especially if you feel powerless to help them. So cut yourself some slack and remember: you don’t have a teaching degree and you’re not expected to know how to do this. We’re all just doing our best. Focus on relationships instead of routines and results, and you’ll get through this.

The post Resources for Parents of Kids With ADHD and Learning Disabilities appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Does your child have a goal for this school year? It may be to get a higher grade in math, read a popular book series independently, or participate more frequently in class discussions. To help get the ball rolling, we’ve got tips and strategies to guide your child through goal setting.

1. Empower him/her to choose the goal.

If your child sets a goal for himself and genuinely commits to it, he’s more likely to be motivated to see it through to the end. A well-established goal setting tool is the SMART acronym, which states that goals should be:

Specific: Can he define the precise details of the goal?
Measurable: How will he know if progress is being made, or when the goal is reached?
Attainable: The end result should be something he can realistically accomplish.
Realistic: Are his personal desires connected to the goal?
Time-bound: What is the target end date?

2. Figure out the “why”.

To make sure a goal is meaningful, discuss it with your child and listen closely to her responses. You can ask questions like “Why do you want to go after this goal?” or “When you achieve this, how do you think you will feel?” Saying the reasons out loud will reinforce her belief that it is something worth pursuing.

3. Create a plan.

Big goals can seem intimidating if they’re not broken down into manageable components. Brainstorm with your child and list the steps that will be required. For example, if the goal is to be on time for school every day, write up a morning schedule that identifies every task (wake up, get dressed, have breakfast, and so on) and allocates a specific amount of time to each one.

4. Measure results.

Your child needs to see that he is moving closer to his goal. One approach is to record quantitative data – for example, writing down the number of silent-reading minutes he completes each day. Another approach is a visual tracking chart, such as a calendar where a big check mark is added if he remembers to pack everything in his school bag. Whatever tracking system you use, make it highly visual and post it where it can be frequently reviewed and admired.

5. Make adjustments.

Your child may set a goal that seemed do-able at the time, but circumstances can (and will) change. This is okay. Goals can be flexible, especially if your child is on the right track. She may simply need extra time or added support to get there. Anticipate potential obstacles so that you and your child can respond and re-evaluate the goal, if necessary.

6. Celebrate wins.

When your child reaches a goal, it’s a big deal. Celebrate his accomplishment, and be sure to praise him along the way, too. Recognize his ongoing efforts, along with any short-term gains. To encourage feelings of inner pride, make comments like: “Wow, you must feel really good that you did what you set out to do.”

7. Respect the journey.

Not every goal is successfully achieved. Even if your child doesn’t reach her goal, she has likely learned valuable lessons from the experience. Avoid simplistic notions of success and failure, and instead take a big-picture view. Has your child improved since the initial goal was set? If yes, that is positive progress. And, if the experience has taught her to dream big, try new things and persevere through challenges, then you’ve reached your goal.

…

The post 7 Tips to Help Kids Set and Achieve Goals appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Khan Academy

This non-profit organization says its mission is to provide “free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” Clicking on the ‘Courses’ tab literally fills the screen with grade-specific resources for math, science, language, computing, test prep, life skills, and more.

Learn To Be

This U.S.-based site provides free, one-on-one tutoring for kindergarten to grade 12 students, in subjects like reading, writing, math, and science. Students interact with a volunteer tutor via the organization’s website, using audio/video chat plus tech tools such as digital chalkboards.

Fact Monster

Here, a cute blue monster named Frank offers to help with homework and facts. Browse the user-friendly site to find content on topics such as math, science, language arts, U.S. geography, and history.

Your public library’s website

Your local library may have online or in-person resources to help with homework, tech skills or learning a new language. Many libraries also have partnerships with Tutor.com, providing free access to its resources.

Your child’s teacher

Hands down, the most valuable advice about your child’s learning progress will come directly from his or her teacher. If your child needs added practice or support in a specific subject area, the teacher can steer you to the right resources. Your child’s class may already have a subscription to an educational website like Studyladder, Dreambox, Prodigy, Xtramath or Knowledgehook – all of which provide engaging and motivating opportunities to practice math and language skills. The teacher may also recommend other programs offered within the school, such as individual reading support.

Keep in mind that every student is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you try using an educational website and it doesn’t “click” with your child, that’s okay. Try another site or ask around to family and friends about resources that have proved helpful to them.

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