Back to School Tips from ABC Life Literacy Canada

School's starting back up, so it's time to start thinking about homework again. (And yes, even in Junior Kindergarten my G-Girl came home with the occasional project to work on!) Studies show that the more parent's get involved in their kids education the more their children's achievements in school improve.

ABC Life Literacy Canada offers ten tips on how to make homework part of your daily routine:

Understand your child’s style of learning – this will help you develop a personalized homework plan for your child.
Talk with your child’s teacher and be aware of their method of teaching. Help your child by using familiar terms and examples.
Provide a quiet, well-lit place with basic school supplies.
It’s not uncommon for kids to get overwhelmed with big assignments or projects. Help them break the project down into smaller steps. Work on pieces throughout the week and do the hard parts on the weekend.
Develop a daily routine by setting aside a specific time each day/evening for homework.
Teach your child to be independent. Offer to help them with difficult homework challenges, but then let them complete the remainder on their own.
If your child gets frustrated or distracted with their homework, allow them to take a short break. If this frustration continues, talk with your child’s teacher to determine if a tutor might be needed.
Don’t reserve learning to homework hour. Make learning a part of daily life.
To reinforce comprehension and memory skills, take 10 minutes to talk about the stories you’ve read together.
Show your child that the skills they are learning relate to real life. If your child is learning math, for example, balance your cheque book or have them count out change for you.

For other family literacy tips and activities, visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.