What To Do When Your Child Doesn't Understand the Homework
What To Do When Your Child Doesn't Understand the Homework
| By | Dr. Sam Goldstein |
| Dr. Sydney Zentall |
It is common for children to become frustrated when they don't have a clear understanding of the material presented in class or when homework is too difficult for them to master on their own. Confusion about assignments is a common reason for incomplete homework. When children are confused about homework they can either ask for help, struggle on their own and eventually find a solution, give up or avoid the assignment altogether. Confusion is more likely to occur during new tasks or when a new concept has been presented at school.
If your child dawdles over homework, one of the first things you should do is check to make sure the child understands the assignment. Sometimes we assume children are resistant when in fact they may be embarrassed to admit they are confused and ask for help.
Difficulty understanding homework is a common problem for children with learning disabilities. Parents of children with learning disabilities may have an even greater challenge in knowing how to effectively help their children. Many of these children require more practice before something new is learned. If you are a parent of a child with a learning disability you need to be patient and supportive. Keep in mind, however, that difficulty understanding and following directions are frequent problems for all students.
Investigate whether your child's problem is the result of confusion over what to do or how to do it. Talk to your child's teacher. If you find that the problem is a result of your child's confusion or that reflects poor abilitiy, it is essential that you and your child's teacher develop a system to communicate clearly and consistently about homework assignments. Such a system might include:
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Color coded homework folders to help remain organized (e.g., work going home goes in a green folder, work coming back in a red folder).
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Write homework assignments down using a colored pencil so that your child's teacher can quickly locate and review what has been written before your child leaves school.
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Ask the teacher to assign a homework buddy. At the end of a period or day your child and a buddy can make certain that they each understand the assignment and what must be done that evening. If there is disagreement they can seek clarification from the teacher.
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If understanding written assignments is a problem, try other forms of communication. For instance, reduce the information by using highlighters to underline the important parts.
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Consider the possibility that your child's difficulty understanding directions for homework may be part of a larger problem related to a learning disability. When the problem persists, seek a screening from a school or community based professional.
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Consider that the same problems that cause your child to experience difficulty understanding homework instructions may also impair his or her ability to follow instructions in other situations in class. This may include taking tests. Your child may require direct instruction to learn effective test taking skills and listening strategies.
