Like most parents I get a kick out of seeing my children learn, so it's natural to support them with homework, even if it is 17 years since I left school.
A recent Netmums survey found almost one in three parents think their children's homework is '"a bit of a chore and just another thing to get done in the busy evenings". The poll also reveals that many parents are stumped by what their children are asked to do. Four in ten admit to being 'completely baffled' by a piece of work, with almost half saying they find maths the most difficult subject to help with.
As the number-phobic mum of a little girl who has maths abilities beyond her years, I know I'm going to need help, so I decided to do a little research. In March this year in an article entitled Parents struggle to help with homework the Guardian included a quote from Justine Roberts of Mumsnet, who said that mothers and fathers "can actually do more harm than good because you can confuse them by teaching them in a completely different way to the way their teachers teach them".
But what's the alternative?
My tips for keeping up with the kids
- Get your child to teach you the formula they use. This will reinforce their learning and be a great confidence boost. It can also highlight any areas they are struggling with.
- Find out if your school offers any programmes for parents, either themselves or through a local college. I wrote about my own experience in April, Do you know how your child is learning to read? and I already have my name down for the maths course.
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Search UK internet pages for sites aimed at our national curriculum. Try terms such as:
Skills for life
Primary Homework support
key stage one/key stage two homework support
Family learning
The names of local colleges and education centres in your area - For a quick refresher go to BBC Skillswise This site offers fact sheets, games, puzzles and quizzes with both traditional and newer methods, and is a really good resource for homework.
- Use the same sites your children use at school. Ask their teacher which ones they recommend. I know my two use BBC Bitesize, and both have recently been given a password for Mathletics so that they can access it at home.
The main thing is, if you need help, ask. Isn't that what we always tell our kids to do? And if you have any good tips or links, please please add them below. I have a feeling I'm going to need all the help I can get.
Or, are you completely against homework altogether? We'd love to know your views.
Useful links:
Netmums homework
Parent Centre
Parent Link
Skills for Life
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9 Comments
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mum
09 September, 2010
I know when IJ gets to Year 6 and beyond I will probably struggle to help her with her homework (maybe even before then). I like your suggestion to ask what formula they use, Jo. We love BBC Bitesize too.
I wrote about some child-friendly resources and internet sites for homework here:
http://readyforten.com/users/RFTrosie/posts/1099-using-the-internet-for-homework-child-friendly-resources-and-sites
admin
09 September, 2010
A timely post Jo. My little girl is just in Year 1, and it's not the content of the homework I struggle with, but it's finding time between 3.30pm when we get home, and 5.00pm when they have dinner.
Because I have two younger boys to keep amused and the fact that we eat early, then it's bath and bedtime routine from 6.00pm onwards. When A gets home she's exhausted and needs/likes a little down time, then it's time to start preparing dinner. We had been doing her reading at bedtime, but as her books become a little more challenging for her, she's too tired by then to be able to give it her full attention. Would love some advice on how other parent with younger children at home fit it all in to the afternoons/evenings.
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
09 September, 2010
That's great Rosie. I missed that one. I am now awaiting my first Maths lesson from Miss E. Gulp.
09 September, 2010
Leigh me too. I have one in year one and one in year six so both have different needs and need support with what they're doing. As a single mum I'm cooking the dinner, doing the homework, getting Miss M to bed and trying to spend time with Miss E.
Homework is often a real chore to us and Miss E actually found it really stressful last year so I'm holding my breath and keeping everything crossed. She had some pretty heavy homework over the summer though so I'm not too hopeful, gulp!
09 September, 2010
If I don't know the answers to my child's homework we go on a learning quest together. It is great fun!
I can't help but think that the Guardian should have asked Justine Roberts child for a comment as they would have received a better answer. What a ridiculous statement to make!
10 September, 2010
Spencer that sounds perfect, we d that too. I kind of get what Justine Roberts meant, but some help is definitely better than not helping at all because you're worried about confusing them. I love that BBC Skillswise has traditional and newer methods. I feel much more confident about being able to help Miss M now, and I get what Miss E is doing.
mum
10 September, 2010
My eldest is now in year 10 and to be honest my heart sinks when she comes home with maths! Luckily the school runs an online maths blog with the teachers helping out - more schools should definitely do this! Otherwise I tend to check out the topic on Wikipedia and then have a look at the BBC sites, just as you suggest.
14 September, 2010
I do imagine many parents could do more harm than good, partiularly if the question is ambiguous, which they sometimes are.
18 September, 2010
Alice that blog sounds fabulous. I can't imagine keeping up with Miss E by year 10!!
Jackie the ambiguous ones are the worst. I recently had to help my 10 year old make a decision about why a sentence in a short passage was ironic. I couldn't even decide and I have an English degree. Mad!