The Internet is full of lists of homework tips for parents that focus on setting up the environment and managing behavior. The one aspect of helping children with homework that is rarely addressed is “how”. How do I help my child to memorize those spelling words? How do I help him or her to comprehend what is read? How do I help the child with that paper he/she has to write. Parents often end up frustrated and feeling ineffective because they don’t know how to help their children to be successful. This is especially true of parents with children who have learning difficulties.

Recent scientific research has confirmed that we all have different learning preferences and that we all learn best with different strategies.  Brain research has shown that regardless of learning style, we all process information in specific ways. 

For example, here are some of my favorite (and very easy) strategies: 

* Have children print information to be memorized.
* Border key spelling words, people, places, etc.
* Have children use two colors when working alternating the color of each fact they are writing in their notes.

(Color makes facts stand out as unique.   If all notes are in one color, nothing stands out as unique and is therefore harder to remember.)

*  Highlight important information, not EVERYTHING.
* Alternate color gel pens, markers, crayons, etc.

Here’s a strategy for studying vocabulary words:

Vocabulary Study Strategy
1. Choose a vocabulary word.
2. Print it on one side of a “flash” card. (Use index cards, heavy paper cut into strips, etc.)
3. Ask your child to tell you what he or she thinks it means so that it draws from what your child already knows.
4. Reinforce the correct definition.
5. Print the definition on the other side of the “flash” card.
6. Stand and act out a movement for the word while spelling it aloud three times!

Start the process over with the next word on the spelling or vocabulary list.

If your child’s teacher requires that he or she write the words three times each in cursive, ask the teacher if your child can write the word two times in cursive and one time printed on a flash card. Explain that you are better able to help your child with flash cards. Some children will not mind writing the words four times each. My children, however, objected to the extra work and even insisted, “But the teacher says I have to do it THIS way!” So, I made a deal with the teacher to have one set of words on flash cards and the teacher told my child that it was Okay.


Parents might want to “Look inside this book: Please Help Me with My Homework! Strategies for Parents and Caregivers” at  http://tinyurl.com/3626nf.The book provides the reader with simple, proven tools to help children increase academic performance and make the homework experience more rewarding and productive. It can seriously reduce homework stress.Smooth Homeworking!