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18 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 7, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com EDUCATION IN OAKVILLE Help your child with these homework tips for mom and dad For many parents, a difficult parenting lesson is deciding how much to help their children with their homework. While children need to learn things on their own, no parent wants to see their child struggle in school. That can make for a difficult dilemma for many parents, one that many of the nation's educators recognize and understand. The National Education Association (NEA) points out that helping your child too much can prove harmful, as a teacher needs to know where your son or daughter could possibly be faltering in the hopes of rectifying the situation. Perhaps the most helpful thing a parent can do, according to NEA, is to place a strong emphasis on homework, asking to see your child's work after they're finished and letting them know how important homework is. TIPS FOR PARENTS: · Make sure your child is well-rested, and fed and attends school each day. It's important that your child knows how beneficial school is, so letting your son or daughter skip school on a regular basis is never a good idea. Also, your child is more likely to do his best if he's gotten the right amount of sleep and has eaten well. · Get specific. Make asking about school and how your child's day was part of your daily routine. Ask the specifics and let your child give his opinion. · Set up a study area in your home, if possible. This area should be quiet, well-lit and stocked with all the supplies your child might need. It's best if this area is used solely for studying, so your child will know that the area is not for play or just hanging around. For those who might feel their quarters are a bit cramped, it's important to note this doesn't have to be a separate room, just an area where your child can study in peace and quiet. · Establish a family quiet time. Having a daily quiet time in your home will let your child know that homework is important and that you expect them to be doing some every day. · Know everyone learns in different ways. Not every child learns in the same way. Let your child learn in the way that he or she is most comfortable, as kids far more likely to do well that way. (MS) Goals: An important learning tool for life As an adult, you may have distinct long- and short-term goals. Perhaps you want to own a home, retire by the time you're 55 or make a health-conscious decision like quitting smoking. Establishing goals is a good way to realize what you want to accomplish and set out to attain it. Goals are equally important for children. Goal-setting and motivation go hand in hand, say experts. By helping children create reasonable goals so they can make attempts to realize them, you can help set the groundwork for kids to be productive individuals for life. "Learning how to set and achieve a goal is perhaps the single most important thing your child can learn to prepare for school, for adulthood and for future employment," says Gary Ryan Blair, founder of National Kids' Goal Setting Week (November 6-10, 2006). "The more adept your child is at understanding this important life skill, the more options he or she will have throughout life." Continued on Page 32 21st Century Learning Equation Mac Students + SMARTboard Instruction = sophisticated, competent problem solvers EDUCATING TODAY FOR THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW OPEN HOUSE Saturday Feb. 10th, 2007 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Come and experience our leading edge teaching practices using 21st century technology An independent day school for girls from Junior Kindergarten to University Entrance. Book a tour now and/or join us at our Open House Saturday, February 10, 2007 10:00 am - 2:00 pm St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School 1080 Linbrook Road, Oakville, Ontario L6J 2L1 Tel: (905) 845-2386 Fax: (905) 845-4799 dcossitt@smls.on.ca · www.smls.on.ca