The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 15, 2008 - 21 Educational Survey Findings: Asking for homework support can make all the difference A new school year is fast approaching and, once again, homework will become a nightly activity. However, according to a recent survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid for Kumon Math and Reading Centres, if parents take the time now to teach their child to proactively ask for homework support, it can help them improve academic performance and enjoy a more rewarding homework experience. According to responses from more than 1,200 Canadian parents, more than half of the children who actively engage their parents in homework support perform at an average to above average level at school. Also, children who engage their parents in the homework process enjoy more dynamic support. From monitoring homework progress (75 percent) to discussing the assignment (75 percent), these children are turning a once tedious and stressful task into an interactive, two-way dialogue about learning, creating a more rewarding and enriching homework experience. Parents can help by demonstrating an interest in their child's homework, and offering support, not by completing assignments, for their child. Here are some key tips ·Know the school's homework policy. Ask about the kinds of assignments students are expected to complete, the anticipated length of time it takes to complete assignments, and the expectations for parent involvement. ·Establish a routine for homework completion. This means determining a regular time each day in a distractionfree environment with all of the tools and resources at hand, such as pens, pencils, paper, ruler, scissors, and a dictionary. ·Reinforce good study habits at home. Help your child to structure his or her time before assignments are due. Discuss the steps that are required and map it out with respect to the amount of time it will take to complete the assignment. ·Be available to provide support to your child. If you are not available, ensure that someone is available and follow up with your child by asking about his or her homework. ·Coach your child. Rather than telling him or her what to do, provide guidance through the task with questions, such as "What do you know how to do?" and "What do you need my help with?" ·If your child is having trouble getting started, provide some assistance. Have him or her choose a question that they know how to do. Do the first question, fill in the first blank or read the first paragraph together. Ask if he or she can do the second one alone and reassure your child that you'll be available to help if there are any further stumbling blocks. ·Check your child's completed assignment for completeness before it is submitted, as well as for the kind of feedback provided by the teacher once the homework has been returned. Talk to your child about his or her satisfaction with the results and what he or she might do differently next time. - News Canada Fun and Rewarding! Help a child thrive at school. Be a volunteer Open House: Monday Oct. 27 at 7:30pm Open House: Monday Oct. 27 at 7:30pm homework club supervisor. 905.339.2355 Come October 27th to hear more about Come on on October27th to hear more about an an exceptional private Christian education your child exceptional private Christianeducation forfor your child , Oakville, Ontario L6J 7T1 905-829-8048 The world is calling her name. She'll be ready. 2 p.m. ST. MILDRED'S-LIGHTBOURN SCHOOL e | | mls.on.ca