Helping with Home Learning

Home learning is an expectation for our students.  The nature of the activities will vary, so it is best to discuss expectations with your child’s teacher. All educators agree that reading is the most valuable home learning a child can do and should become a daily habit.  Parents can help children develop sound study habits from a young age, which includes establishing a predictable routine, encouraging effective use of time and helping them to be organised. There will be no new content given for home learning across P-5- it will be work that has been taught in class. The following routines can assist families to create effective home learning environments.

• Establish a predictable routine. If home learning is done at the same time each night, getting started is usually less of an issue.
• Make home learning time as enjoyable as possible. When sharing a book, make yourself comfortable, be involved in the story and enjoy yourself.
• Establish a good working environment for students.  Make sure they have a quiet area (away from distractions) that is well lit and with good ventilation. A table or a desk makes a good workspace.
• Encourage children to work reasonably quickly and efficiently. Have a set time limit which they should stick to. A little work each night is more productive than packing it all into one weekly session.
• Encourage children to become organised by planning home learning around their extracurricular activities. A weekly planner or diary will help older students to organise themselves.
• Keep explanations simple and practical when helping a child. If they become upset or frustrated and the atmosphere becomes tense, stop helping.
• If your child has a problem, talk about the best way to find a solution. Perhaps between the two of you it can be worked out.
• Be realistic and don’t expect to solve all home learning difficulties.  When in doubt, send a note to your child’s teacher letting him/her know the problem.  They will appreciate being informed.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Teaching and Learning K-5