Helping your child with homework

Why are we more impatient with our own children? Try these tips, courtesy of about.com

• Set goals with not for your child. Then focus on one at a time.
• Make your child aware of his or her improvement. Reward achievement.
• Direct praise to the task at hand.
• Try not to show disappointment if your child doesn't do as well as you'd like.
• Be enthusiastic. Show humor.
• Be prepared to teach as well as help.
• Use concrete, hands-on materials whenever possible, especially with younger children.
• Help your child build associations between what she knows and what she is learning.
• Provide adequate practice to facilitate overlearning.
• Provide variety. Switch from one subject to another and take breaks to keep up attention.
• Encourage creative thinking. This is an opportunity your child may not be getting at school.
• Encourage independence.
• Take every opportunity to build your child's self-esteem.
• Show a positive attitude toward your child's school and teacher. Work with the teacher not against her.