SUGGESTIONS Helping pupils

Want to help your children with their homework? Duke University's Harris Cooper, whose research into homework has involved more than 700 students, their parents and teachers, offers these suggestions:
Be a stage manager. Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lighted place to do homework. Make sure the needed materials (paper, pencils, etc.) are available.
Be a motivator. Homework provides a great opportunity for you to tell your child how important school is. Be positive about homework. The attitude you express will be the attitude your child acquires.
Be a role model. When your child does homework, don't sit and watch TV. If your child is reading, you read, too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook. Help your child see that the skills they are practicing are related to things you do as an adult.
Be a monitor. Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration. If your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. If frustration sets in, suggest a short break.
Be a mentor. When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it. If homework is meant to be done alone, stay away. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills. Over-involvement can be a bad thing.