Homework time builds bonds

LEND A HAND. After a long day at school, the young ones need help with homework. Are you helping them with homework, writes ZUURAH KARUNGI.

After a long day of learning, teachers test children basing on what has been taught in class that day. This comes in form of homework. Annet Nakazibwe, a teacher, notes that this is one of the activities meant to get parents involved in their children’s class work.
“It is sad that some parents neglect helping their children with homework leaving all the work to children or other people at home,” Nakazibwe says. It is in exceptional cases, where a parent is not that educated that they will not take part in homework but will still be the ones to recommend someone to help their child.

Time to bond
Emmanuel Kakuba, a teacher at Nyakasura School, says homework creates a lasting parent-child bond. “The child will feel supported and will always remember their parents even when they are grown. It will also make them feel loved and will therefore be free to express themselves in case of any problem,” Kakuba says. He adds that it is a plus for the ever busy parents.

Child feels supported
Nakazibwe says your child will feel supported in their school work if you are actively involved in what they do.
“They will work harder not to disappoint you since you have been reading together. Children also love being given moral support and doing homework together will make them feel cared for and cherished,” she explains.
She notes that busy parents should try and get time to look at the child’s books as this will make children acountable in what they do. If you do not, they might do it carelessly in a bid to go about their leisurely business.

Evaluation
Patrick Akena, a guardian, explains that helping with homework enables him gauge how the child is performing in class. “I see the percentage at which the child responds to the questions since these are the things they are taught in class. In case the child is a bit slow, I look for where the fault is and I try to help or work with the teacher to help the child,” Akena says.

Show responsibility
Kakuba believes that helping with the child’s school work is a way to fulfil your responsibilities as a parent. Some parents stop at paying school fees for the child foregoing this role and leaving it to the maids and other people at home yet it is worth fulfilling.

Revision time
Some children only revise while doing homework. Nakazibwe urges parents to take homework seriously and look at it as a way of revision. She argues that “if possible you should read deeper and give explanatory answers in some topics even if it is not required in the homework.”

How to do it
Let them rest
Akena notes that he first leaves the children to rest a bit after school and homework is done later. He believes that giving them work immediately after school is very tiring and can make them lose morale for their school work.
“You can make a timetable with them where by after school they have some minutes to rest or play and then set a standard time for homework. This will make them responsible and will reduce on pulling ropes with you over doing homework,” he suggests.

Make it fun
Aidah Kansiime, a nursery teacher, says do not make it seem like a burden to them. “Look for fun ways to do the homework especially for the very young children. Give them gifts once they are done, you can sing for them or let them sing for you,” says Kansiime. She also warns parents who are always rude to their children while doing homework as it makes a child lose morale for school work and they will look at it as punishment.

Remove distractions
Make sure the home work is done from a quiet place. Put off the TV and reduce things that can create distraction to the child. A peaceful mind brings ample concentration hence good results.

Let them do the work
For Kakuba, helping with homework does not mean doing it for the child but monitoring and only helping where you think they have failed. Some parents will guide by telling the child all the answers which is a bad idea, by this they will not put in any efforts to learn because they know you will give them the answers.

Praise them
It natural that we all feel motivated when praised and cheered and your child will feel the same. Tell them you are happy with the way they are doing their work and this will get them going and they work hard to avoid disappointing you.

If they aren’t catching up
Annet Nakazibwe, a teacher, notes that if the child is slow or seems not to understand things well, see their teachers and look for a solution on how to help.
She adds that creating a relationship with teachers is very important because they spend more time with your child than you do. Since they are the second parent to the child, they should be respected, appreciated and recognised.