By Jerilyn Ito, Creations by Jerilyn

How can I learn from my child's teacher?  Good communication will do the trick.

At my child's elementary school, they provide a handbook of information for parents to read which includes a list of things not to do.  You would think some of the information would be "common sense," but I can see how a parent may become overly helpful for their child.

1. Don't give your child extra homework as punishment.

Who me? I don't even have time to do this. But...what if your child is falling behind or doesn't quite understand the concepts being discussed in class?  Or downright refuses to do homework?  Parents can become frustrated.  Therefore, some parents may start seeking ways to make their child do their homework.   One way is giving additional homework if the current homework isn't completed.  A complete turn off.  Soon your child will see homework as a burden and not as a way to continuous learning towards open doors for the future.

2. Teach your child responsibility for his/her own homework.

As parents, we want our child to complete all homework on time.  Period.  But in the process it creates frustration for both the parent and child. The constant battle though may cause negativity towards future homework.

If homework is not completed, choose a consequence at home such as going straight to bed.  Don’t deal with the situation any further.  Let your child know that you are aware that the homework was not completed, and that you will continue to review homework assignments every day.  The next day in class, the child's teacher will also have a consequence in place.

What if they forget their homework at home?

Leave it.

Don't drive back to get his/her homework and deliver it to the classroom.  It defeats the purpose of having your child be responsible for homework, which includes remembering to pack it in their backpack.

3. Use the same jargon as the teacher uses in class.

One day, my son corrected me when I used the word "mistake" upon review of his homework. He looked up at me and stated, “Mommy, it’s a correction”.  At first, I was stunned.  I needed to grasp the concept of using the term “correction”.  After thinking about this, I thought this was great!  I grew up with having “mistakes" on my homework.   But he will grow up knowing that "corrections" need to be done.

I realized that changing the approach with a simple word can make a difference in a child's self esteem!  I see it as my child growing up knowing that there is always room for improvement and not always beating himself down for having incorrect answers.

Lastly, I always let my child know that I am in communication with his teacher.  I emphasize that he will be in bigger trouble with a greater consequence if there is any lying.  But if he tells the truth, he will still have a consequence, but not as great.

Hmmm...what a trade off.  You can see the wheels spinning in his head!