I find that if parents are interested, the kids are more likely to be interested. Showing interest is expressed in different ways. Mornings can be a lot less hectic and a lot more pleasant if everybody isn't rushing, she says. Monitoring children's homework is another critical task for parents, the teachers agree. Then send a note to the teacher or call to explain the problem so home and school can work together to make sure the child is learning.
Homework can also cause problems when parents believe a child is getting too much or too little.
Too little is easier to rectify because a parent can request additional work and find material in libraries or through other resources. In either case, the answer begins with talking with the teacher, finding out if there is a school or classroom homework policy and asking what the teacher's philosophy is about the amount. It should be related to the day's lesson, not given just to give extra work. If a parent is still uneasy after talking with the teacher, he or she can find out if other parents in the classroom share the concern. If an agreement can't be worked out, the parent can speak with the principal.