Researching and writing a report can be one of the most enjoyable, creative, and personal assignments a student receives. The most important learning comes, not from the facts gathered, but from practicing skills that can locate new knowledge whenever the student wants. Researching, organizing, and evaluating information provide experience in problem solving and build coping skills that children need to become independent adults. But when homework becomes a power struggle, when the grade seems more important than the learning, and when parents are manipulated into doing the student's work, a research report can be miserable for both child and parents. A child with an assignment needs to believe she or he can do the work.
Parents help most when they express confidence in their child's abilities.
There are many ways a parent can assist without taking over the project. SURE your child understands that he or she is responsible for researching and writing the report. Your role is to provide transportation, advice, and encouragement. ASK your child to think about the assignment. It always helps to know if a report topic is restricted to a particular part of the world or period of history.