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What Experts Say

We all know the rare, super-gifted kid who can ace a test without cracking a book. But for most children, developing good study habits is the key to academic success. What that really means, experts say, is learning to work methodically.

Help your child get organized by creating a quiet, out-of-the-way place to do homework, even if it's just a corner of the kitchen, and stocking it with the supplies she needs, from pencils and glue sticks to a dictionary and computer. And teach her how to use an academic planner -- or even a simple notebook -- to keep track of homework and other assignments.

Fight procrastination by making it a household rule that homework gets done first...

We all know the rare, super-gifted kid who can ace a test without cracking a book. But for most children, developing good study habits is the key to academic success. What that really means, experts say, is learning to work methodically.

Help your child get organized by creating a quiet, out-of-the-way place to do homework, even if it's just a corner of the kitchen, and stocking it with the supplies she needs, from pencils and glue sticks to a dictionary and computer. And teach her how to use an academic planner -- or even a simple notebook -- to keep track of homework and other assignments.

Fight procrastination by making it a household rule that homework gets done first -- before TV time, social phone calls, or playtime. Let your child know how long you expect her to work -- but then back off.

"Tell her you expect her to put in two hours, but don't stand over her telling her how to do it," says Madeline Levine, a child psychologist and author of "The Price of Privilege" (HarperCollins, 2006).

Of course, parents of younger or more easily distracted children may need to help them get started by breaking down their workloads into simple, less intimidating tasks so they don't get overwhelmed.

Above all, resist the urge to nag or check your child's work constantly. "Ask yourself, when does being helpful turn into interference?" says Levine.

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Aug 19, 2007 at 2:28:53 PM

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Giggles_all_day
3 weeks ago

Making it a habit

I started a routine with my children from the beginning. They would come home from school, have time for a small snack and relax and then it would be homework and study time. This has become such a routine for them that they are in HS...  read more

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glvogelzang
July 27, 2007

Don't Help Too Much

There can be a fine line between helping your child with his homework and doing the homework for him. I learned the hard way. By helping too much, my son really became dependent on me for starting and completing homework. As a parent who...  read more

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