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Helping With Homework

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Encourage Reading by Creating a Cozy Reading Space 
Copyright © 2004 Pamela Cole Harris
Writer, Editor, and Webmaster
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com



The best thing you can do to help your child succeed in school
is to encourage reading - no matter how young your child is! Research has shown that reading to your child not only forms a stronger bond between you, but also increases his/her cognitive, motor and social skills. And designating a space in your home as
a cozy reading corner can make the experience comfortable and cozy for both of you.


Here are some tips for making the most of your reading corner:

1. Find an overstuffed chair wide enough for the two of you.    Kids love to snuggle with their parents! (And parents love    to snuggle with their kids!)

2. Make sure that there is proper lighting in the corner. Don't    rely on harsh overhead lighting! Use soft, reader-friendly bulbs in lamps which are the correct position to prevent light from shining directly at eye height.

3. Find a table to put beside the chair to hold the lamp,    glasses or additional books. Make it sturdy enough so that kids cannot accidentally turn it over when climbing on your lap!

4. Choose appropriate books for your child. Ask your local  librarian to recommend books or do some research online to find books which have been favorable reviewed for your child's age. One great way to engage your child is to make your own books. Have your child dictate a story and type it out on the computer. Scan in your child's artwork or pictures  that you child might tear out from magazines to illustrate    his/her story. Print the book out and bind with ribbon. Then snuggle up and read!

5. Have a warm afghan or quilt in the wintertime to wrap you both in a snuggly cocoon. It increases the sense of intimacy!

6. Buy or build bookcases for the corner which as short enough so that your child's favorite books are easily accessible. Have your child choose a favorite book to read together!

7. An ottoman or footstool is a wonderful place to put up your feet while reading! And if your child is older (and no longer wants to snuggle as often!), it is a perfect place for him/her to sit.

8. Gather stuffed animals as an additional audience when your child begins to read to you. Kids love to have an audience of favorite friends!

9. As your child gets older and is reading on his own, put bean bag chairs in the reading space. Children love to "slouch" in bean bags!

10. An alternative reading area may be a rug or maybe even a big pillow on the floor. The most important thing is that your child be comfortable reading.

11. Make it a point to read to your child at bedtime. It creates a feeling of security for your child. Your special reading corner may well be your child's bed!

12. Don't make reading a 'hafta" time! You 'hafta' sit up straight, 'hafta' read this or that, or 'hafta' keep your feet off the furniture!

Whether the special reading spot in your family home is a corner chair, a bean bag, a rug or a bed, the most important thing in it is you! Make the time to read with your children! Even 10 minutes a day will make a world of difference in the life of your child.

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Pamela Cole Harris is a writer with over 35 years experience (Gosh! Has it been that long?). Her expertise on decorating on a budget comes from her own experience (Is Early Graduate Student a style?). Visit her website, http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com ,
for her unique view of home decorating and remodeling (and a free
monthly newsletter!). Or for free syndicated content for your
website, visit:
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com/content_syndication.html
 

The Three Phases of Learning
by Susan J. Letham

Success depends on your ability to learn constantly. Some of your learning is picked up along the way and some is seat- of-your-pants learning. Either way, learning takes place in three phases. Understanding how learning works--formal or informal--will make it easier for you to soak up new skills and apply them successfully.

Learning takes place in three phases.

What most of us call "learning" is made up of a lesson phase, a learning phase, and a practice phase. If you prefer you can call these phases the "taking it in" phase, the
"thinking it through" phase, and the "putting it into practice" phase.

Knowing a little about the the purpose of each phase and the processes that take place will help you gain the greatest benefit from your learning experience in any field.

The lesson phase: Taking things in

During lesson time you, the learner, are presented with new material and concepts. The main purpose of this phase is for you to familiarize yourself with new material and to absorb the text, images and explanations your tutor considers most relevant to the topic at this time.

Although learning is listed as a separate phase, in reality, it begins the moment you receive new input. At unconscious level, you'll be comparing the new material with things you already know, looking for similarities, contrasts, and connections.
 
You need to be fully aware that you are being offered only one set of views of the learning topic and that there may be other views. Take the views you are offered at face value for the time being, but think them through at all costs. Be ready to question them in the light of other opinions and in the light of your existing knowledge and experience.

The learning phase: Thinking things through

Learning doesn't happen during lectures or by reading books. It takes place once class is over and your books are closed. Real learning begins when you start tossing what you've read or heard around in your mind, consciously looking for the matches and mismatches between it and what you already know.

There are many ways to do what we call "thinking." Not all learners think in the same way: some like to ponder and imagine, others like to talk things through with other
learners or a tutor, another type of learner may prefer to draw diagrams or doodle out mind maps to help her mull over new ideas. Some like to think independently, others prefer to think inside a structure at first.

The main thing is that at some point in this phase you take the input you picked up in the lesson phase, process it, and come to first conclusions on three things: the validity of the input, the ways in which it links to other things you know, and some ways in which you think you can test or use your new information and ideas.

The practice phase: Putting things into practice

The practice phase is where you carry out the tests and try the uses you came up with in the learning phase.

Regular practice is more effective than random bursts. Try to set aside a minimum of three 30-60 minute practice periods a week. Shorter practice periods are unlikely to be
helpful. It takes most people 15-20 minutes to leave the busy world behind and slip into a state of mind in which they can fully concentrate.

In some situations your teacher or tutor may provide you with exercises that help you practice what you've learned. The point of working with the tutor's material is to gain
the insight you need to understand how the principles that underlie what you've learned can apply to a new range of situations.

You can (and should) try different kinds of practice to find out which approaches work best for you. Some typical methods include re-reading texts and notes, formulating questions about the material and the thoughts you had about it, drawing pictures and diagrams to show links between old and new information, and applying what you've learned to existing projects.

Learning doesn't end after the practice phase, though! The outcome of your practice phase often becomes the input for the next lesson phase. You'll cycle through these three phases many times as you learn, integrating new material and experience in each cycle. By the end of your learning experience you should have passed through the phases often enough to have a clear idea of what you've learned, what you think about it, and what you can do with your new knowledge.

© 2004, Susan J. Letham

Susan J. Letham is a British writer, creative writing tutor, and owner of http://www.Inspired2Write.com . Sign up for classes and competent 1-on-1 coaching. Pick up your no-cost subscription to the monthly Inspired2Write Newsletter at: mailto:Inspired2Write_Newsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

 Tips for Helping with Homework

Get ready for the upcoming school year! Make assignments a part of everyday family life. * Practice spelling words while preparing meals or doing other household chores. * Help your child define words in spelling or reading assignments. * Review the definitions of old words as your child learns new ones. * Share your "homework" from the office with your child. Let her know what you are thinking about for the day or week ahead. * Celebrate progress toward as well as the attainment of goals. * Celebrate your good grades. Share positive feedback from a supervisor or co-worker you receive.

 Tips for Helping Your Child do Well in School

Ask you child about school each day

Never send your child to school upset(if you can save reprimands until after school)

Know your child's friends

Know you child's teacher(s)

Ask Your child if he or she has homework

Ask to see the homework once it is finished

Ask to see returned school work

Read with your child

Discuss current events

 Tips for Doing a Research Paper

 The Best Studying Spots

By Robin R. Nobles