What to do when your child fails to bring home assignments

 When your child continually fails to bring home assigned homework, take action.

 

1.     State that you expect all homework assignments to be brought home.

Say, “I expect you to bring home all assigned work and all the books you need to complete it.  If you finish your homework at school, I expect you to bring it home so that I can see it.”

2.     Work with the teacher to make sure you know what homework has been assigned.

Students can use a weekly assignment sheet to record assignments.  Ask the teacher to check and sign the sheet.  When your child completes the assignments, you sign the sheet and have your child return it to the teacher.

3.     Provide praise and support when assignments are brought home.

Say, it’s great to see that you remembered to bring home all of your homework.  I knew you could do it.”

4.     Institute mandatory homework time.

If your child still fails to bring home assignments, institute mandatory homework time, which requires spending a specific amount of time on academic activities (reading, reviewing textbooks, or class notes) whether homework is brought home or not.  When students learn that they are expected to study in any case, they will be encouraged to bring home their assignments.

5.     Use a homework contract.

This motivator is a written, signed agreement between you and your child that states a reward or a point toward a prize will be earned for each day that homework is brought home and completed.  (The younger the child, the more quickly the prize is earned.)

6.     Contact the teacher.

If the forgetfulness continues, discuss with the teacher the possibility of imposing loss of privileges at school.  Your child will know that you and the school are working together to ensure responsible behavior.

 

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