Learning at Home

Best Practices for Learning at Home

Set up a learning-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete work.

Keep supplies — paper, pencils, glue, scissors — within reach.

Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.

Help them make a plan. Encourage your child to break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary — and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.

Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls. (Occasionally, though, a phone call to a classmate about an assignment can be helpful.)

Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments. Give encouragement, check completed work, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.