Kids Math Homework Help

Kids math homework is often the hardest subject.  Many children, may feel that either they get math or they don’t.  But it doesn’t have to be this way.  Even a child who is struggling with math homework can find a few strategies to make the subject easier.

Here are some suggestions for making those math homework sheets a breeze.

1. Practice, Practice, Practice- math gets easier with repetition.  But you don’t need to force your children to do their math homework practice for hours at a time.  Try to focus on those math sheets for five or ten minutes at a time.  This may help them retain their skills better.  Another great way to help them learn math skills is to use  flashcards for things like formulas or multiplication tables.
2. Push Carefully.  Many kids create an internal mental block against math.  They believe they just can’t get it and no amount of math homework practice is going to make a difference.  Instead of making light of this fear, focus on letting them know that any child can master math and become good at it.   Explain that math has some set concepts and rules and that once she understands those, she will be able to move onto more complex problems.
3. Math is real-life. Often kids don’t see how math relates to the real world, especially with the more complex concepts.  But you can help your kid relate math to the real world by using money, coupons, and grocery shopping  to illustrate how math works on a day to day basis.  Most kids will respond well to using money as a way to learn math – finally they might understand you

Getting your kids to practice math and helping them with their math homework can seem pretty daunting.  But with patience and encouragement you can help your child become “good at math.”

Make Reading Fun For Kids

Reading for Kids – Simple Ways to Make Reading fun for Kids

All parents know that reading is an important part of their child’s development.  But with some many other things competing for your child’s time and attention how to you make reading for kids fun?  And why should you?

Reading is a basic skill, that leads to better verbal and written communication.  Good readers also learn how to grasp complex concepts, solve puzzles and develop a genuine interest in learning for the sake of learning.    A good reader is a confident reader and will be a better test taker and student.

So what are some good reader strategies you can use to increase your child’s reading skills?  Here are some tips to get kids reading.

1. Read Daily - d reading on a daily basis reinforces basic literacy skills and cements the idea that reading is important – and a necessary part of life – just like brushing teeth and watching TV.
2. Go to Your Public Library  – Did you know that many children today have never visited a library outside the one at school?   An an outing to the library is one your child will respond positively too.  Help them sign up for their own library card and let them pick their own books to read.
3. Lead or Read by Example – If your kids see you reading from a young age, very likely they will want to model what mommy or daddy is doing.  Read for fun and pleasure and show your kids what you’re reading and explain why you like to read it – for the action, adventure, the information value.   Show that reading makes you a “better” person and they’ll be inspired to tr it for themselves
4. Start a book club – You can easily start this with a few other parents.  Set a weekly meeting time with a small group of children to discuss a new book.     Don’t be afraid to check out the books or publisher’s website for reading guides or asking the local children’s librarian for some picks.  And don’t forget to bring the treats – just like a grown up book club, there’s nothing like noshing and reading.
5. Read at Bedtime – Reading at bed time is a great thing for both children and parents.  It gives you both a chance to connect quietly at the end of the day.  You can share the story and discuss the characters or consider reading a chapter book with one or two chapters a night – your kids will look forward to what happens next.   You’ll both feel relaxes and ready for shuteye when you add reading to your bedtime ritual.

And finally – a bonus tip – Let them choose – reading tends to become less exciting as children grow, but you can counter that by providing a range of suitable materials from kid-friendly magazines on their favorite subject to variety of books.   Work together to find some of child’s favorite genres – whether it’s how-to non-fiction, history, mysteries or slice of life narratives.  Don’t forget to consider comic books and graphic novels.

It’s true that books today are competing with a variety of other things for your child’s attention. Raising a good reader may seem to be a lot harder job than it once was, but it’s not an impossible task.  By exposing your children to books from a young age, you’ll create an enthusiasm for reading.   Don’t forget to lead by example and you’ll be sure to raise a good future reader.

And be sure to check out our list of great books for tweens at www.girlmogul.com our (daughter) site.

So if your child is reluctant to join afterschool activities or clubs, what are some of the reasons? Shyness, anxiety and the perceived inability to succeed. It’s a catch-22 – once your child gets out there and starts to participate successfully, she will find that her self esteem does grow and that she becomes more confident – but she won’t get the opportunity if she can never get over the first step.

Participation in an activity two to three times a week is an important step for your child to develop her social skills, so taking no for an answer probably isn’t a good idea.
Here are some tips on overcoming the joiner reluctance:
1. What is your child’s personality – is she comfortable in large groups or with just one or two friends. If so the large group aspect of an extracurricular activity might be the most daunting. So perhaps encourage her to join an activity with a friend so she has a buddy, or help her find a club with some strong adult mentors – a person she can bond with one on one. Note – this will require some work on your part to find groups that have a number of mentors available and who also are in tune with your family’s values.

2. Let her volunteer with younger kids – Perhaps there is a community or church group that needs help with a younger group of kids. Your daughter may be all thumbs around kids her age, but have a real knack with smaller kids – or at least no feel any of the annoying social pressure. See if she can volunteer with a group like this – ensuring that she still has plenty of adult supervision. This could be just the experience your daughter needs to come out of her shell – after all she’ll be the hero of all the little kids and such admiration is a great esteem booster.

3. Avoiding Burnout – sometimes kids are unmotivated as they are tired – with the increasing amount of schoolwork, activities and over scheduling of kids, some children may be shunning organized activites because they just want their own time. Take a look at your child’s schedule – is homework, overlapping practices and commuting a schedule not even you could keep up? It may be time for a change. Oftentimes these schedules aren’t a result of going to middle school, but really just the small cumulation of all the activities that were scheduled when your child was growing up – and with the mantra of Winners Don’t Quit being drilled into our kids’ heads, it may be that they are afraid to cry “Uncle”

4. Join Based on Enthusiasm – allow your child to participate in activities he or she really enjoys – rather than the ones you think are best for her. Be willing to give up your pre-conceived notions of what’s right, or what you like (I for one, spent years sailing in order to impress my dad – finally realizing that the slightly nauseous feeling I go really was motion sickness and that it happens EVERYTIME I get on a boat) and let your child choose her own activities

5. Watch for signs of burnout – it’s normal for kids to want to quit the team after a bad practice and you shouldn’t let them quit at the first sign of trouble. But do be on the lookout for real signs of burnout or dislike – does she keep losing her sports equipment? It may not be that she’s disorganized. Ask her how she feels about an activity during some downtime, when there has been some time since she last participated. Allow her to take a break – it may just be what she needs to decide how she really feels about the activity.

6. Allow for downtime – If your child does give up one activity don’t rush to replace it – perhaps she’ll spend more time doing something else she really likes, growing her interest in one or two things, rather than being a Jill of all trades. You don’t have to let her sit around and watch TV during her downtime (encourage reading, family time or a hobby – something restful but engaging.)

Let us know your tips for helping kids stay motivated for activities and managing burnout below.

So as back to school becomes just school, how can you help your tween daughter better adjust to middle school? Here are some parenting tips and parenting advice to help you let go and let your daughter take her first steps towards independence.

1. Think in terms of coach, not manager – When you’re child was smaller, you were pretty much the micro manager of all of her daily time and activities. Everything from getting socks on to drinking juice had to be carefully watched and monitored with you providing step by step directions all along the way. And there is nothing wrong with that – that’s exactly what your daughter needed to learn how to take care of herself.

However as she moves into middle school, you should start to think of yourself more as a coach, not as a manager. A coach cheers, supports and provides direction, but can’t play the game for the child.

2. Help her keep her own schedule - You may be used to the master planner, scheduling soccer practices, ballet lessons and other activities, but now that your daughter is in middle school, she will have to manage extracurricular activities along with academic responsibilities. As a parent-coach, your job is not to keep her schedule for her, but to help her manager it herself. Come up with a time management system both of you can use – there is no sense forcing her to follow your favorite style – and help her stick to it. It may be as simple as a designated homework pad in which she writes down all assignments for that day and their due date. Or she may prefer a more organized planner. Or a folder for each class. You know your daughter, so figure out something that works for her – don’t worry about what anyone else is doing.

3. Build Your Team - Parenting today takes teamwork. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to get to know your child’s teachers, coaches, mentors and counselors. This is especially important if you’re a single parent. Building a team that includes teachers, neighbors and others will ensure that you’re not in this alone. Even if you’re a stay at home mom, having this parenting team can greatly help you help your daughter. Yes, you may have to listen to some unwanted parenting advice, but you’ll likely get a few gems in there as well.

Moms and Dads – Put in your best parenting tips for easing the transition to middle school in the comments below….

After mentioning the Halloween costume subject, I’m sure you’re curious about what they had to say on that. The authors mention that “Children need reliable, accurate information from trusted adults to handle the messages about sexuality they receive on a daily basis from media sources and peers. For parents with young girls, especially, Halloween can mean going through racks of costumes with short skirts, bare midriffs, and laced up heels. Use these teachable moments to discuss your values and limits around costumes. Teach your values, and give your children reliable, accurate information about the many ways sexuality messages enter their lives.”

The authors touch on things like keeping kids healthy in school, addressing the swine flu, and even how to limit TV and cell phone exposure to increase attention and success at school. The book costs $12.95 and can be bought online or in book stores nationwide. To learn more about the authors and the book, you can check their site at www.parentingbystrengths.com.