By Linda A Johnson

 

The importance of repetition

 

One of the more vital components of learning is repetition. University of Virginia, Professor Robert Bruner explains in his paper, “Repetition is the First Principle of All Learning”, that learning is a gradual process which culminates in a moment of clarity when the concept is fully understood. According to Professor Bruner, that moment “springs from an encounter and then a return”. By this he means that a student must be introduced to a new concept more than once or twice before complete comprehension takes place. This underscores the notion that homework is a necessity and not busy work. Returning to a lesson that was taught during the school day is a reinforcement of the concepts and an opportunity for the student to engage in repetition, which we have just learned, is necessary for learning to take hold.

 

How to assist your student with homework

 

While you are aware that repetition is necessary for a student to learn a new concept, you may still have uncertainties about how you may best help your child learn. Parents often wonder how much help they should give their child, here are some important guidelines:

 

-Create a productive work environment – A productive work environment contains all of the things your child must have in order to do his best work. Start with a dedicated work area that is free from clutter and distractions. Make certain that it contains adequate lighting, a comfortable chair, a clean work space and all of the utensils needed to complete the homework task. Some of these tools might be paper, writing implements, scissors, a calculator, ruler and perhaps even a computer.

 

-Set a scheduled homework “appointment” – A designated time for homework makes it easier to establish a routine. Younger students may need time for a snack and a rest, others may have to work their homework into a later time frame do to extra-curricular activities. Others may simply be more attentive at one specific time than another. The key is to set aside a specific time that you both agree on.

 

-Communicate with your student – Make a point of asking your child about his day at school and his homework assignments. It will give you an opportunity to understand if your help will be needed to complete the assignments. In the very least, it allows your student to voice any concerns or challenges as well as successes during their day.

 

-The answer should be a question – It is not unusual for a child to ask for help or feel frustrated with a lesson he may not fully understand. If you are asked for the answer to a question, answer it with another question rather than simply providing the answer. This helps to ignite the student’s higher thinking skills and recall what was learned in class. If you provide only the answer, you are denying the learning process. Give suggestions such as, “where might you look to find the answer?”

 

-Maintain open lines of communication with your child’s teacher – If you find that your child is having a difficult time grasping a lesson or is spending inordinate amounts of time trying to complete his homework assignment, speak with his teacher. Ask the teacher if there is additional help at school and have the teacher tell you how much time certain assignments should take. You may also ask if she has ideas or tips to help you assist your child.

 

A vital component of your child’s education is homework. Providing the right tools, and a productive workspace along with open communication with your child and his teacher are a few things you can do to make the homework routine more enjoyable. Careful assistance from you, when required, will ensure your student receives the most from his homework efforts.

 

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