Good Question: How Much Should Parents Help With Homework?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Every parent wants their child to succeed, but giving them too much help with their homework might actually hurt.
One study found once kids hit middle school, a parent's help can bring test scores down because parents may have forgotten or don't understand what their children are learning in school.
So, how much should parents help with homework? Good Question.
We talked with a group of teachers of Minnetonka Public Schools.
"I think parents need to be honest when they say, 'I don't really know what your teacher is looking for and I think your teacher is the best person to answer this question,'" said Kelley Mosiman, an English teacher at Minnetonka High School.
Each teacher acknowledged teaching methods have changed over the past generation along with the resources now accessible to students.
Gwynneth Wacker, a biology teacher at Minnetonka High School, said parents can sometimes provide too much information to their children.
"Parents should let the student struggle a little bit because at that point, you're challenging your child to reach that higher level of learning and you're exercising your brain," Wacker said.
When we asked parents whether they'd allow their children to turn in homework the adult knew was wrong, parents answered with everything from an "absolutely yes" to "don't know" to "no way."
Each teacher answered differently as well, but most of them agreed parents should allow children to learn from their mistakes.
"I think the question would have to be, 'Have you tried your best on this? Is this a true reflection of your work?'" said Wacker.
Gina Nelson, a social studies teacher at Minnetonka Middle School East, said, "In social studies, there isn't always a right answer. I think it's about talking it through or talking about a current event or issue they're learning in class."
Parents said finding the balance between too much and too little help can be difficult.
"It's very important for parents not to say, 'Well, I never was good at math either,'" said Joy Curran, a gifted and talented teacher at Minnewashta Elementary. "When a parent has a negative attitude, it can rub off on the child."
Ultimately, everyone agreed parents might do best to stay away from the nitty-gritty content issues and focus on creating a positive homework environment.
"The other thing that parents can do is set the expectation that school is really important, not just school, but education," said Stephanie Brondani, a reading teacher at Minnetonka High School. "Kids need to learn as much as they possibly can."
