Category Archives: apps

Back in School, Part 2: Homework

If it seems that with the new school year your kids’ amount of homework has increased, that’s likely true.  Each year a new grade brings with it increasing amounts of responsibility, including homework.  Some homework can be started during the school day, but often it needs to be finished after hours.

Homework can sometimes seem overwhelming, both for your child and for the whole family.  Here are a few helpful tips.

  • Attitude.  If you treat homework as positively as possible, that will help your young student.  Doing schoolwork at home has many up sides, including letting you in on how things are going at school.  You’ll learn what your child is studying and how easy or difficult a particular subject is for him.
  • Assistance.  You shouldn’t do your child’s homework, but there are many things you can help her with.  Memorization is one of the biggest.  Make practicing for spelling and arithmetic tests fun.  Make flash cards together out of scrap paper cut into squares.  Use free online websites to get ideas or even create games around specific words or subjects.  Prepping for a social studies test about Mexico?  Make sure you understand what topics are being covered, and look at some web videos that show art, culture and travel.
  • Time.  This is the biggie, isn’t it?  You’ve been thrown from sleeping in and days by the pool, to waiting for the bus and trying to decide what to have for supper and how you’ll get everyone where they need to be when they need to be there.  Every day is crunch time.  How to schedule in homework?
    • These first few weeks are important in figuring out which subjects and days of the week will require more time.
    • Negotiate with the students in your house.  They may need a little down time to play a game and have a snack when they first get home, or they may prefer to get homework out of the way.
    • Do a back-off timetable from bedtime.  Figure out when they need to be in bed, about how much time homework will take, and work out with the students when and how they’ll get the work done.
    • If the time is overwhelming and your child is spending far too much time with homework, talk to the teacher.  This is important information for any teacher to know.
  • Space.  Find the right space where you can keep an eye on computer screens while also limiting distractions.
  • Support.  The Scott County Library has online help from 2 p.m. until midnight, a great local resource.  Many teachers and classrooms have their own website where homework assignments may be posted.  For middle and high school, get familiar with the Infinite Campus site, where you can follow grades and attendance.  There’s even an app in the Apple Store.
  • Involvement.  If you see problems developing, don’t wait.  Talk to your child’s teacher right away.  Usually they’ll have good ideas for helping your youngster’s academic progress at home.  If you worry that there may be a medical problem or learning disability, contact our office for an appointment.

Homework is an essential tool in learning, both now and in developing the right skills for a lifetime.  With your help and encouragement, the students in your family can do well.

 

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

Apps to suit your life and lifestyle

Last week we dealt with websites.  Want to be more mobile?  There are many apps for your smartphone or tablet that can help you keep your family healthy.

Here we’ve listed just a few to get you started, all of them inexpensive or free.

  • From the American Academy of Pediatrics, several great apps are available, all of which you can order here.
    • KidsDoc.  Cost:  $1.99.  This app helps you figure out what to do if your child is sick.  You enter your child’s symptoms and are given advice, including options like:  Call 911, Call Your Child’s Doctor Now, Call Your Child’s Doctor within 24 hours or Manage at Home.  Suggestions for managing at home will tell you how to care for your child’s particular ailment.
    • Car Seat Check.  Cost:  $1.99.  Enter your child’s age, height, and weight.  You’ll get reviews of appropriate car seats, installation help, and safety information.
    • Healthy Children.  Cost:  FREE.  Look up health information by age, find out what first aid is best for particular injuries, see what immunizations are needed for particular ages.
    • ADHD Tracker 1.0.  Cost:  FREE.  If your child, age 4-18, has already been diagnosed with (and treated for) ADHD, this app gives a streamlined way to complete and submit a behavioral assessment.
    • Iron Kids.  Cost:  $3.99.  Keep your child healthy and fit and sport-ready with this workout.
    • Other sources and apps.
      • Ages and Stages.  Cost:  FREE.  This app by Parenting magazine allows you to enter your own stage of pregnancy, or your child’s age, to get information tailored for you.
      • Breastfeeding Management 2.  Cost:  $1.99.  The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition sponsors this app.  You can get answers to frequently asked questions; enter your child’s age, weight, and frequency of feeding to determine how many ounces each feeding should be (especially helpful if you’re pumping); research medications and breastfeeding.

Technology and health have always gone together.  These apps can keep you up to date and on top of health issues.

Artwork by Kennedy, age 2

Artwork by Kennedy, age 2

 

© 2014 MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved