It?s a fact ? children?s homework seems to be getting harder, and celeb mums and dads will vouch for that. David Beckham may have recently got his 100th cap for England, but he?s been quoted saying how he often struggles with his sons? homework, especially when it comes to numbers and simple multiplication.
Like David, celeb mum-of-three Loose Women presenter,?Coleen Nolan, knows only too well the perils of parenthood when it comes to the dreaded ?h? word.? She openly admits to lacking confidence in basic maths and English.? In particular, her lack of maths skills meant she struggled to help her sons with their school homework. She says: ?I didn?t understand the question, let alone the answer.? I seriously couldn?t help them.?
Coleen?s experience will touch a raw nerve with many parents, who find they have been catapulted back to their own schooldays when struggling to help their youngsters with their homework.
Research from learndirect, numeracy and literacy skills and qualifications provider, finds that despite a willingness to help (with the average parent spending three hours a week on homework), a lack of basic maths and English is actually causing stress and anxiety across the UK.
Disturbing research figures reveal that nearly 13.5 million adults experience stress as a direct result of their lack of ability in basic maths.? Similarly, 10 million adults show little confidence in using their basic English skills – a worrying figure considering we rely on these skills everyday of our lives.
To lead the way in encouraging parents to put their homework fears behind them, Coleen plans to sign up for a learndirect course.? She says ?learndirect will help you find a course that suits you, and can also let you know if you are eligible for funding, so it may cost you nothing at all.? What?s more, you can learn online at home or at a learndirect centre. Either way, learndirect staff will help you get started and support you throughout your learning.”
If like Coleen, you lack the confidence to help your children with their homework, her tips could get you back on track:
How to handle homework
Before you sit down with your child, take time to read through exactly what they?ve been asked to do ? this will help you to be more prepared – you?ll soon get a feel for what?s expected.
Find a quiet spot where you can both concentrate. Establish a routine so that homework time starts as soon as the children are home from school.? Turn the TV and radio off, as this will help to prevent any unnecessary interruptions.
Two is better than one. When it comes to homework, a helping hand when you hit a tricky area can be invaluable. My Ray is better at maths than me, so getting him on board to help out is great.?
Having a family member or friend to call on will not only help when you are stuck, but provide reassurance that you?re actually doing it right.
Talk with your child?s teacher regularly. Don?t be afraid to ask about simple ways that you can help your children with their homework
Don?t worry if you make mistakes.? My advice is to get the hard bits over with first, and if you do slip-up, just let your child know that making mistakes is all part of the process and it happens to everyone. It will also help you to realise what areas you need to brush up on
You are not alone ? As my two sons got older, I found that their homework gets much harder, so it?s best to get help with the basics before you are out of your depth.?
Reading with your kids
- Find a nice comfy spot where you can both relax?
- Don’t rush, it’s important to take your time
- Animate the characters to really bring the story to life
- Don’t skip pages – kids will soon catch you out
- A child?s attention span can span can be quite short, so little and often is a good approach to take
- Read a book more than once – it will give your child chance to use their imagination and capture elements of the story they might miss in just one reading
And Coleen?s favourites
- When I read with my six-year-old daughter Ciara I like to pretend to get some words wrong – she loves correcting me and it means she pays attention!
- You know when your child is too tired to read so don’t force them – you don’t want tears at bedtime! You just read the book to them instead
- Remember it’s not a test! Just have fun and make sure you give your child LOTS of praise
If you?re struggling with your basic skills, then contact learndirect on 0800 101 901 or log onto www.learndirect-skills.co.uk.? Brushing up on your basic skills will help you gain confidence to really get stuck in with your child?s learning.
Free story book for all readers
To encourage parents to read with their children, learndirect are giving away a free story book called Where Did the River Go?. It helps parents identify if they have a maths or English skills gap, whilst helping their children to learn too. Children love it because it?s an interactive book they can play.
Just log on to www.wheredidtherivergo.co.uk to find out how to claim your free copy of the book, or call free on 0800 101 901.