How Can I Help?
Many parents either
have a limited background in French or do not speak the language at all. If
this is the case for you, don't feel alarmed! The most important factor in your
child’s success will be your encouragement and the positive support you are
able to give your child. You should make homework a top priority at home;
assignments should take no more than 30 minutes to complete each night at the
elementary level, not including daily reading of 15 minutes each night.
Provide praise and
support, and contact your child’s French teacher if you notice a problem. You
and your child's teacher must work together as a team that is committed to your
child's progress. The secret to building and maintaining that relationship is
through communication. Remember, if a child is having problems in the French
program they would likely be having the same problems in the English program.
Find out what these problems are and address them immediately!
French immersion
parents can help with homework, too. The difference in language can be
daunting, but the purpose is still the same...the attitude of the child to
homework is influenced by the parents. If homework is seen as an arduous task,
or a punishment for not finishing in class, it will become a negative
experience. You, as parents, should encourage a positive attitude towards
homework; if you are positive they will more than likely follow your lead and
enjoy the experience of a second language, even at difficult times.
What can parents
do:
1. You can start by
establishing a good rapport with your child's immersion teacher in a spirit of
collaboration and support. Discuss with the teacher and the child the reason
for homework - most teachers will have an information session at the beginning
of the year. Ask what to expect in homework and how much.
2. Ensure your
child has a quiet, well-lit place to work, away from the TV and distractions.
3. Treat homework
as your child's responsibility, with yourself as a helper, if needed. Try to
encourage your child to use the dictionary - an excellent resource to have.
4. At home, your
child should be free to read for pleasure in French or in English and
encouraged to talk about his/her experiences at school. Showing interest in
what your child is doing at school and providing encouragement and support is
of the utmost importance.
5. You can help by
sitting with your children and encouraging them to complete their work. This
will help your child in the short and long run. It is particularly easy to work
with your child in math, social studies, science or art because they can be
done in English at home.
6. Discuss with
your child the rules of studying; lay down and STICK to the rules and
consequences for poorly done or undone homework. Know the teacher’s rules and
try to reinforce them.
7. Set a regular
period for homework to be completed - emphasize the fact that if the homework
is completed first, the rest of the day is theirs.
8. Be interested in
the work your child has accomplished...notebooks, worksheets, especially
quizzes and tests...develop a system for remembering assignments and test dates
so you can both plan for them.
Source: Canadian
Parents for French, Help your Child with Homework
http://www.cpf.bc.ca/site3/index.php/parents/how-can-i-help-my-child
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