Homework

Homework is often used to complete classwork or for reading or spelling tasks. When homework is used to get the child to catch up on the school day, teachers need to consider the workload they are providing for the pupil as it may be that it needs to be lightened. Homework can be the biggest help the pupil can get if it is thought through at the planning stage. Parents can be, and often are, their child's best teacher and homework can be both pleasurable and profitable.

Through planning the teacher knows the major points, vocabulary and concepts that will be introduced to the class in any series of lessons. If parents are involved at this planning stage they can use homework for its best purpose to consolidate and increase learning and prepare for lessons.

What can parents do?

Some of the ways in which a parent can help are:

• Introduce the new words into the child's daily life.
• If the teacher is able to make a tape of the main points of the lesson, listen to this with your child to reinforce what has been learnt at school.
• Give the child hands-on experiences that will allow the new concepts to be more readily taken on.
• Practise newly learned material in practical settings.
• Be part of the extended reward system.

What should homework do?

• Test knowledge or rehearse knowledge and/or skills.
• Take account of the tiredness factor.

What can teachers do?

• Produce worksheets for filling in blanks.
• Give homework on disc or tape.
• Accept parents' assistance in writing for their child.
• Give clear guidance to parents of the materials being covered based on a reasonable expectation of what the child can achieve and their knowledge.

For more information on Scope

Contact Scope Response for information, advice and support on cerebral palsy and disability issues. Copies of all our factsheets can be downloaded from our website or obtained from Scope Response.

Scope Response hours are:
Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Closed weekends and Bank Holidays.

Scope Response
PO Box 833
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NY

Tel: 0808 800 3333 
Fax: 01908 321051
SMS Text: Type SCOPE plus your message to 80039

Email: response@scope.org.uk
Web: www.scope.org.uk

Scope acknowledges the help and support of everyone who has been involved in the production of this information. Although we have taken care to ensure the accuracy of this information, Scope cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. We always recommend getting independent advice from a professional before embarking on any process, therapy or medical intervention.

We have information about Scope and cerebral palsy available in some languages on CD-ROM. We also offer a telephone interpreting service to people whose preferred language is not English. Please contact Scope Response for more details of these services.

This information was last reviewed June 2010

© We are happy for you to make photocopies of any part of this document. However, we would be grateful if you would attach an acknowledgement of the source to any copies.