Parental Role in Homework

A parent wrote that her son's fifth-grade teacher was unhappy because the mother was still helping the child with homework. There is no magical age to determine when parents should relinquish an active teaching role. A fifth-grader is still in elementary school. Classrooms are extremely overcrowded and individual instruction is rare; the class moves on, and those struggling are left behind. Parents must continue to help their children or go the route of tutors or learning centers. I still teach my fifth-grader, when needed, even though research may say that it is more appropriate to teach younger students. -- Part-Time Teacher
Answer: The goal should always be to help children work toward doing their homework independently. Try to enhance your child's study skills so he can figure out how to learn new material before you step in. Your son is lucky to have a parent who can help him.