Appropriate Amount of Homework Help

Our 11-year-old daughter is starting sixth grade this year, her first in intermediate school. She has always relied too much on our help to do her homework. Is there a rule of thumb on how much input a parent should have in a sixth-grader's homework? -- Concerned
Answer: As a general rule of thumb, children should be able to handle their homework primarily by themselves by seventh grade. Start working toward that goal now, but don't pull your homework support right out from under her.
Begin by having your daughter read her nightly assignments out loud to you. Then have her explain how she is going to complete the work. Help her learn to plan the order in which she will tackle her assignments. Next, she should read and explain the directions of the first assignment to you. Not knowing exactly what is expected can cause confusion. Ask her if she has any questions about the first assignment. After answering them, either encourage her to complete this assignment independently or watch how she completes the first item to see that she does understand the directions. Follow the same steps, if necessary, for all the assignments.
When your daughter runs into a roadblock on an assignment, ask her to study the textbook examples or her notes before asking for your aid. Your aid should never include doing the work for her. Instead, you should pose questions that will help her figure out what to do.
Your daughter will actually take pride in doing her homework by herself. Praise her efforts.