Physical Arrangement of Room

• Avoid distracting stimuli in the room [television, computer (unless needed for assignment), loud air conditioner, etc.]
• Ensure that if your child is using the computer for a homework assignment, that he or she is logged out of other websites, such as youtube.com, facebook.com, or myspace.com.

Organizational Strategies

• Have your child record assignments in his or her agenda on a daily basis.
• Ensure that your child’s folders or binders are neat and organized. 
• When homework is completed, place it into the front of your child’s folder or binder so that it is easily accessible to him or her.

Homework and Studying Tips

• Make sure your child understands the directions for the assignment.  Read the directions with him or her and discuss what the task is asking.  Have your child repeat the directions to you to ensure he or she understands. 
• Review key points of the assignment with your child orally.  In other words, give him or her an oral quiz of main points, key vocabulary words, etc.
• Use underlining or highlighting for main ideas in a written text.
• Use index cards to create vocabulary note cards for your child.
• Break longer presentations into shorter segments, and give your child a break between each segment.  For instance, once he or she has worked for a half hour on an assignment, give him or her a 15-minute break to play outside or read a magazine before he or she finishes another segment of homework.
• Cue your child to stay on task during homework time with nonverbal cues.  For instance, if you notice him or her starting to become off-task, nod your head, tug at your ear, or put your hand on the table near him or her to get your child back on task.
• Changing the physical location of where someone studies has recently been shown to improve long-term memory.  Mix it up!

Study Incentives and Rewards

• Give your child extra privileges or rewards for completed work or improvement in his or her grades.
• Keep it positive!