Homework Help Tips from the #KaplanKids Twitter Party

“How do you help your kids when they get stuck on a homework problem or tough assignment?” Here are some of the great tips parents shared at the #KaplanKids Twitter Party with @MomCentral!

Giveaway: Don’t forget! You can still use the discount code from yesterday’s Twitter Party to try out the Kaplan Tutoring Online Program for one month for just $9! Click here to learn more.

1. Google it or phone a friend
   
   
   
   

   @ConnieFoggles: husband & I try to help, use websites provided by school, Internet, etc
   
   
   @DeftonesGirly69: We go over the problem again & again. If I don’t understand, I call around for help. lol
   
   
   @lw1191: we look things up together; I tell him how I would work the problem, sometimes he calls a friend for help or emails the teacher




2. Encourage and cheer on
   
   
   
   

   @assia00: Start with the easy part and make the problem looks less hard then it is
   
   
   @lw1191: sometimes when my son gets stuck on a problem I give him a brain massage
   
   
   @paulakap8: Apply anything in a fun way homework make it fun sing, shout , dance don’t make it homework make it funwork




3. Work together to figure it out
   
   
   
   

   @trisha71478: I try to tell him to look in his book, but he claims that the text book does not show how to do it

   @KaplanTutoring: Heard that before! It may help to ask him to read the question aloud or explain it to find what he’s missing.

   
   

   @spdls0215: Patience! We do it together. Research. Try and try again.
   
   
   @smlcfh: when they get stuck, we tough it out with them and work on a solution that they are involved in!
   
   
   @trisha71478: @kaplantutoring - how do you help a 13 year old with math without giving the answers too easily?

   @KaplanTutoring: It’s tricky. The best policy for helping is to guide him to find the answer on his own, rather than to give it.

   
   

   @zebastyandylan: I sit and try to explain it to him in a way an 11 year old would understand. Then make him explain it back to me.
   
   
   @clallen1971: my dh helped w/ science and he was confused on it too. Some is over my head and i have to read whole chapter to help
   
   
   @lw1191: I always double check and if there is a problem, we address it right away, immediate feedback is a big thing with 11 year olds




4. Teach it another way
   
   
   
   

   @mnsixofus: Not all kids learn the same way so I try to be creative in explaining when one gets stuck.
   
   
   @Leighbra: When my kids get stuck on a math problem in the “new system” I say THIS Is how I was taught. Sometimes it clicks!
   
   
   @retisima: We like to use visuals, and manipulateives.




5. Break up assignments and homework time
   
   
   
   

   @JanetandMaya: I think it helps to break tough assignments down into smaller pieces.
   
   
   @cookiesANDclogs: If she gets frustrated, take a snack break then continue later
   
   
   @lolamichele: leaving it for a while and coming back to it later often helps.

How do you help your kids with homework, tough assignments and long-term projects? (If we missed any of your tips yesterday, please comment to share those, too!)