Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions. Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available.

Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.

Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.

When your child does homework, you do homework. Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.

When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.

When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it. Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher. Stay informed. Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child's class rules are.

Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration. Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment.

Reward progress in homework. If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., a game with you, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.

Ed.gov: Tons of links and helps from the United States Department of Education site.

Family Education Network: At this site you will find information about learning at home and at school; links to school websites and other related sites; updates on education related legislation; numerous activities and tips for parents; and a forum for discussion of related topics.

Positive Parenting: A website dedicated to providing resources and information to make parenting rewarding, effective and fun!

Parents as Teachers Resource Center: Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5.

ParentLink: A website whose goal is to support Missouri families in making the best choices possible for their families.

Parent Involvement Page on DESE: This page is on the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education site in the state of Missouri. There are lots of links for help with reading, math, information about Title I, etc.