17 Oct 2008
SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Kate and Peter like to be proactive when it comes to their 11-year-old daughter, Rebecca. She has recently entered into Grade 6, and they are concerned that homework will increase for her this year. In the past, Rebecca has often stayed up late when completing projects. What can Kate and Peter do to help her get this school year off to a good start?
“Homework problems can arise because of poor planning, such as leaving things to the last minute,” says Babbette Westcarr-Dzivy, a public health nurse with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit‘s family health service. “Sometimes, however, children don’t understand the work, or they do it quickly because they would rather be doing something else, but there are ways parents can help prepare their child.”
Westcarr-Dzivy, along with members of a number of community agencies, is trained in Triple P- Positive Parenting Program, a program that suggests simple routines and small changes can make a big difference to families. And helping children develop good study habits and routines is one of the parenting issues that Triple P can help families with.
Westcarr-Dzivy suggests that parents help their children develop a good homework routine by giving them a little time to relax after school, set a time for doing homework and arrange a regular place for doing homework. Other ways to encourage homework completion include helping your child get started, praising your child for working on their homework and helping your child to solve problems for themselves.
“Show an interest in your child’s work and praise and reward your child when they have finished doing their homework,” says Gail Hamelin of Kinark, where staff are also trained in Triple P. “Children need encouragement for trying the task, so say something positive about their efforts rather than criticizing mistakes.”
Whether the issue is homework, friends and peer relationships, shopping with a preschooler or mealtime problems, Triple P helps parents improve child behaviour problems as well as develop positive attitudes, skills and behaviour that encourage children to realize their full potential.
Triple P offers support, practical suggestions and a plan of action for parents, in the way that they need it, whether that’s by talking to a trained person over the phone, in individual or group sessions, or with additional help. Because there is a broad involvement of a number of community agencies trained in Triple P, including the health unit and the Ontario Early Years Centres, most children’s services agencies can help parents get the service they need.
Triple P is widely in use throughout Australia where it was developed, and has been increasingly adopted throughout the world, including Canada.
For more information on parenting solutions for your children, call Your Health Connection 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 and talk to a public health nurse or check www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
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