Have a Schedule
Homework is a part of every student's life regardless of special need. This is true for the preschool child who is working on speech words; it is true for the high school student with a learning disability who is approaching final exams.
Your family may have many obligations, including sports, clubs, and community activities. Perhaps you have more than one child. Create a homework schedule to help your entire family understand the importance of homework in your child's learning. Just as a soccer team has designated times to practice and specific things to do, so it is with the child with special needs and schoolwork.
Routine Homework
Some assignments are routine. Your child's teacher may ask that students turn in vocabulary definitions every Wednesday. Because this is a routine assignment, you can space out the needed work. By dividing the list of words over several days, your child can meet the Wednesday due date and yet have enough time to complete unexpected assignments.
Unexpected Assignments
Every classroom has some assignments that are not routine. The moment that you read your child's assignment notebook may be the first time you know that there are two math worksheets for homework. Make sure your child's homework schedule includes time for unexpected work.
Big Projects
Big projects should be scheduled over time. Guide your child in choosing a project that is challenging but doable. A child with a hearing loss may have difficulty writing lengthy reports, so a photo essay with captions would be a much better match for the child's visual focus.
Working on Needed Skills
Basic school skills such as reading sight words and remembering math facts can be a struggle. Plan a regular time to work with the child on these skills. Keep three things in mind when working on these skills:
Make sure that the material is at an appropriate level.
Plan a small amount of time to practice on a regular basis.
Vary the way the practice is done by using a variety of materials: flashcards, games, worksheets, computer activities.
The key to a successful homework schedule is to have a realistic plan that you follow consistently.
