Homework Help Service
Essex libraries have launched a new homework help service for children. Aimed at children 9 and over. Children can e-mail enquiries to the homework helper via the homework helper website they will not be doing the homework for children and encourage out of hours clubs and parents and carers to take part. Opening hours are:
Mon-Thurs 3:30-6:00pm
Saturday 10:00-4:00pm
Sunday 1:00-4:00pm
Parental Guidance on GCSE Revision
Home help does make a difference
Parents can have a very active role in testing their children, helping them organise their revision and knowing what to do when they say ‘I’m tired, I can’t do any more’.
Top Tips
Encourage your child to:
• Create a revision planner by making a list of all the topics in all the subjects they need to revise, with a mix of subjects for each evening;
• Work in short bursts with rewards for maximum effectiveness;
• Revise ‘actively’ rather than sitting passively reading a book. Make lists and diagrams and cover the walls with Mind Maps;
• Use memory retrieval systems – mnemonics, memory pegging (associating items to memorise with, for example, items in their bedroom) or bizarre image association;
• Turn a bedroom into an effective study environment and shed TV and internet.
You can help if you:
• Work with your child at the planning stage. Reduce stress and anxiety by getting the revision planner right.
• Look with your child at the notes they have made after, say, 30 minutes. That way, they know they need to have something on paper.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Staying up ‘revising’ until 1am means something is wrong.