Hellobee Boards

Depends what it is. She had to make a book about herself for Mandarin school and she could do that herself. She had to do a science project for pre-K and needed help. I had her come up with the ideas,she did all of the writing that we put up on the board, and colored the pictures. But I helped her lay out the board and with the little experiment that we did. I didn't go all out because I still wanted it to look like she did it.

Once they are officially in school (K and up), I really think the kids should do all of the work themselves, because they are skills they need to be learning. A parent can supervise, and give tips, but I think it's not helping the kids to actually DO some of the work.

However, often times a little art project will be sent home and will say "With your parents, ..... " and then I think the teacher is expecting the parents to do it/help. My 2.5 year old gets that type of homework, and I presume they aren't expecting a 2.5 year old to like, draw and color flags of their parents origins--way too complicated for a 2.5 year old.

My dad was way too involved in some of my assignments. For instance he painted a Native American portrait for my report cover. Then strongly suggested that my report become a historical fiction story. My assignment was to pick a Native American tribe write about how they lived and create a 3-D replica of their village. After I turned in my assignment my teacher had a meeting with my dad and I. After she was satisfied I did most (enough) of the work myself she had me read the story aloud to my class.

I plan to help out, but try really hard to make sure the ideas are coming from my LO.

I plan to let the kids do most/all the work themselves. It's fine to help but I hate that parents are doing most of the work these days and the children aren't learning anything.

The 100 day shirts/projects really annoy me and I don't have a kindergartner.

Yes we can tell. And the kids usually rat you out anyway...even if you tell them to lie.

I like that parents are on hand to assist but I'd much rather see a totally kid project than a parent done one. It's supposed to be for the kid's growth. The parent has already had their chance when they were in school! Plus it encourages dependency and bailouts.

So far in K and 1st grade the only projects have been an "All about me" poster and "100 days of school"

Both times I watched DS do them and made suggestions but he did all the drawing, coloring, pasting, etc.

I imagine as he gets older and they get more complex we will help more

@honeybear: DD does 100 days of school in Pre-K and DS does it in public school too! So yes, common here

I plan to only assist when asked. I'm teaching my 3-year old that mommy and daddy are happy to help but our help is to be requested politely and not automatic.

Also, as a public children's librarian, my plan is that any assignments I hear about at the last minute will be on them. If they need to go to the library to do research, awesome. If I hear about a big paper the night before it's due, we aren't making an emergency trip. I can't tell you how many reports I wind up helping with at the last minute because the kids never told the parents and my plan is to use that as a teaching lesson to my kids and not bail them out.

I don't remember my parents ever really helping with my homework except showing me how to use the Internet (before Google!) and we had an encyclopedia set at home too.

@looch: well like I said he is only in 1st grade so who knows but in my head I guess I think it will be harder - like right now he does addition in math which is simple and he can do alone but once you get to fractions and word problems I think they need help (I see people asking for math help on FB all the time!) So, I imagine projects would be more complex too!

Only time will tell!