Monday, February 23, 2009 9:39 PM CST
This homework help starts with parents
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com
Sometimes Mom and Dad need help with homework, too.
It’s a common practice that parents help with their child’s homework. But if it has been a while since the parents have done this type of brain work, it may not come easily.
Sylvan Learning Center, located at 709 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, is hosting a series of free math homework seminars called “Forgotten Math for Parents.”
Audra Berg, owner of Sylvan Learning Center in Mattoon, said, “This free, fun and interactive seminar will help you overcome your math fears — so homework time with your child isn’t quite so scary.”
Parents will travel from station to station, revisiting some of the math skills they may have forgotten, while being guided by Sylvan teachers along the way, Berg said.
The first free seminar was offered Wednesday in Mattoon. The next math seminar is planned March 18.
The learning center also will offer a series of test prep seminars, including for tests such as the ACT and SAT, and dealing with test anxiety. The next test prep seminar is set for March 25.
Those interested may call Sylvan at 235-0008 to register for either of these free seminars, or to learn about future seminars.
Pat Tinsman of Shelbyville has used the learning center and said helping parents and grandparents is always a good thing when it comes to homework.
“A lot of the math has changed since we went to school,” Tinsman said. “If the program can help the parents and grandparents, then it can help the kids.”
Depending on the response, Berg said the center may offer additional seminars.
“We see math being easily forgotten with some parents. Sometimes when you don’t use it as much, it can be easily forgotten or lost,” Berg said.
The session includes information about the importance of math to a child’s success, what research shows about the importance of math, and the following topics: integers, fractions, decimals and percentages, algebraic equations, graphing basics, exponents and the use of calculators.
Berg said she offered these sessions at the Springfield learning center and it was well received.
“We push for this because it is free, and it gives us ways to help parents who want to help their kids,” she said.
At Math-And-Reading-Help-For-Kids.org, tips for parents include that there are three important people involved in a child’s education: teachers, tutors and parents.
“As the parent, you are the most important player because you are the line of communication between the teacher and the tutor,” according to the Web site.
The information at the site stated that with tough economic times, sometimes a tutor isn’t affordable, so having parents helping with homework may be the only other option.
Tinsman said she brings her granddaughter, Taylor Armstrong, 15, of Windsor to Sylvan Learning Center for math and reading tutoring.
She said Armstrong’s school work has “very much improved,” and she gets monthly progress reports.
“They have helped her to where she knows she can do this now, and she seems to enjoy it,” she said.
Berg added that this is even a more important time in our era to help kids get good grades, because good grades can lead to college scholarships.
“During these economic times, what better opportunity can we give our children than to help them be successful at school?” she said.
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.
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