Parents, you are not stupid

Just like Pinterest can make parents feel inept, teachers can make a parent question his or her intelligence in a heart beat.  My oldest daughter called me about Parker's math homework.  I didn't fully understand what she was asking so I had her send me a picture of it.  See picture.  After seeing the picture I explained what Parker was to do.  It isn't that Emily isn't smart, she was just reading a lot more into the assignment, making it much harder than it was.  Luckily she didn't ask my opinion of the actual task because I might have needed to use the stupid word.  Seriously, if we want kids to understand patterns, let them find patterns around the house to replicate.  There are patterns on paper towels,  placemats, towels, lots of places.  Thankfully she didn't ask my opinion.

Sometimes as an adult we try to make the homework so much more than it is. Homework in Kindergarten should be face value.  Not complicated.  More importantly the child should be able to explain what they are to do.   And really, they should be just reading.  Google research on homework.

There are times when the directions make sense to a teacher but not a lay person.   When I was still in the classroom I had my husband read my directions before I sent them home.  I figured if he understood them, all parents could.  

If your child brings home an assignment that doesn't make sense to you, before you beat yourself up, call or email the teacher.  Better yet, send it back with a little note that says, I am so sorry, I wasn't sure what he was to do.  :)  Always attach a smiley face.  That makes everything better!