We want our children to gain independence and take responsibility as a part of life. We hope our children will set goals and objectives for themselves.

Home-

work can be a great step toward that.

Finishing homework assignments can be a great experience in helping our children meet expectations -- it's all in the way we as parents handle it.

Whether children attend traditional educational settings or are home schooled, reviewing, completing and doing assignments in the house fall under ``parental responsibility.''

With that first basic academic homework assignment also begins the lessons in self-discipline and time management.

The involved parent and dedicated teacher want the child to have a positive experience that launches him or her toward lifelong learning. Homework is not a punishment. Reasonable assignments in the early grades support the learning activities the child experiences at school.

Homework is also a time the child and parent can interact in discussion. The parent reinforces the child's comprehension of a specific activity or lesson presented by the teacher.

It should be a positive experience that continually bonds the child to the parent and allows the child to realize that the parent values the work he or she is doing.

Generally a set time and quiet place prove most beneficial when doing homework. The parent is able to guide the young child as needed and hopefully check over the homework.

However, we should allow the child the satisfaction of doing the work himself. Our purpose -- from a beneficial perspective -- is to guide, support and encourage.

Homework assignments can serve as a springboard to discussions. If the child has a reading assignment, the parent figure can ask the child's opinion. A math lesson can be related to areas or things in the home.

For example, if the lesson involves very basic math, have the child count the cans of beans in the cupboard or divide the cake into fractions.

As the child grows and matures, he continues to require parental approval and suggestions.

As a teenager, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure there is a quiet study area without hovering over the young person. The strong foundation that early on reinforces the importance of completing assignments in a timely manner will follow the young adult as he or she enters the workforce and/or higher education.

If at anytime there is a negative feeling about an assignment or the parent and student are not clear about a lesson, please be sure to e-mail the teacher. Teachers want to know whether the student is struggling. They want to be aware if there are concerns.

Keep the communication open. With all of the tension busy parents experience each day, the last place they need more tension is in the home over an assignment.

P.S. A teacher from Florida City e-mailed Neighbors that many parents do not have computers. All Miami-Dade County public libraries offer free Internet e-mail for two hours daily. The parent needs a library card which can be obtained with a photo identification and proof of residence with the home address.

Most libraries offer a class (Spanish/English) to help the parent set up the free e-mail account. Call the main library at 305-375-2665 for more information.

Robin Sarantos, Ph.D., is recently retired from the Miami-Dade Public Schools where she had been a counselor at Coral Reef High. Send her your questions or suggestions for future columns to The Miami Herald, 7300 Kendall Dr., Suite 200, Miami FL 33156 or e-mail her at rsarantos@aol.com.

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