Your child comes home with a sheet of English homework. You cannot read it. This is a common situation for many families at SSELC, and it does not have to be a problem. Supporting homework time is not the same as doing the homework. Five simple habits can make a real difference — and none of them require you to understand the assignment.
1. Set a regular time and place
Children work best when they know what to expect. Choose a fixed time after school — thirty minutes after a snack, for example — and the same quiet spot each day. A clear routine removes arguments about when homework starts. You set the structure; your child does the work.
2. Sit nearby
You do not need to watch every word your child writes. But being in the same room sends a clear message: this time matters. Your presence helps children stay focused. If they get stuck, they know you are there, even if you cannot explain the answer in English.
3. Ask your child to explain what they are doing
This habit does more than it seems. When a child explains an assignment out loud — even in Burmese or Shan — they often find their own answer. Ask simple questions: what does the teacher want you to do? Can you show me the example? You are not testing them. You are helping them think.
4. Check for completion, not correctness
You may not be able to mark the answers right or wrong. That is the teacher's job. Your job is to check that the work is finished. Is every question attempted? Are the blanks filled in? Is your child's name on the page? These small checks teach children to take their schoolwork seriously.
5. Use the homework book as your communication tool
Teachers write notes, stamps, or stickers in homework books and planners. Check these every evening. A stamp means the work was seen. A written note means the teacher wants to tell you something. If you are unsure what a note says, send the book back to school with a question written in your own language — the school can help from there.
None of these habits require you to speak or read English. They require consistency, attention, and the message that school matters. That message is one every parent can give. To learn more about how SSELC supports students and families, visit our programs page.