Q: My little girl's kindergarten teacher gives homework. It's just a few minutes a day but it stresses my daughter because she is a perfectionist. Should I leave things alone, or do the homework with her?

		Parenting 4 Kids Nationally accredited, 4 Kids Early Learning Network serves children and families throughout the Mon Valley. Through this column, 4 Kids staff members answer reader questions about raising children in the critical early years. E-mail questions for consideration to: questions@4kidsearlyed.org, or mail to: 4 Kids Questions, 445 Fourth St., Braddock, PA 15104.

A: You should work with your daughter on her homework. In fact, parents should be involved in their children's homework throughout the primary grades. In addition to making sure the children are progressing smoothly, it's a great time to bond -- after all, you've been away from each other all day.

It's important -- especially at your daughter's age -- that children enjoy learning and see it as a positive experience. It's likely that some creative methods can help keep your little girl engaged as she learns.

For example, you can turn the letters into songs or into characters that say their sounds. You can use shaving cream to write letters, or you can find letters in books or count with household items like macaroni or buttons.

If your daughter is flat out refusing to complete her homework, even with your assistance, build in a reward system where, for instance, she can earn extra "Mommy and Me" or "Daddy and Me" time.

Perhaps most importantly of all, consult with your little girl's teacher. In our experience, some children -- especially those who've just squeaked into kindergarten under the age cutoff -- are simply not developmentally ready for school-related tasks like homework. We wonder, too, if your child's "perfectionism" shows itself in other ways: Is she often afraid of making mistakes -- at home and/or in school? If so, that's an issue for you and the teacher to address.

It's also possible, of course, that the teacher's expectations are too high; you might speak with some other parents to see if their children are stressing about the homework.

Good luck -- and good for you for addressing the issue before it looms any larger.