Homework Helper: Mindmaps

To help your children with their homework, try using mindmaps.

Mindmaps are diagrams that represent the different sub-topics about a main idea, or theme. These sub-topics can be further divided into detailed points.

By having a mindmap diagram, the student will be able to picture the lesson better. Instead of just relying on paragraphs of text, the learner will be able to recall what color a particular word was, or where it was positioned relative to the other words or topics.

For example, in Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies), some Grade 3 students learn about the different land forms (anyong lupa). A great homework helper would be to lay the notes out in a diagram that looks something like this:

When your children try to remember their notes, for example, they will see in their mind's eye where certain words were placed and what color they had. Mindmaps also serve as good memory aids, too.

The next time you sit down with your children and help them with their homework, please remember that reading is not enough. Teach them how to create notes. Test their knowledge by asking them to re-create those notes or diagrams or mindmaps.

Once they can do this without having to refer to the textbook or to previously drawn diagrams, you'll know (and they'll know) that your children have understood the lesson.

Happy mind-mapping!

[ First posted on 07/26/2006 by Manuel Viloria ]