Is homework good for our children?
Does it boost learning and encourage higher achievement? Or does it cause added stress in your kids’ already-over-scheduled lives?
Would a no-homework policy at your child’s elementary school hinder her academic progress?
And how can parents and teachers better manage students’ workloads to ensure their well-rounded development?
In a controversial, nationwide trend, a handful of elementary-school teachers have been going rogue by taking a “radical” approach to their curriculum, and saying “no” to homework assignments.
Experts such as pediatricians and WebMD medical editor Dr. Hansa Bhargava, believe that youngsters can benefit emotionally and physically when they spend more free time with their families, or engaged in creative play. While some parents love that idea, others feel homework should take priority.
The great homework debate
Ask any young New York City student if he likes homework, and most likely, with a few exceptions, the answer will be a resounding “NO!” In kids’ minds, there’s nothing good about the “H” word. After hours of working in school, who wants to come home to more work? In fact, if you ask parents, many would probably admit that they secretly hate homework, too.
The heated homework debate — for or against — is indeed sparking quite a bit of controversy lately, as elementary school students seem to be coming home with more and more assignments each day. Some parents are questioning whether all of that extra work is worth the extra stress. And many believe that their kids are getting much more homework than students did 20 or even 30 years ago.
Finding a balance
If too much homework is assigned, it can get overwhelming. Not only for youngsters, but for the entire family. Too little or none at all, and many parents worry that their kids aren’t learning enough or getting a good education.
Other parents are wondering if no homework is a better alternative.
Bhargava, who doesn’t advocate for removing homework from school curriculums, suggests parents look over all of those after-school activities they’ve got lined up for their kids. Is their schedule too overloaded with all the homework they’re getting?
As the mother of twin fifth-graders (a boy and girl), who get an hour and a half of homework every night, she knows first-hand what it’s like to help her kids balance school responsibilities with leisure time. Family time is crucial for kids’ emotional development, says Bhargava, who enjoys lots of it with her twins.
She says it’s all about balance.
“When we did a survey here at WebMD, the majority of parents reported that the number-one stressor for younger kids was homework,” she noted. “We do need to be mindful that there are other things going on in a child’s life as well; a lot of activities, screen time, devices. So, I think that competing priorities for that time after school is not just about homework.”
In fact, she says the idea of today’s kids having more homework to do than those of past decades is just not so.
“When you actually look at the numbers, there’s essentially not a lot of it,” she notes. “And interestingly, the amount of time spent on homework has been consistent over the decades. We need to put this in perspective based on the data.”
Kids have a lot going on, with competing priorities: activities, time with family and friends, and homework. And that’s much more so today than in the past. They are overscheduled. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, family time and creative play for younger children — when the brain is still developing — are essential.
To alleviate stress, Bhargava suggests:
• Re-examine your kids’ entire schedule and think about re-prioritizing or removing some activities altogether.
• Know your kids and how they handle homework — some take longer, and some do better resting or playing before diving in.
What can teachers do?
Teachers have rules dictated by the National Education Association, including a standard homework rule of 10 minutes per grade. Dr. Bhargava suggests they try to stay within those parameters, and “be more aware that there are other things going on in the child’s life, so they can be a bit more realistic.”
In an ideal world, homework shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all, because kids learn differently and handle assignments differently. So teachers could modify their workload with that in mind, says Bhargava.
She also suggests more project-based learning, in which students would get more real-world learning rather than filling out worksheets.
Of course, if your child is unable to complete the volume of assignments because of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, or any number of special needs or learning disabilities, by all means, advocate for your child.
“If you’re the parent of a child who isn’t able to handle homework, advocate for your child,” says Bhargava. “Absolutely talk to teachers and see what you can do. I would say, don’t take away homework, let’s keep it in regular parameters and make it reasonable.”
In the end, Bhargava says, academics, activities, and family time can happily coexist with proper balance.
“We have to have some trust in education and hope they do know what they’re doing,” says Dr. Bhargava, who agrees that homework isn’t the be all and end all, but reminds parents: “At this point in time, the bigger problem is just creating time for families.”
Tammy Scileppi is a Queens-based freelance writer and journalist, parent, and regular contributor to New York Parenting.
Additional reading
www.webmd.com/news/breaking-news/teen-stress
“The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing” by Alfie Kohn.
Did you know?
Studies have shown that having dinner together as a family three times a week has many benefits and can lead to more grounded children, and also to better education and less likelihood of later drug abuse.
“This dynamic can impact kids at all levels, but specifically younger kids,” Dr. Bhargava noted.
Author’s aside
When my smart, well-rounded son, Brian (now 23), attended elementary school, he usually got good grades, even though he hated studying. Then one day, he and homework became arch enemies.
My rule was: When he got home, he could have a snack and relax for a while (maybe watch a little TV), but he had to get his homework done, neatly and correctly. The system worked for a while, but as my son got older, getting him to start and complete assignments turned into a daily battle. Like most kids, he felt (somewhat justifiably), that homework was getting in the way of his valuable free time.
I spent many years stressing out about it: arguing, coaxing, negotiating, and trying to reason with him. I even offered rewards to get him motivated and excited about doing homework. Nothing seemed to work. He just wanted to get it over with.
We made sure his free time was spent doing what he liked. He loved baseball, video games, and spending time with friends and family. Weekends were great.
But when he got more homework, he couldn’t handle it, and his behavior caused a lot of tension at home. My husband and I would bicker a lot; both of us were working, juggling household chores, and always feeling tired. Looking back, homework was just one more thing that made life more difficult and stressful.
In addition, we had different parenting styles, which added fuel to the fire. My husband was more laid-back than me, and his “Leave him alone, it’ll get done” approach would drive me crazy. Back then, I was a “get it done, or else” helicopter mom who didn’t believe in that laissez-faire philosophy when it came to raising kids. Perhaps I should’ve taken the hands-off route, but then, who knows how many homework assignments wouldn’t have been completed or handed in on time?
It took me a while to figure out that my son actually resented having to do his homework. He seemed to have an arrogant, “How dare they make me do it, when there are so many other things I’d rather be doing now?” attitude.
If I could, I would have said “NO” to homework!
With all due respect to my son’s teachers, years later, I’m really grateful that all of those dreaded homework assignments are finally behind us!
