Research indicates that homework provides little to no benefit for young children. So why do we continue to impose it on them? As a parent of elementary-aged children, I believe it’s important to prioritize their well-being over mandatory assignments. Schooling is compulsory, but homework is not. Forcing my five-year-old to tackle additional tasks after a long day at school is a choice I can control.
Many parents today are voicing valid concerns: recess time is dwindling, and the pressures of standardized testing are affecting both students and teachers. In my local district, kids receive just one 20-minute recess each day and physical education only every four days. While we may not be able to directly influence school policies, we can set boundaries at home by refusing to take away our children’s valuable free time in the name of “responsibility” for homework.
Anyone who has tried to assist a child with homework knows it often turns into a drawn-out struggle to maintain their focus. Is not completing a worksheet of triangles or truck illustrations really going to hinder their academic progress? I doubt it.
You might have felt the absurdity of your child bringing home excessive homework, but did you know that opting out is an option? We often get caught up in a “follow the rules” mindset when dealing with educational systems, forgetting that we actually have choices. If we listened to the overwhelming evidence suggesting that homework is unnecessary for young learners, we wouldn’t see any significant negative consequences.
Heather Lawson—an advocate for play—argues in her article, “Why Parents Should Not Make Kids Do Homework,” that parents shouldn’t require their young children to engage in homework for lengthy periods each night. A thorough review by Duke University psychologist and neuroscientist Harris Cooper reveals that homework benefits vary by age: high school students gain from up to two hours of nightly work, middle schoolers see slight improvements, while elementary children are better off without it.
Parents are frequently overwhelmed by the homework assigned to support standardized testing, which often leads to frustration for both them and their children. A casual survey at school pickup would likely reveal numerous parents who have completed their child’s assignments for them. Anyone who claims they haven’t is probably not telling the truth.
Extensive research on homework’s impact on young children supports the notion that assigning homework in elementary school yields no benefits. Valerie Strauss, an education reporter for The Washington Post, notes that no studies have shown a positive correlation between homework and achievement in younger learners. It raises the question: why are we subjecting our children—especially as young as five—to homework when the evidence suggests it’s unnecessary?
We often comply with the system’s requirements, but perhaps it’s time to question the rationale behind homework assignments. Recently, a teacher’s no-homework policy went viral, highlighting a collective longing to relieve ourselves and our young children of this burden. With research indicating its ineffectiveness, it begs the question: why do we persist in this practice?
In a few weeks, I plan to inform my child’s teacher that he will not be participating in homework assignments. I anticipate a range of reactions, but I believe it’s necessary.
For more insights on parenting and education, you can explore resources like March of Dimes to aid in your journey.
Summary:
In summary, the ongoing debate over homework for young children raises significant concerns regarding its effectiveness and impact on their well-being. As parents, we have the power to choose whether to enforce homework, especially when studies indicate that it offers no measurable benefits for elementary-aged students. By prioritizing play and free time, we can foster a healthier learning environment for our children.