Let’s get straight to the point: young children shouldn’t be buried in homework. As parents, we often dream of having a few hours of peace while our kids keep themselves entertained. But alas, we can’t just lock them in their rooms (trust me, my partner would never go for it). It would be nice if we could find a way to keep them occupied without them constantly needing our attention.
When I come across articles like the one in The Washington Post, where parents express their frustrations about the overwhelming amount of homework their older kids are assigned, I can’t help but think, “Count me in!” However, there has to be a balance between chaos and confinement. I know it exists because when I was a kid, we found that sweet spot.
Homework is a staple of the American educational system. It fosters responsibility and independence, and let’s face it, our already stretched-thin teachers can’t supervise our kids every second of the day. Homework teaches kids valuable skills. But back in my day, I don’t recall being swamped with assignments in elementary school. Occasionally, I’d tackle a diorama or a book report, but I certainly wasn’t spending four hours at a desk memorizing Common Core standards. Instead, I enjoyed “Scooby-Doo,” played “Star Wars,” and snacked—just like my son does now.
Next year, however, my son will begin first grade, and I know that means homework is coming for both of us. First graders can only do so much alone, which is basically “not much at all.” I’m still helping him with the basics, and now he’s expected to grasp concepts that can be confusing even to adults? And to sit still and ‘show his work’ for hours? Come on!
Recently, my son celebrated his “100th Day” of school—a milestone I had never heard of until now. Every parent I know spent hours helping their kids with projects involving 100 items. But let’s be real: these projects were mostly completed by the parents, not the kids. Our little ones are just five years old! My partner and I spent a long time gathering items for this assignment, and the only thing our five-year-old has 100 of are boogers!
This is just the beginning. Today’s kindergarten is yesterday’s first grade, and the homework load in elementary school has escalated to what used to be middle school standards. While it’s important to instill the habits and values associated with homework, do young children really need to be burdened with it? Kids today have more structured lives than ever, and once school starts, we barely see them until dinner, thanks to after-school activities and playdates. They need time to play, and we need that time with them as well. Unfortunately, homework cuts into that precious time together.
It’s perplexing that our kids are too young to play outside alone but somehow expected to handle hours of homework independently. Are they kids or not? My son will have plenty of time to work as he grows up—he doesn’t need to start now. He certainly shouldn’t be stressed about it. He’s already nervous about sitting next to Lily—what if she asks him to marry her again?! Our kids have enough on their plates. Can’t we give them a little more time before we start piling on the pressure?
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Summary:
Excessive homework can be detrimental to young children and their parents, creating stress and taking away valuable playtime. Finding a balance between educational responsibilities and the need for free time is essential for healthy development.