Last Thursday, I found myself burning the midnight oil, dying pasta in a rainbow of colors and scavenging for bottle caps, yarn, googly eyes, and buttons just to help my 5-year-old finish his homework. The intention behind this family-centered assignment is admirable, but I firmly believe that assigning homework to kindergartners is a significant misstep.
First off, my son doesn’t get home until 3:00 PM. Like any typical kid, he needs time to unwind after a long day at school. He runs outside, enjoys a snack, and releases some energy before we even sit down for dinner. After dinner comes bath time, prepping for the next day, and then finally, bedtime. By the time my kids are tucked in, it’s nearly 8 PM. Adding homework to this whirlwind only amplifies the stress levels in our household.
Homework may be suitable for older kids who can handle more responsibility, but expecting a 5-year-old, who still occasionally needs help in the bathroom, to take on assignments feels unrealistic. If the school genuinely wants to engage families in the learning process, I have a few practical suggestions:
- Stop sending home endless advertisements for products.
- Provide a simple list of activities at the start of the year, allowing families to choose what fits their schedules and budgets.
- Reintroduce nap time—trust me, moms would love that!
- Recognize that the chances of these kids attending an Ivy League school are slim, so let’s not pretend kindergarten is an academic pressure cooker.
- Make assignments optional.
- Consider giving an entire week, including the weekend, to complete any projects sent home.
- Let’s remember we’re talking about 5-year-olds here.
- Ask parents what they already do to support their child’s learning.
- Send home quick worksheets that take mere moments to complete.
- Or better yet, eliminate homework altogether.
A kindergartner’s school day is long enough. Can we allow them the freedom to come home and simply play? Let’s reserve discussions about handwriting and number recognition for parent-teacher conferences or slip a note in their backpacks for parents to review. But please, let’s stop assigning homework to these little kids.
I understand that some children may require additional support or specific accommodations that make after-school work necessary. I also get that not all kids are quick learners and may need time to finish what they started in class. However, when it comes to my kindergartner, I will always prioritize free play and family bonding over assignments that lead to frustration for both my child and me.
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In summary, let’s ease the academic load on our kindergartners and allow them the joy of childhood while still engaging in meaningful family activities.
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