Parenting
By Emma Johnson
Updated: March 22, 2021
Originally Published: March 15, 2016
My 9-year-old is enrolled in a fantastic school. I’m grateful for his teachers, who do their best to create an engaging environment for the kids. While the students might spend more time seated than I recall from my own third-grade experience, they still manage to partake in physical activities, hands-on projects, and, of course, the joys of social interaction (read: goofing off with their peers).
I do wish there were fewer worksheets and less emphasis on Common Core math, but the teachers genuinely strive to make learning exciting. Having observed some of their lessons, I can see that the kids, including my son, are engaged and motivated. What more could I ask for?
However, the most challenging part of our day comes after school. With a six-and-a-half-hour school day, my son is understandably worn out. I remember those long days myself, and I know that by the time he gets home, he’s tired.
We don’t over-schedule after-school activities; I feel that school is enough, and he can enjoy extra activities on weekends or during the summer. When the weather permits, he might play outside, but structured activities are rare for us. All I want is for him to unwind and just be a kid.
But then comes homework—the arch-nemesis of both my child and me. It’s not that he has mountains of assignments; in fact, it should only take about 15 minutes. However, when he’s exhausted, and I’m equally worn out, those 15 minutes can easily stretch to an hour.
Here’s how it typically unfolds:
- 15 minutes spent convincing him to unpack his bag and show me his homework.
- 15 minutes of pleading, begging, and sometimes bribing him to start.
- 15 minutes wasted as he searches for a pencil, requests a snack, spills juice on his notebook, takes a bathroom break, and invents a telescope from a toilet paper roll to spy on squirrels.
- Finally, 15 minutes to actually complete the homework, although this could expand depending on how many breaks he takes to complain.
Honestly, I’d prefer he spend that time creating a toilet-paper telescope. I’d much rather discuss why that squirrel is so fascinated by birdseed, explore the diet of squirrels, and learn about telescope construction together.
There are countless ways he could be learning at home that don’t drain his enthusiasm. Here are ten activities I’d much rather my child engage in than homework:
1. Explore the Outdoors
Let him go outside and do something—anything. Kick around some rocks (could be an earth science lesson), or play with the garden hose (lessons in velocity and plumbing).
2. Read for Fun
Reading is a part of his homework, but if it weren’t mandated, I believe he would read even more than the required 20 minutes just for the joy of it.
3. Play with His Brother
Sure, they might bicker and wrestle, but I wish my older son had more quality time with his younger brother. His brother’s vivid imagination can inspire creativity and fun.
4. Practice the Recorder
The beloved recorder! While it may cause me a headache with its high-pitched sounds, he loves it, and I often tell him to stop playing to do his homework.
5. Do Chores (Even When He Whines)
This isn’t on his wish list, but adding a few extra chores could teach him responsibility and discipline far better than another worksheet ever could.
6. Experience Boredom
When he has free time, he often complains of boredom. Instead of rushing to fill that time with electronics, I’d love for him to learn how to turn that boredom into creativity.
7. Play Board Games
He has a closet filled with board games and art kits that usually gather dust. I wish he had more opportunities to dive into these activities after school.
8. Conduct Messy Science Experiments
He enjoys experiments like making volcanoes or slime. I’d much prefer these hands-on activities to homework any day.
9. Engage in Video Games
While I know he doesn’t need more screen time, video games can be both educational and engaging. He’s even started designing his own games.
10. Anything Else
Seriously, just about anything besides homework.
If the purpose of homework is to reinforce learning outside school, there are far more effective methods than endless worksheets. I don’t blame the teachers or the school; it’s a systemic issue. Research indicates that homework in elementary school often fails to achieve its intended goals, yet many educational systems seem oblivious.
Given the right environment, children naturally learn through play, exploration, and gentle encouragement. Unfortunately, homework can stifle that innate curiosity and desire to learn. There must be a better approach.
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In conclusion, as parents, we should advocate for more enriching and creative activities that promote learning in a way that excites and inspires our children, rather than draining their energy and enthusiasm.
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