For anyone who has been to school, you will have memories of homework. And most of them are probably not fond memories. Do our kids really need to have homework? This is a debate that has been going on for about one hundred years! Yes, you read that right, ONE HUNDRED years. So, it’s not new. 

Homework has gone in and out of fashion over the years. There have been times when there was a push for no homework, but as pressure increases for better grades and rankings so does the push for more. 

RULE OF THUMB

There is a general rule of thumb when it comes to homework that says it should be 10 minutes per night per grade. So, first graders should have 10 minutes a day. By 6th grade that means 1 hour (60 minutes). Is this followed? Some teachers do and some don’t. I have worked with kids who have hours of homework in 4th grade and it was overwhelming for them. While it might not have been the plan for it to be that long, some children struggle and it takes a lot longer than the teacher might plan for.

Not every student learns the same. A 2015 study found that primary school children actually received three times the recommended amount of homework — and that family stress increased along with the load they were given to do at home.

WHY GIVE HOMEWORK?

As you research homework you will see both sides presented and pros and cons given. Some will even say “potential harm” rather than cons. That is a strong statement. Though, let me ask, why is homework even given?

Here are some reasons for giving homework:

• It creates a bridge between school and home
• It helps you practice with what you’ve learned in the classroom
• Teaches lessons beyond just what’s taught in the classroom, like responsibility, organization and prioritization
• Can help you become a better student
• It helps teachers to cover what needs to be taught in class but time constraints mean less instruction time

PROS AND CONS OF HOMEWORK

Let’s look at the pros and cons. And remember that different studies come up with different conclusions. Some studies say homework can be harmful to mental health or has no impact on grades. Others will say that more will produce better grades. It’s very easy to find information that will support your position.

PROS 

• Provides practice opportunities
• Gets parents involved
• Teaches time management, study habits and life skills
• Allows for more learning time
• Reduces screen time
• Improves student achievement

CONS

• Too much can cause high stress
• Highlights digital inequality
• It can be busy work
• Eats into family time
• Can create conflict between grown ups and kids (esp when not understanding concepts)
• Can encourage cheating to try and limit the amount of time spent on it
• Added pressure for grades
• Has not been proven to provide results
• Reduces play, recreation and down time

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

This is an important question. Is there too much homework given, particularly for younger grades, especially in light of data that is showing there aren’t enough results? Does homework cause problems for your family and relationship with your child? If you feel that your child is receiving too much or is taking too long, then it is definitely worth a conversation with your child’s teacher. It should not be causing tears, stress, anxiety and taking a long time. Homework should be a refresher, not a stressor.