Homework. How much is too much?
Seriously, how many of you didn’t just roll your eyes or wince in pain knowing the HOURS your kids spend on homework – or, frankly – are YOU doing it- Just.To.Get.It.Done.
Many are boycotting homework for your kids – and the movement has gone viral. Here’s why.It started out simply enough.
From the Godley School District’s letter to parents.
But then it went viral. And you’d think it’s as if the Red Sea ,parted. Or in this case – the waves of opposing opinions crashed down into waves of scholarly opinion, educator experience, teacher talent and parental protest and protection crashing into a typhoon of testimony- pro and con.
Here’s the letter that 2nd Grade teacher, Mrs.Brandy Young, sent out.
This unleashed a torrential tide of tumultuous tirades.
Is there Homework Overload? And what is too much?
It’s a HOT TOPIC for parents and we explore the heated homework and what grade it gets.
Here’s today’s radio interview from me, The Empowered Mom – with Justin Barclay of WOOD Radio. What is too much? What is reasonable? What do kids need? And frankly, is it teaching to the test and all about funding and state and federal revenue?
According to the National Education Association guidelines – homework should be 10 minutes per night per grade. After that an additional 10 minutes per night for every grade thereafter.
However, right now, on average – Kindergartners are racking up 25 minutes each day. And 1st and 2nd-graders? 30 minutes daily.
We tackle the issues and address some answers – here’s your behind the scenes of the radio interview – on video. And even when WE have done our ABSOLUTE BEST HOMEWORK – technical issues teach us lessons.
————————–>
Here’s the bottom line: As parents, we need tips and tools to deal with the mounting pressures of homework.
Studies show – as the kids’ workload increases – so does the stress for the children—but also the parents!
In some cases, Kindergartners and 1st-Graders were getting 3 times as much as recommended.
Educators stress the importance of not turning kids OFF from learning. Kids have a natural curiousity and desire to learn. Tasks for the sake of tasking and busywork won’t encourage their love of learning.
It’s a balance of homework and activities that make learning fun and functional.
Here’s some tips:
- Communicate with the teachers – Find out expectations and the purpose of the activities.
- Establish a Homework Routine. – This is crucial. Children of all ages need the structure and routine.
- Help Your Kids Understand The Why. Homework is most often not just busywork – it’s a guide to learning lifelong study habits and a strong work ethic.
- Talk To Your Kids. Find out what is going on with them. How they feel. What they need. What they are learning.
- DO NOT do the homework for them. Yes, we all want it ‘to get done.’ But doing it for them not only stresses you – it teaches them you will do it for them and doesn’t teach the lesson within the homework, much less the life lessons they develop from doing homework.
Bottom Line: Is There a Balance? Absolutely. Is it always perfect? No. Does the age of your children determine the level and difficulty of the homework. You bet.
But as parents, don’t you want to EMPOWER your kids? I would bet you do.
Guide them but don’t goad them, support them but don’t solve it for them, encourage, educate and empower them.