Mrs M
yoda76To homework or not to homework? - that is the question!
November 20th 2006 05:29
In an article on the smh.com.au website last week the topic of homework was raised once again. The question – is homework relevant?
We have those on the negative who state that there is no evidence proving that homework makes for a smarter child.
We have those on the affirmative who state homework is healthy and teaches our children responsibility and self-reliance.
In the middle we have parents like me, who want their child to learn but don’t want to overdo it.
When I was at school (yep, I’m officially apart of that “in my day” group) I didn’t start getting homework until Year 5 or maybe Year 6.
My daughter who is in kindergarten has been getting homework this year. 3 reading books, 2 sight word lists, and 1 activity sheet to be completed over the course of the week. I don’t believe that she is being bombarded with an enormous amount of homework but it is still homework.
At present, my daughter loves doing homework; it makes her feel like she’s all grown up.
My concern is that the novelty will wear off just in time for when homework becomes important and then what? What happens if she peaks too early?
Or is it the opposite? Perhaps she needs to start doing homework in kindergarten to get her into the routine of it so when the good stuff kicks in, she’ll be ready. I’m not quite sure I buy this line of argument.
I have a friend who is a primary school teacher and when I asked her what she thought of homework she said, “It’s (insert expletive here). They’ll learn more by just simply playing and spending time with their parents than sitting down and doing shut up (activity) sheets.”
Now I’m sure that everyone agrees that reading is very important. Irrespective of what is happening at school I believe that children should have access to books and read for fun. As long as they are reading, they are learning. And as long as they are talking about what they are reading, they are cementing into their little minds what they have learnt from reading.
Starting kindergarten is a monumental step in itself, let alone dealing with homework. I do believe that homework has its merits but we shouldn’t place too much emphasis on it – not this early. I'm not ready. I'm having trouble keeping up with clean uniforms and packed lunches.
Even at university level, I learnt more in my tutorials, from my peers, bouncing ideas off one another than I did reading textbooks from cover to cover - okay not literally cover to cover; that would have been doing my homework.
We have those on the negative who state that there is no evidence proving that homework makes for a smarter child.
We have those on the affirmative who state homework is healthy and teaches our children responsibility and self-reliance.
In the middle we have parents like me, who want their child to learn but don’t want to overdo it.
When I was at school (yep, I’m officially apart of that “in my day” group) I didn’t start getting homework until Year 5 or maybe Year 6.
My daughter who is in kindergarten has been getting homework this year. 3 reading books, 2 sight word lists, and 1 activity sheet to be completed over the course of the week. I don’t believe that she is being bombarded with an enormous amount of homework but it is still homework.
At present, my daughter loves doing homework; it makes her feel like she’s all grown up.
My concern is that the novelty will wear off just in time for when homework becomes important and then what? What happens if she peaks too early?
Or is it the opposite? Perhaps she needs to start doing homework in kindergarten to get her into the routine of it so when the good stuff kicks in, she’ll be ready. I’m not quite sure I buy this line of argument.
I have a friend who is a primary school teacher and when I asked her what she thought of homework she said, “It’s (insert expletive here). They’ll learn more by just simply playing and spending time with their parents than sitting down and doing shut up (activity) sheets.”
Now I’m sure that everyone agrees that reading is very important. Irrespective of what is happening at school I believe that children should have access to books and read for fun. As long as they are reading, they are learning. And as long as they are talking about what they are reading, they are cementing into their little minds what they have learnt from reading.
Starting kindergarten is a monumental step in itself, let alone dealing with homework. I do believe that homework has its merits but we shouldn’t place too much emphasis on it – not this early. I'm not ready. I'm having trouble keeping up with clean uniforms and packed lunches.
Even at university level, I learnt more in my tutorials, from my peers, bouncing ideas off one another than I did reading textbooks from cover to cover - okay not literally cover to cover; that would have been doing my homework.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Encouragement but not compulsion until they are older is my view.
Books in the home is a big plus and probably visits to the Library and suitable places and materials for constructive play, learning to care and share and interact with parents siblings and others all encompass my views.
I guess in some disadvantaged homes it may be necessary or else the parents won't pay any attention, but they probably don't care whether the kid does its homework or not, but the kid may.
A well written, well expressed article.
Thankyou.
katyzzz
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Much appreciated.
Comment by Anonymous