Research shows that the most effective way children learn is through the lessons they receive at school and through other activities directed by adults or parents. Playtime throughout children’s schooling is essential because it gives them a break from it all. Growing evidence suggests that homework assignments have little to no positive effects on children’s academic growth and can actually be counterproductive. Here are 7 arguments for giving children less homework:
- More Rest Equals More Success
Tired students have a hard time paying attention in the classroom. In biological terms, children require more rest than adults and we are often depriving of mental and physical rest by overwhelming them with take-home assignments. Fewer hours spent doing homework is linked to greater focus and success.
- Free Time Allows them to Grow
Students often think of the time they are in the classroom as a sort of punishment or detention. A full class day and workload can give students negative feelings about learning in general. Add several hours of homework to do at home and their motivation to succeed begins to dwindle.
- Homework Creates Lots of Stress
There are many things that create stress in our lives and when children feel pressured to complete their assignments and to do so with few errors, they experience a similar type of stress that can lead to developmental and health issues. It’s important they don’t get overwhelmed. To help children reduce stress, parents can hire professional assignment assistance, so kids can get guided help and lead a happier life.
- Improves Overall Mental Health
Related to the last point, mental health is directly linked to the amount of pressure we feel when we are working. It’s hard for students to retain information when they have to spend hours doing work after a full class day.
- Family Time is Crucial to Growth
Children should be encouraged and have the chance to spend time with their families in the afternoons and evenings. This is important to establishing structure at home and strengthening familial bonds that can last throughout their lives. Taking this away by giving too much work they may suffer in other areas.
- Does Not Measure Knowledge
There is very little evidence that take-home assignments are accurate tools for measuring how much a student understands and has learned. Tests and classroom performance are better tools for this because students don’t approach their homework as anything more than something they must do.
- Prevents Children’s Confidence
When a student receives low scores on their assignments or experience difficulty completing them on time, they begin to lose confidence in themselves. When this happens they begin to struggle in class and can even struggle to deal with personal situations outside of school.
When children receive less homework, they are afforded opportunities to develop emotionally, physically, and mentally in ways many of us never had. The stresses of today’s fast-paced world are a detriment to one’s growth and stability, and homework assignments are contributing to this problem. We may want to rethink the role that take-home assignments have on children and come up with better more positive solutions to educational programs that benefit the future of our societies.