I hated homework as a kid and really hated it when my kids had homework as with three kids it kept the evenings super busy and there was just no relax time.
Dinner, homework, baths and off to bed.

I use to like homework, I like learning and getting things done

Some schools insist on children reading to their parents. I think parents should show some interest in what their child is learning at school but not necessarily every night. If you normally read to your child at night, encourage your child to read to you first. At any age homework should be consistent with what your child is learning at school – not things that are in no way relevant – and not suitable for their age and certainly not things suitable only for a child 2 or 3 years older than yours. I personally know of one school that does that.

Setting up sensible and beneficial homework routines when younger is a positive habit when further study is undertaken when children get older. Study outside of school then becomes a routine reality rather than a shock. It does need to be in moderation and age appropriate too.

I think homework is a part of a fundamental part of life.
Yes the child goes to school and learns there. But only if the learning is repeated both at school and home then only the information will set in.
If recreational sports or family time interferes with about half an hour of homework after school. It seems like a lame excuse.
I look forward to my daughter bring home homework then i as a parent can help her and know what she is learning at school..and what is expected of her. Getting rid of homework will be a bad mistake.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 30 Aug 2018 , 3:41 pm

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  I agree – it is a fundamental!

I think homework is helpful because it teaches children how to manage their time in order to finish their homework.

As a retired teacher with both primary and secondary experience, I can tell you that homework is one of the banes of a teacher’s life and there is not documented evidence that it is at all helpful, in the normal course of education.
Firstly, the call for homework is driven by parents not by educators. Parents who seem to think that if a child has no homework the teacher is not doing the job.

Secondly, it is often detrimental to family dynamics. It cause stress. ESL families struggle. It robs kids of play time.

Thirdly, there is no way of knowing if the child did the homework or if the parent did it. This is particularly true of school projects in primary school.

Finally, some kids are taught incorrect informaton or methods from well meaning parents trying to help their child.

There is a place for out of school work. If a child didn’t grasp a concept or was away from school for some time, it might help. If parents want a high achiever to enter a selective school (but don’t ask the teacher to do the extra work, pay out of school tutoring). But in general, it is a waste of time.

I do know that when my son started Year 7 and full secondary school homework hit, it was such a shock to his system and took him quite a while to settle in and manage the workload.

I honestly think they should just get a home reader and maybe in grade 5 start to introduce a little bit of homework-but not too much. Let them be kids for longer.

Some children thrive on homework, some it is a real chore.

Nah, I think the homework at primary schools here is too much, although it differs per school. Sure some daily reading is good, but I think kids can learn a lot by playing.My year 7 and 8 kids don’t have a lot of homework either, also that differs per school.

I don’t believe in homework, the teachers at my kid’s school are not setting homework because something asn’t finished in class, they are setting homework for things they haven’t even taught in class yet, (high school) and don’t even get me started on holiday homework

Getting my son to do homework just makes us all miserable.

I agree. Reading time every day should be more than enough. And maybe working at the time tables because practice would be very beneficial.

I live in qld. My children are now enrolled in a school that has minimal homework. Every year level has to read. My year 6 son reads for 40 minutes a week. My year 1 daughter has to read 4 books a week they send home, she also has sight words to work on. That is all unless they have failed to complete work in class then that gets sent home. I dont have to argue with my son anymore but i am worried how next yr being in high school with affect him having homework for different subjects.

I think teachers should set homework only if a child is falling behind in class, or is having difficulty with a particular lesson and needs more practice.

Perhaps none for under year five, let the kids be kids, this younger group could perhaps discuss current community news and events on a Monday. Other days they could be asked to present some handwritten work, nothing too long. Others could perhaps be asked to revise one subject per day or present a short story or composition or something that requires hand writing skills. Children are so tired at the end of the day, especially if they have home chores or sports or hobbies after school. Kids need to be able to relax after school. When I was at school we were not overloaded with homework. When my children were at school they were overloaded, it was overwhelming and caused much frustration and tears. Kids do not need the added stress. I remember my kids having anxiety attacks over homework and one dropped out she just refused to go to school. She did her highschoolcertificate as an adult student and then went onto university and excelled at her own pace. One of my children would be up late at night and or up very early in the morning. There is more to life than schoolwork to be done at home.
I expect it is easier now with computers etc. Not all children are acedemecs, not all want a University degree either.
Perhapschildren can be children for longer by them not starting school until age seven, when they are more mature and ready. I actually have thought that with all the violence in our schools and cyber bullying , education in schools will come to an end soon. Students will be homeschooling at their own pace and in areas that interest them. It would be much safer.

I think some schools go way to far with homework. My nephews and nieces don’t seem to have any time to just be kids. The oldest is 10. I think the occasional bit of homework isn’t bad but overloading kids is unreasonable.