Should Homework Be Compulsory For Kids?
This is a hot topic and one that parents and teachers find themselves defending passionately. You are either for or against and each side raises some great arguments.
As a child I remember coming home from school, unpacking my school bag and doing my homework. It was the standard thing to do, part of our routine and it never once crossed my mind that I shouldn’t have to do it. Today however, parents are advocating for their child in this debate – which begs the question – should homework be compulsory for kids?
PROs to Homework
There are several benefits to homework being compulsory for kids as many parents and teachers would argue. They include:
Parents stay up to date – Homework allows parents the opportunity to stay up to date with what their child is learning in class. It also gives them the chance to help and encourage their child with their homework and see them do well.
Improves memory – More often than not, homework is revision on what has been taught in class. It has been argued that revising it for homework helps children to remember and understand the tasks at hand better and more clearly.
Develop study skills – Homework introduces kids to the study skills that they will use throughout their life; high school, university and the workforce. As the years of schooling, homework and assignments continue, your child will develop these study skills.
Take responsibility – Homework gives children the opportunity to take responsibility and develop their independence. They know they have a set amount of work to complete before Friday and there are potential consequences if they don’t reach these expectations. This is a skill that will be extremely valuable for them as adults.
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CONs to Homework
There are always two sides to every story and along with the pros comes the cons of kids doing homework. They include:
Stress – Children can find it stressful when they receive homework that they don’t understand or struggle to complete it on time. Sometimes it is simply too much for them to handle after a long day at school.
Exhaustion – After spending hours at school learning new things they are mentally and physically exhausted. Adding extra work to their day can often lead them to become overwhelmed with the smallest of problems in front of them. This can then create emotions to run high and result in less chance of the homework being completed.
Prevents family time – Homework prevents valuable time with the family, after school activities and simply taking away the free time that kids have to just play. Children and families need this time to enjoy and connect with one another.
Performance – Setting homework for a child and expecting them to complete it does not ensure they will show improved knowledge. Some kids struggle in class and naturally parents will try and help them with their homework when their child is having difficulty. But often parents have been taught a different way to work out or solve the answer which leaves the child even more confused than they were originally.
There are strong arguments and reasoning for both for and against homework being compulsory for kids, but at the end of the day it isn’t just about the pros or the cons. The benefits one child may gain from homework could leave another kid stressed and upset. The negatives one family may feel could be perfect for another. It is about what works for each individual family, teacher and child.
Do you think homework should be compulsory for kids?
Kell Kelly
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