In fall, we are all excited and committed to the education of our children. The clothes are new, paper crisp, pocket folders stiff and the school year's resolutions in place. We swear to do better jobs teaching, administrating and child rearing. Parents vow to make nutritious snacks every day, get field trip slips and money in on time, stick to a homework schedule and control quality like airport screeners control liquids.
Then something happens. The year begins; orientation and open house come and go and we realize our kids aren't going to be thrown out of school or flunk that year's grade level. It's almost Thanksgiving and the sailing is smooth. Teachers know what happens then. Things get a little loosey goosey. The assignments due on Tuesday come dribbling in on Thursday or Friday if at all. Kids say they're too busy, or had a sporting event; their sister had a dance recital or they had one of the hundreds of lessons they'll take and drop before 8th grade. Some do admit they tried doing homework while eating their pop-tarts or on the way to school in the car, but that overdue library book is still at grandma's. Oops.
Elementary school parents should be given the option of designating their homes as homework or homework free zones. This could be renewed every time the report card comes out as reality and schedules dictate. (Hmmm...that might work for car insurance, bike, dog and marriage license renewals too.) It could be referred to as the "Stuff Happens" clause.
If we give parents the choice about homework, they wouldn't have to feel guilty or obligated to fib, kids wouldn't have to suffer embarrassment, teachers won't have to feel frustrated, unsupported or ticked off. We understand that homework issues can ruin and even deny good family life. With parents working as much as they do, the value of homework needs to be weighed against other things of value. We've created an image of homework, and attributed power to homework that just doesn't exist. It's like the bagel, supposedly carrying the face of Jesus. Some people see it, some believe it to be true and bid high. Others just spread the butter and cream cheese and open wide. Unless your child is working fo points, money, food, pellets, ribbons or love, homework assignments don't offer many dividends. Sorry.
If you believe it's doing some good for you or for your child, great. Sign on, but then follow through. Look it over before it comes back to school and make sure it gets done on time. If you want your young child doing homework then remember your part in the deal. Little kids need gentle guidance. Try not to screw things up like teaching them block printing when the school uses D'Nealian or showing them how you do math when it bears little resemblance to what is being taught in class. Don't send them in with written assignments that you obviously did for them. Yes, we can tell.
If homework is an intrusion in your family life or causing stress and a newfound proclivity to swear, it's not worh it. Opt out. Really, most teachers won't mind at all. It will make life easier and most early childhood educators assign it just because the parents want it, anyway.
Think about what drives your need for homework. If it is to keep your child busy or give him something to do while your other child is doing homework, please just say no. If it's to free up time to prepare dinner or get some me time, fair enough. You can buy workbooks in just about any store, and many of them are really, really thick.
Time to rethink the value of homework to kids who not too long ago just gave up their sippy cups. People say it's good to establish a routine, develop study skills, get disciplined and establish a respectable work ethic. Yeah, okay. But there are other ways to do this. Self-discipline is about attitude and commitment. This can be carried through with the lessons, practices and extra curricular activities they are already engaged in. If you must have twelve hour a day school, teach your child how to memorize, read for meaning, write for many purposes, re-read, spot mistakes, listen and give feedback. Model reading at home, measuring, counting money, sorting and solving problems. These things come as a natural part of daily life. They're not thrown through the front window tied to bricks.
For young children and for their teachers, there just isn't enough bang for the homework buck to make the hassles worth it. When you meet your child's teacher in fall think about requesting the Stuff Happens Clause. See what the response is. You may be surprised. But don't decide now. Take the summer to think it over.
That's your homework.
