A Child’s Homework or Projects for Parents?

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Written by Cryptowidow (cheese4ead’s wife)

This topic came to mind yesterday when a member of my extended family posted on Facebook stating

“yet another project for my 10 year old’s homework that I will be doing for them!”

As a teacher on the international circuit and a parent, I find the whole issue of homework an interesting yet frustrating one. I like to think that as a teacher I am mindful of the student and that the homework I set adds value to their learning. In my opinion, that is the only reason for homework and nothing else!

Primary School

Let’s start with homework in the Primary School! Should it happen at all? Well, for me it should only enhance the love of learning at this age and I really am talking below the age of 9-10 here. I think some Primary teachers have the views that setting projects are great for the child. I actually have the opposite view. These types of projects are usually set over a holiday period. This is time for a child to spend recharging their batteries and not having to think about school.

Setting a project has numerous effects:

• It can make the child resentful that their holiday time is being used and can create anxiety if they are due to go away on holiday.
• The helicopter parent takes control of the project and does it for the child (or as happened in the Middle East – the maid or gardener does it for them!)
• It creates unhealthy competition in the presentation of the project (competing against parent’s work!), this isn’t necessary in academia at this age.
• It generally creates anxiety during the holiday knowing that this has to be completed, or the parents are not aware and forget!
  
  
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For me, reading, writing and maths are the only things that are important at this age. Creating a love of reading is crucial. Being forced to read a certain number of books and then to be tested on them, this has an adverse effect! Use great maths websites and apps like Doodlemaths or Mathletics, to encourage maths knowledge using fun techniques. Encourage creativity only and get them into art, sport or an activity that they enjoy.

Late Primary

This is where my views start to change. I think this is a vital time for children to start to understand how to plan and organise. This to me is the vital stage of parents helping them to organise their time rather than it being about the content of the homework. Teachers should be mindful of ‘growth mind-set' and helping children to learn strategies for “learning for life.”

Encourage your child to plan to:

• Do one piece of homework per day
• Do the piece that is due next
• Use some time on a weekend to catch up on any other homework left so as to start the week afresh.

If your child learns these skills in Primary School they will only need a bit of coaching in Secondary School to get it right.

Secondary School

Some key advice:

• Adopt the same plans at the start of secondary as you had in primary.
• Try to help your child be independent.
• Try to be hands off unless the school contacts you about issues regarding homework.
• If your child complains about too much homework, sit with them and discuss what they have. It usually is the case that it isn’t too much but that the deadlines are too short. If this is the case, contact the school and politely enquire.
• Don’t let your child miss out on their passions because of homework. Help them to create balance.
• Object to the school about Holiday Homework, it isn’t necessary! Let them relax and recharge.

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The Exam Years

If you have followed all of the steps above, you should have created an independent learner. It is important that you find out when the actual exams and mock exams are at the start of each academic year so as to help plan your child’s strategy.

• Encourage (insist) on full attendance throughout these crucial years.
• Plan full holidays when there are no exams after the holiday.
• Insist with the school that these holidays are needed to recharge your child’s batteries and protect their wellbeing and no holiday homework should be set.
• The holidays or a major part of them should be spent at home before exams. (or in a place where your child can study with no pressure).
• Help them make revision plans, but encourage them to be proud of their end results and stick to it rather than forcing them to study.
• Always encourage them to choose the subjects for which they have a passion, it makes studying so much easier!

I talk to parents a lot about this topic and I see a lot of these issues happening. By the time they get to me in the exam years it is very difficult for them to change these things.

I hope that this has been helpful advice. I would love to hear your views.

CryptoWidow

CryptoWidow has taught British Curriculum Economics and Business Studies in 4 different countries in 11 years including the UK. She also has 18 years’ experience in the financial industry and 15 years as a parent. She is currently Head of Faculty and University Advisor in an international school in Bucharest.