Kids’ play button reset call

HOMEWORK headaches and “competitive parenting’’ are fuelling high anxiety in the young, Australia’s new National Children’s Commissioner has warned.

Commissioner Anne Hollonds called for children to be given more time to relax and play.

“In our very crammed lives, and with a crammed [ school] curriculum, we have to ask if there’s enough time for kids to play,’’ said Ms Hollands, who starts her new job on Monday.

“We tend to load up their days, and expect schools to cram a lot into those days.’’

She said teachers and parents might need to “reset expectations’’ about homework loads.

“Play is very important for the development and wellbeing of children,’’ she said.

“Many people today would say kids are experiencing stress as a result of too much to do.’’

Australian teenagers are set hours of homework every night, with Education Victoria recommending one to three hours per weeknight, plus six hours on weekends, for students from Years 10 to 12.

Other states and territories let schools set homework times — with many Queensland high schools telling senior students to study for at least 18 hours a week.

In South Australia, Gawler High School recommends an hour a night for Year 8 students, with up to three hours a night for Year 12 students.

The Hutchins School in Tasmania sets between 60 to 90 minutes of homework each week night for its middle school students.

Sydney Boys High requires between one and three hours a night, plus six hours on weekends, for years 10 to 12.