Expert opinion
Nikki Bush, creative parenting expert and author of Tech-Savvy Parenting, weighs in.
Q: Is a no-homework policy the answer for stressed-out kids?
A: While it would be lovely to have less or no homework, there isn’t time in a lesson for enough repetition. A seasoned teacher would tell you that the first five minutes of a lesson are spent getting out books and settling the children. Then they lose the last five minutes packing up. That leaves 20 minutes out of 30 to teach a concept and get the children to put it into practice. Children master concepts through repetition, so additional practice is vital. It’s the same with learn- ing for tests. Children need to revise. Having said that, they need to revise using study skills that suit their own learning profile. Much of the misery around studying is caused by children studying in ways that are difficult for them and that don’t produce results. The day your child understands how their unique brain works best is the day you start seeing a confident learner who keeps improving. They experience more enjoyment and less stress when it comes to homework and learning.
Q: Do you think primary school children should be given homework?
A: I don’t have a problem with homework per se, but with the volume. Teachers need to communicate with each another. When every teacher gives the class a project that’s due for completion in the same week, parents and children are put under undue stress and pressure. The upside of projects is that children learn how to research on their own, and how to plan and complete a task within an allotted time frame. In primary school, formal reading homework is stopped way to soon – some time around Grade 4. Children who aren’t natural readers haven’t yet created enough of a reading habit. In an era of information overload, reading and comprehension skills are essential for children to be able to cope with any subject. Even if there were a no-homework policy, the formal reading component should be kept up.
Q: What about high school?
A: With the introduction of technology, blended learning and flipped classroom initiatives provide alternative, more creative ways of tackling homework in high school – which I love. The flipped classroom means lesson preparation is done at home by watching an online video that introduces a concept. Then the practice and repetition is done in the classroom where learners are able to ask questions. The nature of homework is changing and it suits this generation – providing they have internet access. The upside is that ‘homework’ takes less time, is more media-based and if a child doesn’t understand the concept, they can watch again until they ‘get it’ – in their own time. So slower learners and quick learners benefit without feeling embarrassed in front of the class.
Q: How can the amount of homework be better managed?
A: Parents need to help their children to manage their time. Create study breaks so children can have some fun – a quick card game with you or a swim. Have dinner together. At 17, my son told us the one thing that got him through matric was knowing we would spend time together each night. Online learning resources are great for practising subjects like maths and science.