Do you feel like your child has too much homework? Have there been nights where your child has stayed up late to finish their assignments; shed tears over feeling bombarded by homework, or spent weekends and vacations spent catching up on assignments?
You and your child are not alone.
A recent study published in The Journal of Experimental Education surveyed more than 4,300 students from 10 high-performing public and private high schools in upper-middle-class California communities. The research showed that excessive homework is associated with high stress levels, physical health problems, and lack of balance in children’s lives.
In a literature review, Harris Cooper, a leading homework researcher, “examined more than 100 studies on the effects of homework, and concluded that there is little evidence that homework at the elementary school level has an impact on school achievement. Studies at the junior high school level have found some modest benefits of homework, but studies of homework at the high school level have found that it has clear benefits.”
Although there are mixed views on the effect of homework, many believe that homework can improve responsibility and independent behavior. These “habits of mind” serve children well, not just in school, but throughout life.
Specifically, homework helps children learn how to plan and organize tasks, manage time, make choices, and problem solve, all skills that contribute to effective functioning in the adult world of work and families.
Would you like to design a tailored homework plan with achievable goals for your child? Contact us to schedule an appointment, or find out more.
