AT least two of WA’s top private schools have banned homework for younger children at weekends and during school holidays “to allow kids to just be kids”.
The policies are in line with international expert Phil Beadle, author, trainer, speaker and a former UK Teacher of the Year, who says the traditional form of homework is akin to abuse for primary school children.
via Top schools ban homework on weekends and holidays | Perth Now.
I think this is a great initiative, I see kids spending hours in the afternoon doing their homework when they should be outside enjoying being kids.
Is there any research that proves homework benefits young children? I hope this ban on homework makes its way to Sydney!
I have mixed views on this one! Yes, kids do need to be “kids”, however are we giving them more time to indulge into their high tech devices?
I think homework is fine on weeknights or sometimes weekends as it helps kids to re-enforce and solidify what they have learn in class, of course it should be set in moderation (ideally 1-2hrs), leaving time for kids to also relax and do other activities. But definitely NO homework on holidays, it’s called “holiday” for a reason!
And big thump up for new approach!! Its about time that homework should be developed in a way that is fun, stimulating and arouse one’s curiosity to learn, making kids doing the extra work because they like it and not because they are forced to 🙂
My kids go to an alternative school and have never done homework – as much to stop their parents doing it for them as anything else i think. It is certainly less stressful and has not put them behind their mates in mainstream.
Too much homework is just another reason for parents to get their acts together and demand a better deal for their kids. Anyone like to organise a parents strike???
I think the research does say homework does not create better outcomes – not sure where i read it though!
This is a great new approach, and one that will no doubt, have views split down the middle. Some parents might think that homework is good for kids to stay focused on their school work, as well as to keep them distracted from other social networking devices that young people are surrounded with in today’s society.
Although, the first thing I thought of when reading this article, is how good it can be for the promotion of kids getting healthy by spending their new ‘free time’ outside in the sun doing physical activities.
I think Sydney, and all schools, really need to consider this new approach and give it a try.
I think that if the ban for homework comes over here, there will have to be some serious re-developing of the teaching system. I tutor primary school school children in maths, and English, and I’ve noticed a decline in the teaching standards within these primary schools. Teachers are not engaging properly with their students (and students are sometimes too shy to properly engage with teachers) and as a result, I have seen frustrated parents trying to “teach” their children the things they need in order to complete their weekly homework, and as a result going to tutors and tutoring colleges. With children now encouraged into after-school extra-curricular activities like sport, this time often needs to flow on to the weekend. If not for this time outside of school, when will they learn ?
I am a student and I have had to complete three assignments over the most recent holidays. I did one assignment at my Nan’s house leaving less bonding time and stayed up until 11 pm the night before school finishing an assignment. In primary school I had to start homework in grade three (because of teachers) to get ready to go to High School and do Exams. I agree that Homework should be banned because I know that I get Stressed and that others get stressed.