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The Homework I Wish My Child Brought Home From School
Every Friday, my first grader comes home with a blue sheet detailing her homework for the week. It’s filled with a long list of spelling words, daily reading comprehension tasks, math workbook pages, and a note to read for 20 minutes daily while practicing addition and subtraction facts each night. By the next Friday, that same blue sheet returns to school, signed and with checks next to the completed work.
If we manage our time well, homework takes around 30 minutes each night, not including the reading we do together before bed. But if we fall behind or if I’m managing everything solo because of my partner’s work travel, things can get hectic. Thursday night often finds us scrambling to finish everything, with quick spelling reviews over breakfast becoming the norm.
I get it—teachers are under immense pressure, and schools are navigating a challenging educational landscape. I want my child to learn and appreciate the value of education, but I can’t stand the idea of 6-year-olds having homework, especially when it’s mostly worksheets and memorization. I dislike that during the few hours between school and bedtime, kids must sit still with a pencil when they’ve already been learning all day. I wish for homework to be more child-led rather than adult-directed.
If I could make one wish, it would be for schools to follow the lead of P.S. 116 in Manhattan and eliminate homework for younger grades. Instead of the usual blue sheet, I’d love it to say something like this:
- Explore Outdoors
Get your hands dirty! Pick flowers, collect pebbles, and observe nature. Race snails and give them fun names. - Embrace Boredom
Let boredom spark creativity. Invent a new language or a make-believe school for your siblings. - Enjoy Solitude
Spend time without adult supervision. Arrange your toys, ride your bike, or simply daydream. Experience the joy of being alone with your thoughts. - Read
Dive into any reading material—cereal boxes, magazines, or books. Read to your little siblings or get lost in a story without the pressure of logging pages. - Create
Make something! A dirt cake, a cardboard puppet theater, or a smoothie. Share what you create or toss it out and start fresh—just don’t expect a grade. - Write Freely
Write letters, poems, or even doodle your thoughts. Forget about grammar and just let your imagination flow. - Contribute
Help around the house, pack your lunch, or launch a debate at dinner. Feel the pride that comes from contributing. - Rest
Cuddle up with your favorite toy and drift off to sleep without worrying about homework. Dream big and recharge—rest is crucial for growing kids.
As a rule follower who respects our school and teacher, we continue to tackle that blue sheet weekly. My daughter completes her assignments while I reluctantly support her. I sign my name, feeling complicit in a system I worry is ineffective at best.
I wish for more childhood adventures and less homework, for more learning through play and fewer assignments. What about you? For more on this topic, check out this post on home insemination for tips on nurturing creativity in the home and learn about boosting fertility for those on the parenting journey. Also, if you’re curious about fertility, this resource offers excellent information.
Summary:
This article reflects on the struggles of balancing traditional homework with the desire for more meaningful childhood experiences. It advocates for creative, exploratory activities that foster learning and growth rather than rote memorization and worksheets.