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Why My Elementary School Kids Aren’t Doing Their Homework
Dear Teacher of the Little Ones,
You might have noticed that our household has been a bit lax with the homework packets over the past few weeks. I wanted to take a moment to clarify why, so you know we’re not just being forgetful or ignoring your well-organized worksheets.
Right now, I want my kids to have more time to simply be kids. It’s not your fault, of course. I recognize that due to various educational policies, your hands are tied when it comes to what you teach, when you teach it, and how it’s evaluated. I genuinely wish you had more flexibility in these matters.
While I don’t have a problem with homework per se—after all, as a professor, I’ve had my fair share of students grumbling about their workload—I see a distinction here. College students are in class for only a few hours each week, which necessitates more independent learning through assignments. In contrast, my kids are in school for around 35 hours a week, filled with instruction, recess, and special subjects like art and PE. During our last parent-teacher conference, you mentioned that my children are hard-working and excelling academically in reading and math. So, I’m not overly concerned about their educational progress. However, there’s more to this story.
Research consistently shows that homework in the early grades doesn’t significantly boost long-term academic success, nor does it cultivate responsibility at such a young age. In fact, too much homework can lead to burnout. Despite this knowledge, my children enjoy their worksheets, and we have spent much of the year cheering them on to complete their packets. But, life has gotten busy, and they’re starting to show signs of fatigue. They need a breather.
Instead of homework, here’s how we’re spending our time at home:
First and foremost, my kids love to read. They dive into new library books and we chat about the stories. They love sharing what they’ve read, and we ask questions to keep the conversation going.
We also read together. Each child gets their own storytime, allowing for more bonding and discussion about the material. We’re all about nurturing a love for reading.
Math isn’t left out either. My 6-year-old enjoys throwing math problems our way, like “What’s 300 plus 400?” It’s fun to explain how to break it down, and we incorporate math into everyday life through cooking and chores, where they help measure ingredients and count their allowance.
We engage them about the world around us, too. On our walks home, we observe nature, discussing seeds and how they grow into trees. When they have questions about how things work—be it cars or computers—we make it a point to explore the answers together.
Geography comes into play as well. My kids love asking about different places and distances. We have maps in the hallway, and it’s a joy to look at them together, discussing everything from climate to travel time.
Let me clarify—I’m not looking to homeschool. I value the experiences and knowledge they gain in school, both academically and socially. But when they’re home, I want them to be curious and engaged kids with parents who are involved.
Along with all this, they enjoy outdoor play, video games that sharpen their problem-solving skills, and creative activities like building with Legos and crafting with cardboard.
You’ve provided a fantastic foundation in reading, writing, and math, and for that, I’m truly thankful. However, for the remaining weeks of school, we will be skipping the worksheets. We’ve got this covered.
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Summary: The author explains why their elementary school children won’t be completing homework, emphasizing the need for more playtime and exploration rather than structured assignments. They highlight the benefits of reading, math conversations, and engaging with the world around them, while acknowledging the teacher’s efforts and the value of school experiences.