Every Friday, a bright blue sheet makes its way home with my first grader, Alex. It outlines her weekly assignments: a dozen spelling words, daily reading exercises, math workbook pages, and reminders to read for 20 minutes each day while also practicing addition and subtraction facts before bed. By the next Friday, that same blue sheet returns to school, signed by me with a checkmark next to each completed task.
If we manage our time well, homework occupies about 30 minutes each evening, excluding reading (which we enjoy together at bedtime). However, if we miss a night or fall behind—especially when my partner is away and the demands of parenting three kids take precedence—the work can quickly pile up. Thursday nights often turn into a frantic scramble to finish everything. A quick spelling review over breakfast has become a familiar routine.
I understand the pressures teachers face and the challenges in an underfunded education system. I genuinely want my child to master spelling, and I even find joy in helping her with Common Core math worksheets (shhh, don’t tell!). In our household, education is highly valued, not just as a means to college and future success, but as a way to keep our children engaged and involved in learning.
That said, I dislike homework for young children. I dislike that 6-year-olds have homework at all, particularly when it consists mainly of worksheets, repetition, and rote memorization. I resent that between pickup time and bedtime, precious moments are spent sitting at a table with a pencil in hand. I wish those moments could be filled with curiosity and exploration instead of adult-directed tasks. Don’t get me wrong—I cherish education, appreciate teachers, and admire children’s natural aptitude for learning. But homework for little ones? Not a fan.
If I could magically change the system, I would advocate for schools like P.S. 116 in Manhattan, which made the courageous choice to eliminate homework in the lower grades. If it were up to me, that blue sheet would look something like this:
- Explore the Outdoors
Get your hands dirty by picking dead petals from flowers and mixing them with mud and pebbles. Race snails across the picnic table, give them names, and let them nibble on leaves. - Embrace Boredom
Allow yourself to feel bored enough to invent a language for aliens, then start a pretend school to teach it to your siblings. Discover the joy of spontaneity and creativity that boredom can inspire. - Enjoy Solitude
Spend time without adults hovering over you. Get lost in arranging your dollhouse or ride your bike until you’re breathless. Experience your surroundings without the pressure of judgment or expectations. - Read for Pleasure
Devour anything—cereal boxes, newspaper headlines, or even checkout line magazines (and then ask what a Kardashian is). Read to your younger sibling and lose yourself in stories without keeping track of time or pages. - Create Something New
Whip up a dirt cake in the backyard, craft a daisy chain, or film a short movie using your parent’s phone. Whether you share your creations with others or toss them away, the act of making is what counts. - Express Yourself Through Writing
Pen a letter to someone who misses you or scribble your name in the condensation on the shower wall. Write without worrying about spelling or punctuation—just let your imagination flow. - Contribute at Home
Help with chores like folding laundry or packing your own lunch. Engage in discussions at the dinner table and feel the importance of your contributions. - Prioritize Rest
Cuddle up in bed with your favorite toy and let the world blur behind your eyelids. Dream without the stress of homework or tests, and remember that sleep is crucial for growth and development.
Despite my desire for more enriching experiences and less homework, we dutifully adhere to the blue sheet. My daughter completes her assignments while I provide support, albeit with a growing sense of reluctance. I sign my name, fully aware that I am part of a system that may not be the best for our kids.
I yearn for a childhood filled with exploration rather than homework, for learning that’s driven by curiosity rather than assignments. Don’t you?
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Summary: This article discusses the challenges of traditional homework for young children and advocates for a shift towards more creative and exploratory activities that foster a love of learning. The author wishes for an educational approach that prioritizes childhood experiences over structured assignments.