Homework is a hot topic of debate for many parents and educators. For many kids, it's the bane of their existence. It's intended to help children retain information after classes end, but does it really fulfill this purpose? Behind every parent's concern, there's a bit of truth to the idea of homework being an outdated chore. We spoke to several experts to get the real story behind how beneficial—or not—homework truly is.
Homework is Not One-Size-Fits-All
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It seems like it would be easy to determine how much homework is appropriate based on age and grade. Unfortunately, schoolwork is not that simple. Every child responds to learning differently, even when it comes to routine assignments. Some children are visual learners, while others learn by doing. For these children, written assignments are not always beneficial.
Dr. Kelsey Latimer, psychologist and founder of KML Psychological Services, specializes in disability learning and ADHD assessments for children. In the last decade, she's learned that most attention spans tap out at around 25 minutes.
“I frequently see children who are overwhelmed with piles of work at early ages, leading to feeling school is not for them,” she says. “In addition, for those with learning differences and slower processing speed or poor attentional capacity, the amount of time needed to be prepared and organized can sometimes be an additional barrier.”
According to the National Education Association, children should not be given more than 10 minutes of homework per grade. For example, a third-grade student would be given a maximum of 30 minutes of homework per night. To prevent burnout, Latimer suggests encouraging breaks every 25 minutes.
“Mastery of the skill should be the focus on the work that is required outside of the classroom. Therefore, homework should focus on what is needed to develop that skill at an appropriate developmental age,” she says.
When Is Homework Beneficial?
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Experts overwhelmingly agree that homework should be given purposefully or not at all. Homework aligned with a child's skill level and schedule fosters confidence. This benefit carries over to the classroom if a child can feel secure in what they've accomplished at home.
Theresa Bertuzzi, Chief Program Development Officer and Co-Owner of Tiny Hoppers, weighed in on how homework strengthens learning. “Kids actually learn best through play and experiences, so too much structured work at home can take away from their natural curiosity and love of learning,” Bertuzzi says.
She recommends simple tasks from kindergarten to third grade, such as reading with a parent, practicing writing letters, or drawing. She adds that 20 minutes should be the maximum amount of time spent on homework at these ages.
“For kids in grades three to five, 30 minutes of homework is usually a good range, with the goal being to review what they’ve learned in class or to figure out areas where they might need more support,” says Bertuzzi.
She also explains that the older children get, the more homework can be integrated to help them learn life skills. Time management and organization are two significant benefits homework can provide to middle and high school students. However, Bertuzzi also encourages parents to pay attention to their children's workloads.
“If homework is leading to meltdowns or super late bedtimes, it’s probably time to evaluate the workload with their teacher,” she says. “The most important thing is that homework enhances their development but doesn’t hinder their social time, family time, sleep or play time.”
When Homework Does More Harm Than Good
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Any workload has pros and cons, and homework is no exception. Experts believe a line must be drawn when homework is no longer conducive to learning. When it interferes with a child's moods and energy levels, this red flag should be brought up with teachers. Mandi St. Germaine, teacher and co-founder of MBS | The Woman Beyond the Cape, believes life experience should take precedence.
“Having taught across many states, I have come to find that homework is not automatically translating to greater achievement academically,” she explains, stating that deliberate practice in the classroom is more beneficial than after-school drilling. “For younger students, particularly those in the elementary school, excessive homework is overwhelming and counterproductive.” St. Germaine encourages focusing on other areas of a child's life, such as socializing, family time, and free play. She argues that a balanced structure recognizes that learning can happen beyond a pen and paper. Problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world application can be equally important, if not more so.
“Placing a focus on social-emotional learning enables students to be resilient, work in collaboration, and be independent, which are just as critical as content,” says St. Germaine. “Students must have sufficient time to study significant skills while also having space to develop relationships, learn life skills, and engage in the type of learning that doesn't occur in the classroom.”
How to Recognize Homework Anxiety
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Homework anxiety is a real issue and causes tension for many children. It can manifest in ways such as:
- Showing increased sensitivity toward schoolwork or school in general
- Behavioral changes such as mood swings or irritability
- Procrastination of schoolwork
- Inconsistent or lack of sleep
- Poor attitude towards school
- Anxiety over tests or graded assignments
According to Cassandra Haines-Riiska, Educator Success Specialist at Prodigy Education and former second-grade teacher, this can severely impact a child. “As with anything, homework can become too much or not beneficial. Those home projects, where the parents do most of the work, are stressful for both the children and the parents,” says Haines-Riiska.
She explains that homework should enrich a child's life, not take from it. If there's no academic goal at the end of a homework assignment, it's challenging to justify the work. “If I ever had a parent tell me their child was in tears, we'd modify the assignment, amount, or due dates,” she says, emphasizing that a child's mental health should always come first.
When asked what an appropriate amount of homework might look like, Haines-Riiska gave a well-rounded example. “I like the guideline of 10 minutes per grade level because it protects the lower grades from an inappropriate amount of homework; however, no student should have more than 30 minutes a night.” She adds, “Students deserve a break, time with family, and time for extracurricular activities,” emphasizing the importance of school-life balance.
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