Honeybun forgot her homework folder today. Again. This is the 3rd or 4th time we’ve forgotten to take it back at the end of the week. Luckily, she and hubby were only part way down the street when I realized and they were easily able to turn around and meet me. The first time we dropped it in the front office after school and the other times we just took it back on Monday.
But today’s events made me wonder: whose responsibility is it to remember to take homework back at the end of the week?
The educator in me says: the child needs to take ownership of her own learning and be responsible for completing the tasks required.
The child development specialist in me says: remembering to take her homework folder back once a week (rather than every day) is a bit of an advanced skill for a 5 year old.
The mommy in me says: This is crap. If a child can’t complete the task on their own, should they even be assigned the task? I shouldn’t have to sit down with my child every day after school for a half hour or more (while my other children go crazy) to complete her homework. If she can’t do the task without supervision (I’m cool with going over the directions with her and monitoring her progress, but not with having to be involved with every move as she does it) then why is she being required to do it?
How do you feel about homework?
Side note: Homework has gotten a lot better for us since starting in October (see “Parentwork”). Part of our struggle was my preference to come home and get it done. I realized Honeybun needs some “off-time” after school so we play for 15-20 minutes then do homework. I set her up a little homework “nook” where her stuff can stay and be out of the way (previously we were using the kitchen table which is always a mess and left room for Sugarplum to get in the way). We’re still fine-tuning her space as this is our designated Christmas tree area!
You’re absolutely right – if a child can’t do an assignment without supervision, then they shouldn’t be required to do it. Children at this stage need more “play” time then “work” time. Who wants to go home and do more school work after a 6 or 7 hour day in the classroom?
And we wonder why so many children are being diagnosed with ADHD and why teenagers are so depressed. It’s not the kids, it’s the unrealistic expectations!