Further, homework’s most lauded tions. A principal in Wyoming who
benefits—developing responsibility, abolished homework at her elemen-
Coming in
self-discipline and motivation—have tary school in the fall of 2007, said,
never been formally researched. “Not having homework isn’t hurting.
MAY
Unfortunately, homework takes Our test scores continue to rise.” High
up time that could be spent in ways schools are beginning to coordinate
that better contribute to a child’s over- assignments, place limits on home-
all health, well-being, and intellectual work and even abolish homework-
development. For example, young heavy advanced placement classes.
children—and teens, too—need And, parents are banding together
plenty of time to play. That’s how they to make sure that their children get
make sense of the world and their recess and some time at the end of the
place in it. school day to just be children.
Play is at such a premium these
days that the American Academy of Sara Bennett is the co-author of
Pediatrics has lamented the current The Case Against Homework: How
trend of eliminating recess in elemen- Homework Is Hurting Children and
tary school. Its January 2009 report What Parents Can Do About It and the
found that when students get 15 min- founder of Stop Homework, a not-for-
utes of recess, their in-class behavior profit project dedicated to advocat-
and performance improve dramatically. ing for homework reform. To find out
Homework is also the number more about what parents and schools
one reason why reading for pleasure are doing, visit
StopHomework.com.
declines at age 8, according to a
2006 Scholastic/Yankelovich poll. Yet
reading, educators agree, is the most
How to Tame
important intellectual activity of all. Monstrous Homework
That’s how students learn to spell, by Sara Bennett
Women’s
write, analyze, and gather background
knowledge that helps them develop
• Focus on what’s important for
into critical thinkers.
your children. If you want them HeALTH
The National Endowment for the
to have unstructured time to
Arts also has found that “Reading is an
dream and find their interests,
important indicator of positive indi-
make sure that happens.
Today’s women
vidual and social behavior patterns.”
• Don’t worry about their getting are finding new
According to its research, readers vol-
all A’s in school. Don’t worry so
unteer, attend arts and sports events,
much about their grades.
ways to care for
do outdoor activities and exercise at
higher rates than non-readers.
• Make sure they get plenty of
ourselves and our
Other casualties of homework
sleep.
families.
overload include socializing with • If your children are spending
family and friends, family dinners, ex- too much time on homework,
ercise, outdoor activities and sleep— or it's causing too much fam-
Join us in exploring
all important facets of a balanced ily conflict, let your children do
childhood and adulthood. Indeed, something else and write a brief
a healthier view
according to a 2001 study by the Uni- note to the teacher.
of life in this
versity of Michigan, family meals are
• Let your children read what-
the single strongest predictor of better
special edition of
ever they want. Their vocabulary,
achievement scores and fewer behav-
writing, spelling and analytical
Natural Awakenings.
ioral problems for children ages three
skills will improve much more if
to twelve. John Medina writes in Brain
they read voraciously than if they
Rules that sleep deprivation, a bane
spend that same time on vocabu-
for more information
of many school-aged children, affects
lary and spelling sheets. about advertising and how
children’s overall mood, as well as
their ability to pay attention and use
• Talk to other parents about the
you can participate, call
abstract thinking skills.
homework problem and then talk
Across the country, parents and
to the school.
480-488-9237
schools are beginning to seek solu-
Pr i n t e d o n re c y c l e d Pa P e r t o Pr o t e c t t h e en v i r o n m e n t
April 2009 19
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