Homework has been a standard practice in traditional schooling for years. It is a pivotal part of a student’s education, helping to develop different key skills. The importance of homework is felt by parents, teachers, and education experts. Like any other thing, there are pros and cons of homework. It has also become a divisive topic nowadays. Some sections of people are in favour of homework, while some sections are against it.
Here, in this blog, you’ll get to know the advantages of homework, the disadvantages of homework, and other things related to it. As a parent, this will be helpful for you to nurture your child.
What is Homework?
Homework is defined as the set of tasks the students are assigned as an elaboration of the tasks done in class. The tasks assigned should be done outside the class, especially at home. In other words, it’s an extended school task that is supposed to be completed at home.
What Are The Advantages Of Homework?
Homework is an important part of a student’s life. It develops various core skills helping the child through a lifetime. Let’s explore some advantages of homework.
- Reinforce Learning: Homework is an opportunity for the students to review and practice the tasks done at school. It helps them to retain and understand the lessons better.
- Foster Confidence and Independence: Homework is a way of fostering independence in students. By completing the tasks all by themselves at home, they learn to take responsibility for their own learning. It thus helps in building confidence.
- Develop Time Management Skills: Homework is a great way to develop time management skills in students. By completing the work within the time frame, they learn to prioritize tasks. It thus helps in managing time effectively. This skill is not only beneficial as a student but also helpful in later years of life.
- Foster Discipline: Doing homework regularly fits into one’s daily schedule. It fosters discipline in students.
- Encourage Critical Thinking: Homework helps in developing critical thinking. Children use their skills and knowledge to do the tasks.
- Prepare For Tests: By reviewing and practicing the lessons learned at school, students can enhance their learning skills. It makes them better prepared for exams, quizzes, etc.
- Reduces Screen Time: Just like extra-curricular activities, homework keeps children engaged. It encourages better study habits. It helps in reducing screen time, as children nowadays spend more time watching the screen.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Homework?
Everything comes with merits and demerits. The same goes for homework. Let’s check out some disadvantages of homework.
- Takes Away Leisure Time: Leisure time is meant to involve things like outdoor playing, indoor playing, riding a bicycle, interacting with friends and family members, engaging in sports, etc. The time spent doing homework reduces leisure time, thus reducing the healthy level of physical activity. Such activities are important to boost cognitive function.
- Causes Unnecessary Stress: The word homework sometimes causes stress in students. As the students spend most of the day in school learning different subjects, an additional amount of work to be done at home can instill a sense of dread in them. When the workload becomes high, students feel anxious and stressed.
- Homework Is Not Healthy In Every Home: Not all homes provide a healthy environment for doing homework. Due to different reasons, every parent may not be able to provide an environment suitable for the work to be done at home.
Tips For Having A Positive Attitude Towards Homework
- Let your child engage in your favourite activity before starting homework.
- Encourage children to take breaks while doing homework.
- Create a designated space and environment that is free from distractions such as noise, electronics, etc.
- Make out the time when your child is most productive. Some children give their best in the morning, while some prefer the evening time.
- Recognise and praise the hard work your child puts in while doing the homework. It has a positive impact on children, motivating them to learn more and enhance their skills.
- Help your child with their homework if they need your assistance. But don’t make it a habit.
You might have a question, “Is homework necessary?” Homework is useful when the students enjoy doing the task. So, there should not be too much burden on the students by giving them more homework. There should be a certain limit on homework so that the students enjoy and learn while doing it. Then only homework will help in their academics, broadening their knowledge, and enhancing different core skills.
If you want your child to enjoy the learning process, be it at school or at home, Kangaroo Kids International Preschool is the perfect solution. The curriculum is designed in such a way that children learn, have fun, and enjoy! For more information, you can get in touch with us! We are here to assist you.
