Homework opinions for the elementary-age child. I feel as though my 2nd grader already spends enough time at school; I don’t want him to do homework when he gets home. I want him to be a kid and do other kid things besides more school work. Between dinner, bath, and bedtime routine, there isn’t much time in the evenings for him to just be a kid. I still check his backpack every day, look at his papers, etc. if there is a project, we will always do those together. But if it’s just a sheet with problems, I don’t make him do it. Another important point of mine is that he is not struggling in any subject. He makes good grades, and his teachers say he knows the material and does great in school. So that is another reason I don’t see the point in doing more work once he‘s home for the day. I understand once he gets older, it may pose a harder challenge because he may need to start doing homework and isn’t used to it. Should I just start having him do it at a certain age? How do y’all feel about the whole situation? Thanks!
As an ex teacher I don’t think ANY students should have homework.
I think the odd revision is fine as well as any independent/catch up
My 2nd grader only gets sent home with homework if he hasn’t completed something at school or needs a little extra practice. I think this has worked out really well for him this year
Unless a child is struggling in the subject, I think homework is ridiculous. I’m just thankful that the school my child goes to just send home like a 3-4 page packet every Monday and it’s due Friday. So we either do just a little everyday, or do it all one day so his other days are free from homework.
I don’t feel homework should be allowed at all elem level… at most- reading book 20-30 mins. Maybe start homework at 5th grade just to help when they get into middle school.
My one daughter is 10 an in 5th grade. Her teacher gives the students time in class to do the homework which I love because then he is there to help her. She hasn’t had homework yet this year. We did cyber school last year an if they attended the live lesson they didn’t have to do the homework for the lesson but if they missed the live lesson then they could do the assignment to earn the points for the grade
I agree with you totally but sadly they have to do it in many kindergarten years. You also have to follow the rules. I still hate it , though
his homework shouldn’t take that long since he’s in 2nd grade. Just have him do the sheet with problems right when he gets home then he has free time afterwards.
My kindergartener has at least 2 sheets of homework a day. Including Friday’s
I don’t think any student should ever have homework. The only time I agree to homework is student didn’t finish something in school because they were goofing around. Other than that it’s a big no for me.
Most kids are in school 7+ hours a day. I feel like that is enough. At home is family time and learning things they don’t teach in school.
I honestly don’t think any student should get homework, they spend all day in class learning, my kids are burnt out on learning when they get home, when are they supposed to have time for themselves? I’d be mad if I got out of work and had to do more of the same work at home … They need some freedom from their classroom
My daughters teachers dont really assign homework. (Shes in middle school) her science teacher only assigns homework when they get in trouble. But my opinion is if the techer sends it home they should do it. Do i agree with homework? NO. Do i think it should be done if sent home? YES.
I agree with Amelia that’s what school are for
Agree with you! I have a kindergartener and an 8th grader.
My kindergartener has daily homework.
I have 4 kids, I look at homework as a chance to help them learn from a different perspective and reinforce what they are learning in school.
My kindergarten gets homework everyday. It’s definitely annoying
Homework usually takes about 30 minutes or less. That’s good for him. My children had homework in kindergarten! Yes they did it when getting home while having there after school snack.
My kindergartener has homework, thankfully not on fridays. She’s also in karate so we have a routine.
I don’t think any student should have homework. I feel they spend enough time in school doing school work, they shouldn’t have to do it at home also.
My second grader has never brought home homework, it was odd to me at first because growing up we always had it. But he’s straight As. He’s never brought home any homework since being in school. I thought it was just the norm now.
My son is in the 2nd grade. His teacher sends home spelling words weekly and some math occasionally. She does say it’s optional but I have him do it. Doesn’t take long and he has the rest of the day to have free time.
The only homework my 2nd grader gets is a reading log for the month. He colors in or draws a picture every day he reads (weekdays only). Occasionally he will bring home a project but no homework.
How long is homework taking for you guys? I have 2 kids in school . They come home eat a snack do homework about for an hour each and they still have time to play outside everyday and extra activities daily
Have you ever considered home schooling ? I hear great things from other parents
My daughter is in 2nd grade and gets homework every night but it’s optional. We live in Boston and the teacher understands that not every kid has support to get homework done. We always have her do her math because we switched schools this year and the math is a little different . But if we can’t get to it one day it’s not the end of the world
My daughter is in kindergarten. She ALWAYS gets homework sent home . Then I have my son in 4th grade who has not had homework at all this year because his teacher believes school is over when school is over .
Homework for young AND older children is ridiculous. They spend all day between desks getting their heads crammed with new things… then you send them home to spend another hour or two at a table (or desk). Then eat and go to bed? Our children are children, not robots.
I also have a second grader who gets homework sent home. Not every night, but usually 2-3 times a week. It takes 5 minutes. We do it right before bed & on nights he doesn’t have homework we review spelling words or read.
Idk but when my son was in 2nd grade homework wasn’t longer than 15 minutes between writing spelling words and 1 page of math and an occasional social studies paper.
My daughter in yesr 2 n all she gets is spellings and radding they them to read daily for 10 mins spelling come home a.tue samw time as a new reading book they test them on spellings each fri
It’s totally normal to do daily homework at that age. Is it fun? No, but it’s not only reinforcing the material, but teaching them and us what life is going to be like in the future when they have more than a worksheet. Bedtime is also much later by the time they are in second grade, so there is plenty of time.
Life is not all fun and games. They need to learn to follow directions. And do what is required to get a descent grade. So they don’t struggle at life constantly.
No …children should NOT have homework…90 percent what you learn in school you will never use.
The way homework is often done, I don’t agree with. I feel like projects and real world assignments help students learn better. At a young age, “homework” that looks like games is much more helpful.
If the child isn’t finding time to be a kid, I’d discuss this with the teacher. Let them know you are concerned.
I don’t think any of them should have homework! My kindergartner has never had homework yet, and my 7th grader has study hall last period so he completes his then; but they spend 7+ hours at school…that should be enough! They need time to relax and be kids too.
If your child comes home from school you have them do it. Your feelings doesn’t matter when it comes to your child’s education. Some of you need to start stepping up as parents.
I have one in middle school and one in first grade they’ve never had homework to do. My first grader likes to read and do extra math on the computer at home because he’s struggling with those subjects but he always asks to do them and I don’t force it on him so he doesn’t get frustrated and give up. If my middle schooler does get homework it’s basically just a handful of questions she has done in 10 minutes. I know this will change as they get older but for now it’s non existent.
My son’s school counts homework as 50%of their grade… So it’s not optional.
I have a son in kindergarten and he gets sent home with packets on Monday with homework to do every day Monday-Thursday
Are you considering the repercussions for your child when they get to class without you and they have not completed their work? How long would that sheet really take you? 10-15 minutes? I don’t know that blowing it off is really setting a good example of what life is like, and how to deal with responsibilities that we dislike or are unpleasant.
I agree that at that age the work for home reinforcement shouldn’t be excessive;
If you feel strongly I suggest having a discussion with the teacher.
Homework does count for participation and most times teachers have a “homework” grade.
Simply ignoring it is not going to work out for too much longer.
He should be doing his homework.
Are u serious my god we all went through it. It will always be that way its school its teaching them responsibility get over yourself
My 2nd grader brings home homework. They send home a sheet of English work, reading and math. He don’t like doing it, but I still have him do it. Once his teacher sent him home with 6 pages of math to complete. I had him do one and told the teacher 6 pages was way too much for him to do in one day and I’m not gonna make him do it all. He has 2 classes. And he’s mixed in with 3rd graders.
I tell him “work hard , play hard”. I wish he could come home and not do any homework, but it is what it is.
My son is in first grade and gets homework. We always have him sit at the table and do it after dinner before we let him go play for a few before bath, books and bed. My husband and i we’re lazy students and not very good at doing our homework and it bit us both in the ass later in high school so i am a little harder on my son so he doesn’t struggle like i did in school. Plus he really enjoys doing it so that helps but it’s usually a sheet of either math problems or reading page and she always sends home copies of the books they are reading in class. He loves to read so we always read them to each other.
This is a pros and cons list for homework. One con specifically addresses elementary age.
My child was being sent home in the second grade with hours of homework. After discussing with public school counselors - this was a private school - I made the decision to withdraw her and two minutes later she called me sick and needing to come home. I learned that this teacher was targeting my child with abuse and ridicule that the rest of the class began participating in.
Listen to your gut mama
My son is in second grade and the teacher recommends 10 minutes in math and 20 minutes reading. My other is in 3rd grade and has the same. They work on homework while I’m making dinner. They will have 3 hours between dinner and bed. Teaching them now that they don’t have to do homework will only cause issues when homework actually matters when they are older, something you need to think about.
He is never going to get used to it unless he starts
I have a son in Kindergarten and he brings home homework. my preschooler brings home homework packets but those are optional for her.
I feel like it’s really not our decision at the end of the day especially if you want your children to succeed “properly” I don’t like it but it is what it is at this point don’t want them to fail my kid because I feel it’s unfair. Homework has always been a thing. But most definitely understand where EVERYONE is coming from!
Homework teaches time management and honoring responsibility not to mention it will have a large impact on grades later starting probably next year. If he wants to play he can do 5 math problems. Its important for you guage his understanding of what was taught that day and reinforce the knowledge. They’re not coming home with a packet of problems to do every night at that age so it is lazy habit to not enforce homework at home. Whether any of us agrees with homework or not is not the point.
I don’t really agree with homework (besides the “if you don’t finish in class you can take it home” and projects) until like high school.
BUT. Have your child do their homework. Their grades may not suffer now but eventually after doing absolutely no homework for classes, those grades will reflect that. You can always make the homework fun (games and such), and help him out so it doesn’t take forever. While your cooking, he can read or write. There’s definitely ways you can do it, and him still uphold his childhood. This is the part where us as parents need to stop being lazy. Everyone has to eat, bathe, and have a routine before bed. Every other kid also participates in school, and homework. They still get have childhoods, your child should be no different.
My children do not do school work at home. Period. We live in the country and the hours that they are not at school are used to learn life skills.
Not trying to sound rude and hateful but if you don’t want him to do the work the teacher sends home… Then home school him, they send homework cause either they didn’t finish it in class or to help them keep in memory and will help them remember it while doing a different lesson
Depression in young people is on the rise their is to much pressure on kids they need chances to be kids, mine arent forced to do their homework but we do try to complete 30 minutes of what they are struggling in normally reading and writing but other subjects no
My kindergartener has homework. It’s helpful for the student to be able to have that extra practice and it’s helpful for you as a parent to be able to gauge what your child might need more assistance with and also fully understand how much there absorbing at school. Like one of the previous commenters mentioned, are you at all concerned with the repercussions that your child might be facing when they go to school and their homework that was supposed to be done isn’t done because you as a parent decided it wasn’t important for them? Homework does count as part of a student’s grade so by not having your child do the homework they’re assigned you’re adding to the possibility that they might fail or at least have much lower grades than they would have. It seems to me that you believe all of the education of your child should fall on the teacher in the school and you shouldn’t have to contribute. Hopefully I’m wrong on that point but to answer your original question your child should be getting and doing their homework in 2nd grade.
I’m not a huge proponent of homework for that age but I think 10-15 min is fair. Reading should be done every night with a parent whether it’s assigned HW or not. A math worksheet, reviewing problems they did during the day, can be helpful for some whether they know it or not.
Our daughters in first grade and on Monday they send home a packet of work for Monday through Thursday. This week we have that and she has to read a passage twice and read through a list of words as fast as she can in a minute and then read for 15 minutes a night.
While I think it’s a lot for a first grader we also have one in college and another one in 11th grade and the amount of homework they have is ridiculous.
I guess my point is if you get them used to it now when they getting higher grades it won’t be such a fight.
He should be doing it . It isn’t all fun and games in life!! Your asking for trouble by telling him he don’t have to do it
Sit down with your kid and do his homework with him. We give my son an hour break after school, it’s homework and play until dinner. I’m sorry but this sounds like laziness. He can fail in school without his school work done.
I just had this conversation this morning. My 2nd grader is required to do 90min/night on a reading app and a math app. I don’t agree with it. There’s very little time from the bus drop off to getting ready for bed. It interferes with playtime outside and family bonding time. Then ofcourse, there’s the whole hour it takes just to get ready/motivated for bed. Oh! And let’s not forget her reading that I have her do at bedtime. Which had slacked due to the time it takes for her homework. BUT, having said this, it is required and homework will not stop from here on out. So I focus on getting her started and doing the best she can. Its the habit that she needs to start…not the pressure at this point. If she only gets 30min done and I see it’s mentally too much…then we move on. Surprisingly, each night gets easier and more productive. And she doesn’t put up a fight. So- I don’t agree- but it’s really not an option.
I struggle with my 1st grader. She goes to school, then her nana keeps her until I get off work and can pick her up. I get off work at 6, pick her up and we don’t get home toll aroundpm 7. I cook supper, we eat, take baths, and then try to do homework before bedtime.
So parents are really like this now? Ugh. This country is doomed.
I think it has to do not only with practicing skills but with developing personal responsibility and developing good study habits. Two or three hours? NO , but 10 or 15 minutes and succcess at the end will help him to feel good about himself. There will still be plenty of time for play.
Even if he isn’t struggling, doing homework teaches responsibility… But to each their own, I guess…
My first grader has math spelling s reading assignment snd s spelling activity mon-thurs
My son usually has a spelling worksheet and two math papers to do over the week at home. We do them because they go over them the following week. When they get to older grades, they need to have the skills to do their homework without being forced.
My daughter is in kindergarten and has homework every day. If it’s done right away, it only takes about 20 minutes. Homework reinforces what is being taught at school
Nobody wants homework but I think (in my own personal experience) it helps prepare children for the upcoming school years, plus it helps show the parent what your child is currently learning in class.
I like to know what kids are working on Takes 15 min or less and then read for 15 or 20 min daily which a child should be doing anyway
My kiddo did have homework in second grade but almost never has homework in fourth. I think it kind of depends on the teacher.
I have a 4th grader and the last thing she wants to do after school is homework but it is important to reinforce what they learn in school even if they get good grades. I let my daughter have a snack and go on the ipad for a little while then she has to do it……it’s just part of life
My kindergarten kid comes home with homework everyday weekly. It allows me to spend some extra time with her in an engaging way. Somedays we are both too tired but we still make it work. Granted it is mostly reading and practicing writing numbers and simple things. I’m sure it’ll get a bit more tedious as my child grows but it is what it is.
I agree with you, but they still have to do the homework. My third grader almost never brings home homework. Maybe twice this year she’s had homework. I also have a 2nd grader. He has homework every weeknight. He has to read a book and fill out a paper that’s really only writing a sentence about the book. And he has some site words that don’t take but a minute to do. He doesn’t have much so we just get it done after snack when he gets home from school. I wish he had no homework (he fights me not to do it) but we as parents have got to make sure their homework does get completed. My suggestion would be just ask the teacher if there’s any way he could just have a little homework instead of so much he has nothing else to do but get ready for school tomorrow. Regardless, there’s not much we can do because as they get older they will have loads more homework. What’s he going to do then because you’ve allowed him not to have to do his homework now? He then thinks that he doesn’t have to do it and will potentially not do too well in school when the teachers doc points for not doing their homework.
Excuse me, your son’s teacher sends home work and you just “decide not to do it?!” WHAT? That breeds entitlement. Repetition is how kids absorb the things teachers are teaching. My kindergartner does her spelling and sometimes basic math, and my son does reading and worksheets. They have weekends, teacher workdays, holidays, and school breaks to be lazy and not have homework. It doesn’t take long if they’re doing it and not fussing.
Indoor think they should, but I can understand if they do!
As a former elementary school teacher, kids should not have homework. The parents that asked for it only wanted busy work for their kids at home.
I always forget to send it back in but I sit with my son and do it we do 30 minutes though and what he gets done he gets done. I don’t force him to fully finish it. But since we do the 30 minutes it seems go more smoothly than when we had that you must finish it all approach
My 2nd grader has never even brought a work sheet home. Not for homework or to show what they’ve done during the day. All she forms home with are drawings Bc they have so much free time. I’ve talked to the principal and they just assure work is getting done and her teacher and scores show she’s reading on 4th grade level and is academically advanced, but she’s so bored and hates this school year. I wish there was an in between
Homework IS a grade:woozy_face:you are literally teaching him to give zero fawks and have zero respect for authority
I dont believe in homework. Studies have shown it doesnt reinforce or help them retain the information.
Honey my kids have been doing homework since prek. Unfortunately it’s a part of going to school and they are graded assignments so if you want him to keep his grades up he must do those assignments that are sent home. It’s a balance that you gotta learn with school aged kids, homework & home life.
Part of the homework at this stage is not just learning material (homework is for everyone it doesn’t matter of yours isn’t struggling yet on subject matter) but also to instill good habits for the rest of their years in school. I also have a 2nd grader, it doesn’t take long. And at this age they should be doing most of their work on their own with little assistance.
Study after study proves that homework does nothing beneficial. I think the only time a child should have homework as if they’ve missed the regular assignments during class that goes for any grade. If my boss wanted me to bring homework to do at home I tell him to kiss off
So you’re just basically teaching your kid that homework isn’t important and he doesn’t have to follow through with what’s required of him with school. I get it. Homework sucks. But it’s part of being in school and it’s a parents job to make sure they follow through with what needs done. Letting him not do the homework now isn’t going to help once the homework is important and needs done. He’ll wonder why he has to don’t now when mom never made him do it before. My sons in 2nd grade hut on a 4th grade level. The homework is boring and his grade are phenomenal but it’s his job to do those worksheets and there’s no negotiating it. It teaches them responsibility and it helps them retain the information into their longterm memory. If my boy doesn’t have homework then he still does ABC Mouse, or may work on a worksheet that I have and he’s required to read 20 mins a night. I take my children’s education very seriously and love sitting with him while he’s working on his stuff. Me sitting with him and helping if he needs it, shows him that I’m invested in him and his education.
I agree with you! I have a 2nd grader and I don’t always do the work either. It’s nonsense sometimes and we all know it.
My grandson has homework and he’s in Pre-K. He doesn’t even get home until 5 PM! I think homework should not be assigned until middle school.
General rule in our house. If homework is assigned for out of class we don’t do it. If incomplete class work comes home to finish it gets done.
if have no advice, my son is only three… but i strongly believe that every country should be like finland with schooling and homework, they don’t have homework and it is so much better for the kids. they’re not stressed at young ages, they’re not completely burnt out by the end of the day and then have to do more work. why should kids have to do more school when they finish the school day? it’s pointless and has been proven that it actually doesn’t help.
Homework helps them remember what they learned in class that day.
For some kids it takes 5-10 minutes like my son did, other kids my be @ that table for an hr .
Be present for your kids, but don’t do their work as you’re not helping them down the road.
I don’t work after I get home from work, why should my kid? I totally agree with how you’re doing things!!
It’s not compulsory. Told mine if they want to do it they can if not they don’t have to… They spend all dya there to start with, so no they shouldn’t have it.
My sons school has no homework at all unless the kids were absent they can take it home to work on it. They have part of the school day dedicated to make up work or help with understanding material.
My son is 5 And in kindergarten. We do something every evening, whether it’s assigned or not. Sometimes I’ll put Starfall or Moby Max on his tablet and let him play the educational games instead Taking 10-15 minutes of your evening to do some school work or reviewing what he did matters to me. School matters and getting your assignments done is important. Let him eat a snack, chill for a bit then do it.
I think homework after school is just another way to program our children for the 9-5 work life. Another way for them to get used to working at home after the work is done.
I have mine do theirs to keep their mind sharp with what they are learning…
Just have your child do it. I don’t understand what you’re kid is doing after school. My kids range from 11Th the to 2 nd , and we make sure everyone does they’re homework no exceptions! Then we go to practice, chorus concert s, birthday parties, etc. I am not teaching my kids to be lazy . To many kids are suffering with depression and anxiety. I feel like it’s because a lot of people just want hand their kid electronic .
He should do it now, if you don’t like how he is being taught pull him out and home school. It is true a lot of work at school is busy work so the teacher can rotate with students to make sure all understand
I think homework is stupid. Unless they don’t finish class work I don’t think any grades should have homework. I remember as a kid spending hours at the table trying to finish all the homework. I’m a 4.0 graduate from highschool and college I understood it plenty there was just a ridiculous amount that made me hate school.
My sister inlaw is a teacher and doesn’t like to give homework. My friend has pointed out that most people don’t take work home woth them from their job why would a kid?