In today’s educational landscape, the homework debate rages on — especially at the elementary level. Many parents are feeling overwhelmed as they push their kids to complete assignments, often while their children are already exhausted from long school days and shortened recesses. Is it really necessary for young kids to tackle homework after a full day of classes? One mom has had enough.
Meet Lisa Johnson, the voice behind The Real Toddler, who recently shared a viral post announcing her home will now be a homework-free sanctuary. Parents everywhere are cheering her on.
“Enough is enough! I’ve just informed my daughter’s school that she’s done with homework,” Lisa starts her passionate post. “I mentioned a ‘drastic reduction,’ but honestly, she’s completely finished.”
Lisa explains that her 10-year-old daughter is an enthusiastic learner, devouring “10-12 chapter books a year” and actively engaging in subjects that intrigue her. Between coding classes and painting, she’s involved in various extracurricular activities. However, Lisa has noticed a troubling trend: over the last four years, her daughter has become increasingly stressed about school, exhibiting symptoms like chest pains and sleep disturbances.
“Why should she spend 2-3 hours on homework after being in school from 8:15 am to 4 pm?” Lisa questions, highlighting a concern that many parents share. The real question is how much work should children be expected to do daily? Are we cultivating their minds or merely creating little robots?
“What sense does it make for homework to stretch until 6:30, followed by dinner, and then an hour to unwind (or finish more homework) before bed?” she asks. “Isn’t family time important? Shouldn’t children have the chance to just be kids at home?”
This topic ignites endless discussions among parents, and one country offers a compelling example of a healthier approach. Finnish children enjoy longer recess and less homework than their counterparts worldwide. They start school at age seven and take only one standardized test annually, yet consistently rank among the top performers internationally in reading, math, and science.
“Children don’t need hours of homework to thrive, yet we behave as if sitting at a kitchen table after a long school day is beneficial,” Lisa argues. “It’s not. It’s simply not.”
When did we collectively decide that our kids must constantly perform at high levels? We need to hit pause. There’s a growing epidemic of anxiety among children and teens, and part of the blame lies with the overwhelming pressure for academic performance. As adults, we’re juggling more than ever, leading to burnout and increased stress, so why would we expect less from our children?
Interestingly, many educators are rallying around Lisa’s viewpoint. One fourth-grade teacher commented, “I totally support this! I haven’t assigned homework this year, and my students are thriving without the stress.” Another fifth-grade math teacher shared, “I stopped giving homework three years ago. There’s no evidence it helps and it actually raises anxiety levels in students.”
Ultimately, Lisa concludes her compelling post with a heartfelt message: “I don’t care if my daughter gets into Harvard. I want her to be intelligent, kind, balanced, and mentally healthy. Work is just a part of life; it shouldn’t consume it. My child needs to be a child.”
This article originally appeared on April 26, 2017.
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Summary
Lisa Johnson has made her home a homework-free zone, arguing that excessive homework causes undue stress for young children. Citing her daughter’s anxiety and the lack of evidence supporting homework’s effectiveness, she joins a growing chorus of parents and teachers advocating for a healthier balance between education and childhood.
Keyphrase
Homework-Free Parenting
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