Homework Abuse
Dear Doctor,
We really do not know what to do. Our fourth grader has three hours of homework a night.
He could do it faster, but it takes him forever, and we, unfortunately, get upset with him and try to push him through his work. The teacher says there is nothing she can do.
We are tired and don’t think life should be like this. What can we do?
Homework Police
Dear Homework,
Three hours of homework for a fourth grade boy is ridiculous. It is child abuse!
As you said in your e mail, he "could" do it more quickly, but, in my vire, he cannot. No child enjoys a scene such as you describe.
Therefore, adjustments must be made. A time limit should be set, about 45 minutes to one hour would be a generous time set aside for a boy that age. When that time has passed, the books need to be closed, and your son should have a life.
The homework frenzy has increased during the past few years. As part of the MCAS follies we are going to extend the school day (a dumb idea) and pour on the homework so we can be "competitive," whatever that means. Every school in every city and town is in the follies.
They want to be the best and the brightest. The fact of the matter is clear. Homework, through review of research and experience, does not enhance learning substantially. In fact, the main goal of homework is not "drill," a nasty word, but fidelity to a task, learning to complete something on one’s own.
We need to learn the difference between "mindful" and "mindless" learning. Dr Langer has written a book, "The Power of Mindful Learning." She is a Harvard professor and researcher whose studies show that less effort of a mindful nature is much more effective than huge mindless assignments and "drills."
Go to your school’s principal and ask for some process to modify your son’s homework. If the principal is not forthcoming go to the superintendent. If necessary seek redress from any advocate the system may offer.
Stop the torture. Pressure is not tantamount to learning.
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