Homework Overload
Apart from homework given by the school, my child gets homework from the other enrichment courses that I have put him in as well. I feel that it is necessary to have homework to help him improve but my child seems to be getting stressed. Is too much homework necessary?
It is important to understand the value of homework or enrichment to begin with, so it is good to talk it through with your child.
For example, sit down and go “Why do we need homework or enrichment in the first place?” It is important that the parent does not answer that question. It must come from the child why that is necessary. And if the grades are not wonderful, you may like to ask in what way homework can help them in their grades. It is important that children understand as many truly felt stressed and hate homework especially due to overload. They find that they have too much homework and these eat into their time from play, games, doing the things that they want. It deprives them, it is a mindset. This in turn makes them feel too much stressed. It is because of their reluctance and taking so painfully long for homework to be done makes it appear very overwhelming and overload.
After asking why it is necessary, do help your child to prioritize whether it be homework from school or enrichment centers. Start with the one that the child finds the most challenging. So that the child can start fresh and more alert as he is working on the weaker subject. This in turn will minimise the thought of “too much” or “overload”.
Another area why the child feels overload and stressed as they know that it is the time where mum and dad will get very upset with them or disappointed. If they can avoid homework, which they feel is too much for them, this is the direction they will go. Therefore homework cannot be stressed but has to be pleasant.
When sending your child to another organization for enrichment classes where there are homework given, or even in addition there is home tutoring where homework involved. Be sensitive and mindful, as these may create an overload and stressed. This is where parents need to share with tutors how to find a balance to prevent too much homework.
When a child has homework from school or enrichment classes, the child has to do it first instead of waiting for the tutor doing with him.
I believe in a child-centered, whole language approach to children’s development.
To create an atmosphere and framework where each child can open up and express themselves, confident that their every contribution will be acknowledged, appreciated and valued. 