This Education Expert Thinks Kids Have Too Much Homework Now

Distance learning is a challenge for many parents, teachers, and of course, students. We’ve read and seen accounts of kids crying over a poor internet connection, lack of in-person interactions, and piles of modules to accomplish. 

READ MORE ARTICLES ON HOMEWORK: 

• No-Homework Policy: Why Some Educators Say It Benefits Kids
• 7 Homework Strategies to Make Your Kids Study Smarter, Not Harder

We can only do so much about in-person interactions, except for video calls and Zoom classes. School programs were also adjusted to allow for asynchronous work or tasks that kids can work independently without being online. It also works to lessen screen time.

The possible downside is kids may have piles and piles of paperwork to do. Many moms have already asked during the pre-pandemic time, “How much homework is too much homework?”

What kids can do aside from homework

In Smart Parenting’s How Po Series Episode 4, entitled Become Your Child’s Best Teacher! How To Do Preschool At Home, childhood educator and consultant Maricar Gustllo-De Ocampo revealed that many parents and teachers raised the amount of homework and paperwork this school year. 

She explained that children cover at least five to six subjects in a day. It will really be a lot of paperwork if each subject requires students to answer pages and pages of learning modules. 

“You have to really be out of the box. We cannot go back to how it was before, because it will not work today,” Gustillo de Ocampo stressed.

Instead of paperwork, the education expert suggests group works, project making, and online presentations. An example would be book report presentations done while in a Zoom class. 

The same with tests. Gustillo-de Ocampo encourages schools to provide “authentic testing” through project making and presentations. “You have to apply content with an everyday situation,” she explained.

Making  kids pay attention during online classes

Apart from the number of homework kids need to do, many parents are also asking how to get their kids to pay attention to online classes. According to Gustillo-de Ocampo, some kids can’t really sit down for long periods. 

“Allow [kids] to walk around... Don’t take it against the child,” she said. Kids can take off their earphones and turn the computer’s volume up so he can still hear the teacher. “Even before classes start, parents should meet individually with the teachers,” Gustillo-de Ocampo suggests. 

READ MORE ARTICLES ON HOMEWORK: 

• No-Homework Policy: Why Some Educators Say It Benefits Kids
• 7 Homework Strategies to Make Your Kids Study Smarter, Not Harder

“We have to adapt to what is happening now, so it will make us better people. Let ‘go with the flow. Let’s be parent partners, teacher partners, partners with the children so that learning can be fun,” she says. The fun learning environment is the priority this year, so no pressure. 

Watch the video below:

Get exclusive access to Smart Parenting’s online webinars, expert talks, and live events! Sign up here to become part of our community and be the first to know about Smart Parenting Events.