by Michael Deqel

Created on: May 18, 2007   Last Updated: May 20, 2007

Children need time to be children, to socialize, to play, and to use their imaginations. While homework extends learning, too much homework can cut into a child's time to grow. The right type of homework for the age and ability of the child should be balance, on the whole, with the right amount for the age and ability, as well.

Homework too often benefits teachers, who think that assigning more worksheets shows that they are doing a good job. However, well-thought out homework assignments do extend learning. The type of homework that helps the most is that which involves the child in growing, has the child participate in activities and explore the child's work. Too much of the emphasis of teaching and schools is on "book learning," rote memorization, and exercises done out of context.

Howard Gardner, a leading education researcher, writes about multiple intelligences. Those that typical homework address are only 2 or 3 of the 8 he's identified. In addition, many researchers have shown that there are a variety of learning styles. Most homework only takes a couple of these into account-visual and verbal. What about aural? Tactile?

So, too much homework of the type usually sent out by teaachers probably does hurt many children. As with all things, moderation and variety likely lead to the healthiest approach. Homework should be geared to the range of intelligences, the range of learning styles, to the child's developmental ability (often cued by age), and to the social needs of the child. If that balance is achieved, then the amount of homework won't be too much.

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