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Homework is a crucial part of any schooling or education. It helps a child learn away from their teaching environment in their own time and helps them understand the importance of learning the art of responsibility. It is also a welcome break away from the classroom; one of the reasons a child may be struggling with work is due to not liking the classroom environment or not fitting in well with the other children. Homework not only adds more to their work, parents and teachers alike may find that the quality of homework is to a much higher standard than classwork due to the children working in their own environment and at their own pace.

However; the question that often comes to pass with any schooling situation, especially with the children themselves is; can a child have too much homework? And more importantly, can being given too much homework have a negative effect or even hurt a child?

While many children see the task of homework as daunting and obnoxious, it is actually essential for their future success - in moderation. This is due to the fact that yes, children can indeed be hurt by too much homework on many different levels. Due to the lack of access to a teacher, if a child is struggling with a question, they can often become stressed and angry. Too much homework can also conflict with their personal schedule and therefore affect their social lives which again can leave them depressed and stressed.

It is therefore the responsibility of the teacher to set the appropriate amount of homework that the student can complete and hand in on time, but also the appropriate level that they are capable of completing. This means giving them a challenge, but not forcing them out of their own schedule or causing them too much stress and anguish by giving them homework that is way out of their level.

There are also many ways for the children themselves to enjoy their homework more. These include listening to music while doing your work and setting a schedule for yourself in which you do 30 minutes of work, followed by 30 minutes of a break and repeat. This not only lowers the stress levels involved, it can actually train the child to learn scheduling techniques which again falls under the category of responsibility and can aid them immensely in their future lives in the workplace and higher education.

To conclude, homework is only an issue if in the hands of an irresponsible teacher or an irresponsible student. It is up to the teacher to know the level of ability that their students are capable of in order to give them the right amount of homework that is challenging enough for their ability, but not so much as to hurt them. It is also up to the student to cooperate with the teacher. Only by acquiring this cooperation - a further act of responsibility - will the homework benefit the student with the least amount of stress possible.

Learn more about this author, Wayne K. Wilkins.
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