DAILY homework for young children is a ridiculous idea, according to Canobolas Public School P and C president Michele Dickson.
Mrs Dickson’s comments follow the release of a book by two education academics that suggests homework could be doing students more harm than good.
The book Reforming Homework: Practices, Learning and Policies, co-authored by professors Mike Horsley and Richard Walker from CQUniversity and Sydney University, suggests children who do less homework perform better in international exams.
Mrs Dickson is against the idea of nightly homework, believing children need the afternoons for crucial family time.
“Kids need to be kids,” she said.
“They spend six hours at school and they shouldn’t have to come home and do more.”
Mrs Dickson said a small amount of homework was necessary for young children, but parents and children should be given the opportunity to decide the level.
She has two children, one in year 7 at Orange High School and one in year 6 at Canobolas Public School.
“Canobolas Public School and Orange High School have a really good balance,” she said.
The children are given homework tasks but they have two weeks to complete them, she said.
Mrs Dickson said the method enabled her children to complete homework but also provided time to do chores around the house, socialise and relax.
The book suggests homework should not be abolished, but refined.
Mrs Dickson agreed, saying reading activities were beneficial.
“It’s absolutely essential,” she said.
“In primary school when they’re learning to read, as a parents you can go through sounds and letters with them and read to them.”
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.comau
