It is no secret that students sometimes need to spend more hours to complete their school assignments. Once a student and now a teacher, I consider several things before assigning home tasks. Also, I take time to assess such tasks’ impact on the students and make changes where necessary. I usually weigh its impact on their learning and academic performance and how it connects them with their parents at home. Doing this as a teacher has helped in bringing out the best in my students.
Admittedly, home assignments can sometimes take a toll on students’ lives, but the benefits far exceed the shortfalls if well managed. Now, here are why homework is very important.
Creates Home-School Connection
A critical benefit of homework is that it connects parents with their children creating a home school atmosphere. To achieve this, I usually divert from the traditional assignments and focus on connecting the children with their parents. At the beginning of an academic year, I assign a Family Page Project and the Baby Name Project.
The Family Page Project helps teachers to know more about their students’ families. During the project, parents work together with their kids to achieve the intended results. Parents are given a large piece of paper with instructions to follow in decorating the paper. The results have always been outstanding as the family cooperates to bring out the best.
For the Baby Name Project, letters are sent to parents about how each family member can contribute. It helps parents educate their children on when they born, events leading to it, and their name origin. With this, children can learn a bit and pieces of information about their birth.
Parents Involvement in Traditional Homework
The contributions of parents to their kids’ education cannot be underrated. Studies show that kids’ academic achievement improves when parents get involved in their learning. That aside, the importance of homework include,
- It reinforces skills and information acquisition. When one continues to learn something, it becomes part of them.
- Prepares students for a new topic. Sometimes teachers assign students to read about a particular topic, which would be taught in the next class. It affords students to have prior knowledge about the said topic and prepare to ask questions, if any.
- Teaches life skills and prepares students for future engagement. Through homework, kids can learn essential life skills like time management, self-discipline, and being independent.
- The parent gets involved in the learning process of their children. When a kid brings an assignment home, the parent can assist when the child faces any challenges. Through this, they are also able to know what their child is taught in school.
- Homework is another way of imbibing into students the act of responsibility and initiative. As some home tasks demand research, the child may need to employ other skills to get it done.
- Assignments help students to continue the education process. It is the best way to prevent students from wasting their time on less important things when home.
