Homework for 5 - 11 year olds. Does your child receive, and do you agree?

Tweet

Hi I am interested in any answers I get for this discussion as I am doing a research project on the subject, so you opinions will help me alot. In the UK, children can be set homework although its not compulsory for school to set it. Most schools do set it, and usually it takes children alot longer than the Government guidelines. The Government say that although it isn't compulsory for schools to set it, they themselves can make it compulsory for the children to do it if and when they do set it. Schools say that they are aiming at getting parent to be involved in the homework at this age, and they try to set homework often that involves parents to help, and do projects with their children. Part of the big debate includes issues such as Should children of this age, be given the stress and pressure of extra homework? It is believed by many parents to be a great cause of stress and family unrest at this age. Should children be kept in during their breaks at school to complete any unfinished homework? Bearing in mind that they are not then getting fresh air, exercise and social time. Should the school expect parents to have the time and the inclination to help out? This is relying on parents feeling educated enough to be able to help out, the resources to do so, and in todays world of working parents the time to do it. If your child does get homework do you feel they get enough, too little or just about the right amount and do you agree with it being set? If your child is in an after school club, child minder or any other after school setting while you are at work should they help out and do the homework? This is the basis of my research as our nursery also has an after school club, and we are wanting to know whether parents feel they have the time to spend in the evenings getting involved with homework. Or would they prefer us to help out and give the child some homework time during the club, which although will help the parents, no doubt, but it defeats the point of the schools setting it for parental involvement. We are very happy to do it, if this is what parents want, but in general the staff believe that the children should be given the chance to relax and have fun at this age, at the end of their day. What is your opinions on any or all of the above. Even if you are not in the UK, what are the guideline where you are and do children get homework at this age?