Homework Teaches Children...
To Take Initiative
Children initiate study. Homework makes them take the initiative. Teachers get the schoolwork done from students whereas students initiate doing homework. There is a sense of responsibility associated with completing their homework and a feeling of accomplishment after completing it.
To Develop Time Management
Children start allotting their time to study and play, thus learning to complete their scheduled tasks in the time they have. They learn to set priorities and also to do things on their own. They manage their time and complete their work independently. Homework encourages self-discipline in the kids.
To Learn with Interest
Homework builds confidence in their minds. Teachers give comments on the work students do. Teachers' positive remarks boost the students' confidence and encourage them to keep up with their good work. They learn to follow instructions and complete their assignments with responsibility. They need to explore various topics, refer to research material, and search for information in order to do the home assignments. Thus, homework helps in developing an aptitude for exploring and learning.
To Improve the Grasp on Subjects
Students get an opportunity to apply their skills and enhance them. Homework gives students a chance to learn from their mistakes and improve on their weaknesses. Home assignments provide them with a platform to express what they know or have newly found out, and exhibit their talent. Homework gives students the practice of whatever they learn in school, thus helping in the reinforcement of the concepts learned. This helps them score better in class tests and eventually improves their academic results.
The Importance of Planning
Be it assignments or projects, completing them requires planning, organizing and acting upon them. The task of completing the homework on time and regularly, helps generate in the child, a sense of proper planning. Managing time and planning are two terms with a thin line of difference between them. While proper time management allocates a fixed time for sitting down for homework, planning involves ways to get all the homework done - subject by subject one after the other, based on their levels of difficulty.
Homework should be Proportionate to the Students' Age and Mental Ability
Obviously, it is the amount of homework that governs its benefits. Homework that gradually increases every year enhances academic achievement but it should not become a punishment. The amount and difficulty level of homework assignments should match the age and ability of the students. Homework proves to be beneficial only if it does not put the students under stress or pressure. It is not good to burden them with assignments and expect them to do well in studies.
Parents should Encourage Homework
The motivation offered by homework should be accompanied by parent involvement. Some say that homework serves as a link between the school and home. Parents must strengthen this link by taking interest and supporting their children in their home assignments. Parents play an important part, when it comes to showing children that homework is not boring and that it is definitely not a waste of time.
I believe in the benefits of homework. But according to me, homework in the form of projects is more helpful than practice assignments. Students should be encouraged to work creatively. A project on a topic outside the school curriculum leads students to explore new subjects and learn new and interesting things they didn't know about. It encourages general reading. Studies do not remain monotonous. Children think, research and innovate. This results in an added advantage of homework that studies do not remain confined to textbooks. Children realize that there's a world beyond. 'Good' homework is their window to this world.
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