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09/02/2004
Homework at root of many family arguments, says report
Homework can cause friction between parents and children, especially in middle-class families where concerns about a child’s future can lead to a climate of pressure to succeed, according to a report published today.
According to the Institute of Education report, 'Homework: The evidence', homework can also create anxiety, boredom, fatigue and emotional exhaustion in children, who resent the encroachment on their free time, even though they think homework helps them do well at school.
The resulting damage to the parent-child relationship may outweigh any educational advantage homework may bring, the Institute claimed.
The study is a review of 75 years of research on homework in the UK, the USA, Europe, Australia and the Far and Middle East, analysing the effects of homework on children of different abilities, ethnicities, ages and genders and considers the viewpoints of teachers, parents and pupils.
The report found that problems can arise when parents try to help with homework, especially when they feel they lack the knowledge or the time. Parents may inhibit their children’s effectiveness in doing homework by trying to control the homework environment – telling children when and where to do homework or trying to eliminate distractions – instead of helping them adapt it to suit their learning styles, the body said.
On the plus side, homework can encourage parental involvement in their children’s studies, increase children’s independence and provide opportunities for practice and skill development. Positive parental involvement in homework has been shown to be the strongest predictor of better grades, the report said.
Report author Dr Susan Hallam said: “Parents have the most positive influence when they offer moral support, make appropriate resources available and discuss general issues. They should only actually help with homework when their children specifically ask them to.”
The government recommends one hour a week of homework for five to seven-year-olds and two and a half hours a day for students aged 14 to 16.
(gmcg)
According to the Institute of Education report, 'Homework: The evidence', homework can also create anxiety, boredom, fatigue and emotional exhaustion in children, who resent the encroachment on their free time, even though they think homework helps them do well at school.
The resulting damage to the parent-child relationship may outweigh any educational advantage homework may bring, the Institute claimed.
The study is a review of 75 years of research on homework in the UK, the USA, Europe, Australia and the Far and Middle East, analysing the effects of homework on children of different abilities, ethnicities, ages and genders and considers the viewpoints of teachers, parents and pupils.
The report found that problems can arise when parents try to help with homework, especially when they feel they lack the knowledge or the time. Parents may inhibit their children’s effectiveness in doing homework by trying to control the homework environment – telling children when and where to do homework or trying to eliminate distractions – instead of helping them adapt it to suit their learning styles, the body said.
On the plus side, homework can encourage parental involvement in their children’s studies, increase children’s independence and provide opportunities for practice and skill development. Positive parental involvement in homework has been shown to be the strongest predictor of better grades, the report said.
Report author Dr Susan Hallam said: “Parents have the most positive influence when they offer moral support, make appropriate resources available and discuss general issues. They should only actually help with homework when their children specifically ask them to.”
The government recommends one hour a week of homework for five to seven-year-olds and two and a half hours a day for students aged 14 to 16.
(gmcg)
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Ofsted Chief: 'Bad Parents' Should Be Fined
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Learndirect criticised in NAO report
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02 December 2004
Extra skills training to be offered to workers in England
In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor has announced that workers in England who have no basic qualifications or skills training under their belt will be offered additional skills training.
Extra skills training to be offered to workers in England
In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor has announced that workers in England who have no basic qualifications or skills training under their belt will be offered additional skills training.
11 December 2006
One in ten UK citizens opt to live broad
A report published today has indicated that around 5.5 million British-born people are living overseas. More than 198,000 British nationals moved overseas last year, bringing the total number of Brits abroad to more than 5.5 million, according to new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
One in ten UK citizens opt to live broad
A report published today has indicated that around 5.5 million British-born people are living overseas. More than 198,000 British nationals moved overseas last year, bringing the total number of Brits abroad to more than 5.5 million, according to new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
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