ADHD and Too Much Homework: The Early Elementary Years

 Many parents of kids with ADHD wish that they didn’t have to deal with tantrums over homework.  And interestingly, some schools are banning homework.  So what’s the deal?  Will ADHD kids stand to benefit from homework bans?  Should no homework be written into your child’s educational plan?

Many parents feel that more homework will help their child learn faster.  However, for younger students, academic achievement isn’t boosted by homework, and may actually be decreased by it.   However, some educators argue that homework in grades K-3 is mainly training for upper grades namely:

1)      to develop good habits, such as a homework routine and learning to keep track of assignments until they are turned in.

2)      to develop good attitudes towards learning outside of school

3)      to keep parents appraised of the student’s progress

In other words, the point of the assignment isn’t learning the topic of the assignment, but learning how to do homework and be a good student outside of class.

So, if your child is in the lower grades and you are having frequent homework battles, you may want to ask the teacher to adjust the homework so that your child can achieve the goals they are looking for.  Some adjustments you may ask for include:

1)      decreasing the length of assignments

2)      changing the assignments to something more hands on, especially if all you get is seat work

3)      allowing assignments to be limited to a certain time length.

4)      having assignments emailed or posted on the school’s website

You can also help your child at home by:

1)      setting up a homework routine

2)      teaching your child to clean out their backpack and use an accordion file (to help them keep track of the papers they actually still need)

3)      checking in with the teacher about homework assignments, and teaching your child how to check their assignments electronically.

References:

Marzano, Robert J., and Debra Pickering J. "Special Topic / The Case For and Against Homework." Educational Leadership:Responding to Changing Demographics:The Case For and Against Homework. ASCD, Mar. 2007. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.