Gone are the days when kids could enjoy holiday breaks homework-free. Sadly, the trend now seems to be that students receive assignments they must complete during their time away from school. Whether it’s a complicated science project or a reading log proving they’ve put in the required hours with their noses buried in a book, children are often burdened with schoolwork during a time that should otherwise be a respite from their academic responsibilities.
Not only does holiday homework hang over students’ heads, but it also places a burden on parents who must ensure their children complete the tasks assigned by teachers. So, is it fair for educators to give out assignments over the holidays?
As a parent of three school-age children, I find myself disappointed when I learn that one or more of my kids is required to work on a school project during a break. I simply can’t comprehend why their teachers won’t allow them to relax and take a step back from the daily workload they manage throughout the school year. Of course, I understand that teachers have good intentions, but I’d love for them to cut the kids some slack during extended time off.
When I was a kid, schoolwork over the break was often optional—offered as extra credit or for enrichment. I remember eagerly completing the public library reading challenge every summer. We would log the books we read and hope to win a prize at the end. Of course, plenty of greedy and dishonest kids simply listed unread book titles and authors without consequence, as the entire system was based on the honor code. I always truly read during the summer—but never managed to win a coveted reading challenge prize.
Speaking of extra credit, one teacher I spoke to didn’t believe in offering it. He felt it gave students an out—a way to skip the “real work” required by the curriculum. Interestingly, he shared that some enthusiastic students would even request holiday homework in an attempt to impress him and score extra points. He would actually deny these requests!
The Surprising Benefits of Holiday Homework
There might actually be a bright side to having homework over the holidays. My kids definitely get bored after being home for several days. Threatening them with their assigned schoolwork could spare my ears from their constant complaints. They already know that if they tell me they’re bored, I have a long list of chores ready to keep them occupied. Adding homework to that list might just keep the whining at bay.
Another positive aspect of at-home schoolwork is that it can help kids avoid spending the entire day glued to screens. Laptops, tablets, video games, movies, TV shows, and smartphones all conspire to dominate a child’s time. Forcing them to turn off devices and pick up a pencil to solve math problems might just be what they need.
Of course, if your child is struggling academically, not only might vacation homework be helpful, but perhaps hiring a tutor is also necessary. Holidays can be the perfect opportunity for a student who’s fallen behind to play catch-up. After reviewing a less-than-stellar report card, consider speaking with your child’s teacher for suggestions on supplemental work that can be done during the break.
Even if your children don’t receive official homework, vacation time is a great opportunity to teach them life skills. They’re well-rested, relaxed, and open to learning in new ways. Make it fun! Use baking to teach them about measurements and fractions—and enjoy cookies as a reward. Dust off the sewing machine and show them how to quilt. Take a class together to learn knitting or try your hand at origami. Have them journal each new experience to share with their teacher—who knows, it might even earn them extra credit for going the extra mile at home. You will always be your child’s first—and best—teacher. Maybe the teachers are onto something after all.
In the end, if you find holiday homework troubling, simply reach out to your child’s teacher. Most are reasonable and willing to explain the reasoning behind assigning extra work. Perhaps their curriculum is jam-packed and they see no other way to complete it by year-end. Maybe their class’s test scores fall below national or state standards, and they believe the extra assignments provide an academic boost. Or, maybe they think keeping students engaged over the break helps parents who might otherwise struggle with bored kids.
Whatever the case, avoid expressing negative feelings about homework in front of your child. If you have concerns, discuss them privately with the teacher. Your child is watching and will pick up on your attitude. Negative associations with school, teachers, or homework can influence their mindset and lead to resentment toward learning. Holiday homework may not be your ideal, but it might just benefit your child in the long run.
Then again, maybe the “unschoolers” have it all figured out. Kids can learn a lot just by exploring the world around them. They don’t need paperwork to absorb life’s lessons. So perhaps we should let kids be kids during the holidays—and encourage teachers to reconsider their homework policies, especially when it comes to well-earned breaks.
