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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]To the pp, that is because preschoolers shouldn't be given homework. Elementary school children could do some homework. Your example is one of those bad homework assignments. That is why this research is useless. If homework assignments are inappropriate, the research of its efficacy is by necessity useless. [/quote]

Of course they COULD do some homework.  But, the question is - is it really beneficial. 
I am with the experts who say it isn’t.
The research I have seen have looked at what many consider “appropriate” homework.  And, they still find that there is no benefit.

What do you believe to be appropriate homework?  [/quote]

I see a lot of benefit of having a little homework, the simple fact of keeping track of it and turn it in the next day or next week is good exercise of the executive function. And if the homework is reinforcing learning at all is just a bonus. What is wrong with a worksheet on math facts everyday. It takes a few minutes and it is good practice.

And Harris Cooper is cited as an anti-homework expert. But he is not. He just want them to be less not none. [/quote]

The issue I have with something like a sheet of math facts is that kids who know their facts, don’t need it and kids who don’t know their facts often practice them wrong, thus leading to incorrect learning.  Practice does not make perfect.  Practice makes permanent.  Only perfect practice makes perfect.  And, too often, kids don’t have perfect practice.  
If parents want their kids to do work at home, I am ok with them having their kids do something. As long as it is not worksheet after worksheet - these simply teach kids that learning is tedious and boring.  And, the worksheets are usually math-related which is doubly bad since we want kids to like learning mathematics - too many think it is boring already.   Some kids actually ask for some kind of homework. Best thing to do, IMO, is to READ with your child and TALK about what you’re reading.  Ask questions.  Discuss alternate endings.  What I am really against is teachers assigning mandatory homework that impinges on family life.  
If a teacher wants to have parents fill out a reading log or something very simple to help kids get in the habit of keeping track of it - that is ok by me.  But, don’t make kids write something about everything they read, because then kids do not look forward to reading.  This happened to my son.  He still, today, does not read for enjoyment (and he is in his 30’s). 
There are so many things parents can do with their kids to help them learn that are much more beneficial than the homework they bring home.  Give them time to do these things.  [/quote]

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