Montessori: No Homework
There is no scientific evidence that homework has any positive effects on learning
Many parents base their understanding of education on their own experience, often forgetting themselves the value or non value it offered. Does homework add value, does it enhance or promote deeper understanding? Beyond the possible benefits for those who mandate the curricula (who are rarely the teachers themselves) there is no research pointing to the benefits of homework for pre and primary school aged students. In fact, there still isn’t any evidence that proves a positive correlation between homework and achievement.
“We cannot know the consequences of suppressing a child's spontaneity when he is just beginning to be active. We may even suffocate life itself. That humanity which is revealed in all its’ intellectual splendor during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.” ~Maria Montessori
School work can be completed during school hours
Children spend on average six hours at school a day five days a week, during which they are exposed to educational materials and lessons. In a Montessori setting, the curriculum is covered during these hours, within the classroom setting with the view that outside of school hours, time can be dedicated to exploring their world outside of school which may include co-curricular activities such as sport, art, dance etc, spending valuable bonding time with family and most importantly rest.
Homework increases stress levels for young children and their parents
Neuroscience shows that 'rest' for a young child’s mind is the best way to consolidate the learning they did in the day and improves memory.
http://www.educationalneuroscience.org.uk/resources/neuromyth-or-neurofact/well-rested-children-do-better-at-school/ Yet, homework seems to continue to be among the first reasons for conflict between parents and children. The assumption and expectation behind homework, at least during the primary school years, is that parents will help the child complete the homework. This often means that the parent(s) has to teach, explain, deliver the actual lesson, and/or that the parent has to supervise the completion of the homework. This often results in creating stress and tension for both the child and parent.
https://archive.nytimes.com/parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/when-homework-stresses-parents-as-well-as-students/
Learning continues at home
In the absence of traditional set homework, learning still continues at home. Montessori teachers will often refer to the ‘three period lesson.’ This refers to the three stages of working with an idea or new information. In the first period, there is the presentation or the lesson where the student is introduced to the concept. The second period is the period of time the student spends practising the concept, making mistakes and receiving additional teaching and guidance. In the third period of the work, the student understands the concept and is ready to try applying it in new situations; and home is a wonderful place to apply this new knowledge. At Montessori we say leave the first and second period of work for the classroom and the third period can be knowledge reinforced at home. Here is an article with some ideas to extend your children’s learning at home according to the curriculum areas of:
- Language and literacy
- Mathematics
- Science & technology
- Health & physical development
- History & geography
- Creative & practical arts
- Social & emotional development
- Technology & media literacy.
Resources: