Tsk, tsk. So much to write about so little time…
Today’s Tennessean offers an article entitled, “Good habits prevent homework hassles.“ What’s so crazy to me is that parents don’t pause to think about the insanity of their kids attending school 8 hours a day and then what precious little family time a typical family has…..can be swallowed up in homework hassles.
A comment later in the article by a “Homework expert” (How the heck does one qualify as a “homework expert?) and Professor of Psychology at Duke University cautions parents about not assuming the “risk” of teaching their children. Once again, the expert has spoken and many parents will genuflect at their words.
Piffle, I say. Here’s what I said in response to the story:
“They run the risk of teaching their children….” Harris Cooper, a leading homework expert.
“Say what? ” Theresa Lode, mom.
As a home educator I am mystified by these comments. I am also deeply saddened at how parents accept the message that it is only “the experts” that are qualified to teach their children. And then when I consider how these children are kept busy from dawn till dusk attending school and then doing homework having no/little opportunity to mingle with the real world and experience real work I don’t see a good outcome down the road.
The lion’s share of children graduate having no clue as to what they want to do. And more that 80% of working adults would would change jobs if they could. (Check out Dan Miller’s No More Mondays book.)
True education must first begin with a child getting the opportunity to explore their interests and passions. When they’re kept so busy, fat chance of that happening. And parents, whether your home educating, using private school or public school don’t be fooled for a minute: YOU are the expert on your child, not the state. We are ALL in the business of educating our kids.
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