5 alternative plans to an afternoon of homework
During the last years, the Spanish children are seeing their childhood compromised by the school homework. The excess of duties and tasks leaves them no time to perform other types of activities that are fundamental for the development of children. And it is that learning is so important for children as having leisure time to have fun with educational and productive activities.
According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Spaniards devote an average of 6.5 hours per week to doing homework, a figure puts Spain in the fifth country that places more duties. So much so that his level of stress is 20 points above the world average according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Family duties and family conciliation
These long days of homework hurt children, according to the WHO report 53% of children and 55% of Spanish girls are burdened by school work. This affects the whole family environment, favors discussions in the home and disturbs coexistence.
Sometimes parents have to support their children, even when they do not have the necessary knowledge to help them, causing a feeling of helplessness in the parents and frustration in the children and preventing them from enjoying more of the time they spend together.
"Homework should always be a reinforcement to the work that is done in the classroom, developing personal skills that allow learning to be strengthened: memorize, inquire about new information, develop planning skills, stimulate creativity, etc.", says Ana Herrero, Coordinator of the Guidance Departments of Brains International School. "The learning of children can not be summarized to the academic field, we must enhance their creativity and allow them a space to play and interact with other children through extracurricular activities, physical exercise or simple game," he says.
Alternative plans to an afternoon of homework
1. Reading: a good book, the best alternative to homework. Reading benefits children in many aspects, enhances creativity, broadens knowledge and improves children's ability to concentrate and retention. In addition, it creates a habit of work and dedication that will be useful in the future.
2. Extracurricular activities, other fields to learn. Expand the borders of children With extracurricular activities it is very beneficial since they are an active complement to the education of the children: basketball, solfege, swimming or dancing are activities that develop their skills and facilitate an alternative learning.
3. Play on the street. Recovering outdoor play time is an educational obligation. Playing in the park or practicing a sport on a court facilitates cognitive and emotional development in many aspects, among which is the ability to relate to other children. The game has to be part of your daily routine also outside the playground and, if possible, outdoors.
4. Leisure activities as experiences for learning. Going to the theater, to a museum, to the zoo or simply taking a walk around the city are exciting activities that show children other realities of the world in which they live. These activities encourage their curiosity and provide them with a greater capacity for understanding.
5. Take advantage of family time. Spending time with family, either going to the park or doing crafts on rainy days, strengthen ties between parents, children and siblings. Establishing a dinner routine with family, resting watching a movie or telling a story to children before going to sleep establish bonds that last a lifetime.
Ana Herrero Coordinator of the Braims School
