Letters | Less homework, more fun: why Hong Kong parents must let kids go out and play
- Hours of homework as a learning strategy is questionable. Meanwhile, children lose out on other ways to develop themselves
Phrases like “tiger parents” and “winning in the womb” are trending on the internet these days because Hong Kong parents have high hopes for their children. The parents consider homework to be the best way to ensure their children pass exams with flying colours. But if children need hours to finish their homework, does it still help boost their exam scores? There is no objective answer to this question.
Also, is homework meant to assist rote learning and drilling, or is it for revising what was taught in class? When children spend hours doing assignments, they have already lost leisure time that could have been spent playing, developing their minds and engaging with family.
Parents do not need to panic if their children have less homework. Instead, they should be glad that their children have more time and space to relax.
Let me end with a quote from author Jess Lair: “Children are not things to be moulded, but are people to be unfolded.”
Tracy Yip, Kwai Chung