'We’re Done!' Mom Refuses Kindergarten Homework, Says It's Stressing Out Her Son

September 16, 2024

Cayley, a mother of three, is taking a stand against homework for her kindergarten-aged son, saying it’s causing more harm than good.

In a video that has sparked debate online, she explained her decision to opt out of her son’s assignments for the rest of the year. She shared that most parents might not know this, but you can "opt out" of homework for your child.

@cayleyxox

“I just sent my son’s kindergarten teacher a cutesy little email saying, ‘I’m sorry, based on the stress, mental and physical anxiety it’s causing my kid, we are done. We are opting out for the rest of the year,'” Cayley said.

She revealed that her son was given a 15- to 20-page homework packet during the first week of school. What seemed manageable on the surface quickly became overwhelming. “We have been working on it, trying to do our best, and it’s causing him so much stress,” Cayley said. “This morning, I had him sit down... and I started crying, he started crying. It was an emotional mess.”

Cayley went on to explain how the homework situation had begun to affect her son’s love for school.

“For the last two weeks, he’s told me he doesn’t even like school and doesn’t want to be there anymore, which hurts my mama heart because he’s 5. He’s in kindergarten. The only thing he should be worried about is learning and what time snack time is.”

She also questioned the broader message that early homework might be sending to children. “What are we teaching them? That they should bring work home after a full day at school? No. We are not teaching our children the 'work to live' mindset. We don’t live to work. In this household, we’re done doing homework.”

@cayleyxox I hope it inspires more parents to do it for their children ❤️ #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound - cayleyxo

The video sparked mixed reactions from viewers, with some agreeing that homework can be unnecessary, especially for young children, while others believe it’s an important part of the learning process.

The Debate: Is Homework Beneficial for Young Children?

Research on the value of homework, especially for younger children, has been mixed. Studies suggest that homework in early grades has limited academic benefits. According to Harris Cooper, a leading researcher on homework, elementary school students do not significantly benefit from homework in terms of academic achievement. The "10-minute rule"—where students are assigned about 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night—is often cited, but for kindergarteners, that would amount to no more than 5–10 minutes.

In contrast, some studies argue that small amounts of homework help instill discipline, time management, and responsibility in children from a young age. However, excessive or poorly designed assignments can lead to unnecessary stress, burnout, and resentment toward school, as Cayley experienced with her son.

Many educators and child development experts argue that play, social interaction, and creative learning should be the main focus during early childhood education, allowing children to develop a genuine love for learning.

What do you think? Should homework be required for kindergarteners, or is it more important to prioritize play and curiosity at this age? Share your thoughts below!