Is Less Homework Bad for Learning? What Teachers Want Parents to Know

Let Kids Be Kids: Rethinking What Supports Learning at Home

"Their brain should hurt at the end of the day — that's how hard we're pushing them in the classroom." If you've ever wondered whether your child's lighter homework load means less learning, fifth grade teacher Tim Schooley and sixth grade teacher Kelly Perry are here to reframe the conversation. With nearly 40 combined years in the classroom, they join hosts Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson to explain how homework has evolved, why today's classrooms are more rigorous than ever, and what parents can actually do at home to support learning.

Discover why the best homework is always review, never new content, how classroom deadlines and conversations build the study skills kids need for middle school and beyond, and why reading the teacher newsletter might be the most powerful thing a parent can do.

Whether you're a parent frustrated by how little comes home or an educator fielding questions at conferences, this episode offers the practical perspective that changes how you think about homework.