Homework in Waldorf Education: Meeting Your Child through the Years

The word homework can evoke many different emotions for people. For some it can evoke fear and trauma, while in others it can be a source of interest and inspiration. For parents, homework can be a check in regarding the education of their child. It can be a way to assess the child’s progress and to support their education. Yet for many parents it can be a source of stress and contention with their children. Over the years since the implementation of homework in education, many studies have been done regarding its efficacy. Most show us that it can be effective when given appropriately at the right age. This report will look at some of these studies to show the efficacy of different homework styles and how this relates to the homework given at the Waldorf School of Bend.

This report informs parents about the effects of homework in the lower grades, how it is addressed at the Waldorf School of Bend (WSB), and shares some ideas of how parents can support their child’s education at home. Most of the parents at WSB appreciate our approach to education, but don’t always understand the reasons and research behind our choices. This report explains the reasons we give little homework in the lower grades. In this way parents can inform themselves about the learning styles and philosophies regarding homework at WSB.

Read the full report written by Laura Elmore here.