With the arrival of summer, many families face the same dilemma: Should my children do homework during the summer?
Opinions are clearly divided. Some argue that it’s important to maintain school work habits and prevent the “forgetting” of what was learned, while others prefer to completely break from routine and prioritize rest and a break from academics.
From an educational perspective, the answer isn’t a simple “yes” or “no” — it’s more nuanced. Let’s explore the main arguments on both sides, and I’ll offer a balanced proposal for families with children between 8 and 12 years old.
Arguments Against Summer Homework
The real need for rest.
At the end of the school year, children need to disconnect from academics to recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally. We must recognize that rest also plays a key role in the learning process. Good rest allows children to consolidate, integrate, and make sense of what they’ve experienced during the year.
Play as a natural way of learning.
At this stage of development, play is highly meaningful for children’s learning. Sometimes, assigning schoolwork can take away time, space, and motivation for other equally valuable experiences.
Educational inequalities.
Not all families have the same conditions to support homework—time, availability, schedules, educational background, resources… Imposing tasks without considering these contexts can create tension and challenges for some families.
Arguments in Favor of Maintaining Some Academic Activity
Preventing regression or forgetting.
Some studies show that over the summer, children may lose skills in areas like reading, writing, or math—especially if they go several weeks without practicing.
Encouraging responsibility and autonomy.
When activities are proposed by the children themselves, it can promote their sense of responsibility, self-esteem, and place within the family—especially when approached without pressure.
Support in specific cases.
When there have been academic difficulties during the year, a well-designed summer plan (in terms of activities, timing, and effort required) can be very beneficial.
So, is there a middle ground?
Instead of assigning repetitive worksheets or mechanical tasks, let’s look for alternative proposals that meet the following criteria:
- Short and meaningful. Tasks that can be done during a chosen time of day and that adapt to the slower pace of summer.
- Flexible and offer choices. Let children choose from different activities like reading a book, writing a journal, researching a topic of interest, or creating an artistic or science project.
- Connected to real life. Cooking and preparing ingredients, planning a trip or outing, reading a map, writing a postcard, painting a landscape, making a plant journal…
- Motivating. Maybe homework doesn’t have to happen every day or at the same time. The goal is to encourage enjoyment in the task—especially if the child chooses it.
Great Alternatives to Traditional Homework
- Daily reading
- A personal or vacation journal
- Math challenges (through games or real-life situations)
- Creative projects: building, drawing, writing, painting
- Educational outings: museums, nature trips
From both my personal and professional experience, I always say: summer is long, and there’s time for everything. I also understand that homework can sometimes be a burden for parents, and summer should above all be a time for rest and enjoyment for everyone.
My conclusion is that it’s not about saying a strict “yes” or “no” to summer homework, but rather rethinking it.
Instead of repeating the schoolwork model, summer can be an opportunity for children to learn through curiosity, interest, and lived experiences.
In summer, there’s no need to stop learning—just perhaps change how we learn.
