Figuring out the right amount of schoolwork for young homeschooled children can be tricky. Dalena van der Westhuizen, a cognitive development specialist from BrainAbility, answers Annemie Grobler's question. Dalena suggests shifting the focus from hours spent to tasks achieved, promoting quality learning for young minds in South Africa
Many parents new to homeschooling grapple with structuring their child’s day and determining an appropriate homeschooling daily workload. It is a common concern, especially when considering how much schoolwork for young children is beneficial versus overwhelming.
The Question: How Much Schoolwork Should Young Kids Be Doing Every Day? – Annemie Grobler
How much schoolwork should young kids be doing every day? – Annemie Grobler
Dalena’s Advice: Shifting Focus from Time to Tasks
Hi Annemie,
There’s an ongoing debate and conflicting information about this in educational circles. In my opinion, reframing the focus of schoolwork instead of the time spent on it daily might yield an appropriate guideline for your child/children.
An approach growing in popularity suggests that perhaps the amount of time a child spends on doing schoolwork every day is actually not that important. Instead, the focus should be on ‘what do I need to do?’ or ‘what do I want to achieve today?’ This perspective is key when considering your homeschooling South Africa schedule.
For students to achieve what they should be doing, they need to have a plan and know what they need to get done each day. This could be a to-do-list, task list, or a set of outcomes they would like to complete. In other words, a student (and parents) need to focus on the quality of the schoolwork done (quality output) and not the quantity (time spent doing it). This method champions task-based learning homeschool environments and prioritises quality learning time. Effective homeschool planning hinges on this output-oriented approach rather than merely clock-watching, making the homeschool daily workload more manageable and meaningful.
Extra Information: Embracing Flexible Learning for Young Children
Focusing on tasks rather than hours aligns well with the natural learning rhythms of young children. Their attention spans are generally shorter, and their engagement peaks when they understand the purpose of an activity. A task-oriented approach allows for flexibility. Some days a child might complete their “must-do” tasks quickly, leaving more time for play-based learning or exploration, which are also valuable. Other days, a particular concept might require more time and patience.
Many South African homeschooling resource providers encourage this flexible approach. For instance, some curriculum providers design their materials around achievable daily or weekly goals rather than strict timetables. The Pestalozzi Trust, a South African homeschool legal defence association, often discusses the freedom and flexibility inherent in home education, which allows parents to tailor learning to their child’s needs, including workload. Similarly, focusing on quality engagement is a principle echoed in early childhood development research, like that supported by organisations such as UNICEF South Africa, which promotes child-centred learning approaches.
Consider incorporating a visual checklist or a “done list” where your child can see their accomplishments. This builds a sense of achievement and motivation far more effectively than just watching the clock.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Determining the right homeschool daily workload for young children is less about hours and more about meaningful engagement and task completion. By shifting the focus to quality outcomes, parents can create a more positive and effective learning experience.
How do you manage your young child’s homeschool workload? Do you focus on time or tasks? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
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