Does anyone else think this is a bad idea? Like… a really bad idea? A homework ban to save pupils from depression? Because nothing is better for your brain than to use it less…

Let me explain something very important: Homework helps your brain (this person explained it well).

“How?”, you may ask. Get ready to learn, ladies and gentlemen (no pun intended).

• Stimulation of the brain helps release hormones that can combat depression. Dopamine is released when we are rewarded and helps us to retain information better. The more engaged we are in learning, the more likely we are to retain the information. If we get rid of homework, that’s less time that the brain is being engaged in learning, and the results will be that we don’t do as well in school. We aren’t rewarded with a good grade and less dopamine is produced, etc. etc. A homework ban means kids are spending less time revisiting and solidifying information in their brains. The trick is to make students interested in learning, not ban homework all together.Serotonin is the biggest player. Most of our brain cells are “influenced either directly or indirectly by serotonin.”  This includes parts of the brain related to memory and learning. Depression can happen when there is an imbalance in one’s serotonin levels, though it hasn’t been proven this 100%.
• Muscle memory also applies to the brain. Have you seen those Celebrex commercials that say “A body in motion stays in motion?” Well, the same can be said of the brain. Just as exercise helps release chemicals helpful to the brain, such as endorphins (which are also natural pain-killers), stimulation of the brain helps release serotonin and dopamine. Learning languages is especially helpful for those with depression. But the thing with learning languages is, you have to keep up with it. You have to use the things you learn frequently, otherwise you’ll forget. I know this because I took Russian, didn’t use it for awhile, and I remember only basic phrases, where before I could hold a conversation. Which brings me to my final point…
• Homework helps improve memory (see memory tip #5). The “use it or lose it” principle applies in all stages of life, but especially when we’re younger and more able to retain information. Keep your brain busy, and your memory will improve. The aforementioned article about memory improvement has some great tips on how to keep things fresh and interesting while learning. There’s also a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in learning that helps boost your confidence. It’s rewarding to gain knowledge, although it may not seem like it at the time you’re in school. Just trust me on this, guys. Keep your brain healthy, and your moods will follow.

In my opinion, there are far more pros than cons to homework, but I’m interested in hearing the other side of things too. The biggest argument I’ve been hearing is that too much homework is stressful for kids (which I totally agree with, keywords being too much), and I’d be interested to hear what others have to say about this.

What do you think about the homework ban? Good? Bad? If so, why? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Featured image copyright cayusa via Flickr. Image has been cropped.