Some teachers give as homework assignments work of a kind that research suggests is most effective educationally when done in class.

For children younger than 12, regularly doing homework in the first years of school has no proven academic value, but many educators believe that it fosters self-discipline and time management.

Some homework assignments are related to free-time activities that children engage in, such as reading or hobbies.

A substantial proportion of schoolchildren under 12, particularly those in their first few years of school, have less than 10 minutes of homework assigned per night.

Some free-time activities teach children skills or information that they later find useful in their schoolwork.