Homework Headaches: Why Parents Wish the Dog Really Did Eat their Kid's Homework

BALTIMORE, June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For many parents, fear of math and science homework haunts them decades after graduation when their own children hunt them down for homework help. 

A full 42 percent of parents of children ages 5-12 feel intimidated when their child asks them for help with science or math homework, according to a new survey by Wakefield Research for Sylvan Learning. 

How scared are they? The survey found 40 percent who feel intimidated by their child's homework questions would rather scrape chewing gum off all the desks in their child's classroom than do their child's science and math homework.

SAVING FACE
Meanwhile, 55 percent of parents frequently look up answers to math or science homework questions without telling their children. Where do they go? According to the survey:

• Online search engines (79%)
• Significant others (36%)
• Smartphone apps (29%)

BUYING TIME
On the other hand, two-thirds of parents have simply stalled for time when they can't immediately answer their child's science or math homework questions. The top stalling technique is to ask their child what they thought the answer was – 46 percent of parents have done this. And 27 percent have told their child to ask their significant other instead.

"Let's face it, no matter how well a parent may have done in math or science when they were in school, for many of them, it has been decades since they've had regular exposure to these subjects," said Sylvan spokeswoman Amy Przywara. "So it's not surprising they may find themselves hemming and hawing in front of their children while secretly tracking down answers on their mobile phones."

GENERATIONAL SHIFT
Fortunately, there are better options today for parents looking to help their children in math and science beyond just bluffing it or relying on Google to raise them.  After school education programs, for example, have seen a tremendous increase in popularity in recent decades. 

Once seen as a remedial education option, after school programs are now viewed as accelerators giving children an edge on peers in grades and standardized tests and can often explore STEM topics like robotics and computer coding that many school districts don't have the time nor resources to teach.

The survey found while only 15 percent of Baby Boomers reported attending such programs growing up – and 27 percent of Gen X – over half of Millennials say they were enrolled. And when it comes to the children of Millennials, nearly three quarters of the parents say their children are currently enrolled or will be in the future.

"Children today face more standardized tests, increased competition for coveted college seats and an increased need to accelerate in STEM fields, where many of the job opportunities of the future will be," said Przywara . "Globalization also means they are no longer just competing against their peers or kids from the next state over. They now have to compete with the best and brightest from Shanghai, Oslo and Seoul."

METHODOLOGICAL NOTES 
The Sylvan Learning Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 U.S. parents of children ages 5-12, between May 2nd and May 9th, 2016, using an email invitation and an online survey. 

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING, INC
With more than 35 years of experience and more than 750 locations throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan's proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE—STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep —college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or SylvanLearning.com/blog.

MEDIA CONTACT
Ryan Oliver
Zeno Group
212-824-0040
[email protected]

SOURCE Sylvan Learning, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.SylvanLearning.com