when is national no homework day 2021

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Today is: No Homework Day

No Homework Day is as self-explanatory as it sounds. It is a day when students — whether they are in elementary school, middle school, high school, or college — are not to be given any homework for the day.

The holiday takes place twice during the school year, both times in Spring. It first takes place on the last Friday in March. It is unknown who placed the holiday at this time. The second time it takes place is on May 6. The holiday on that date was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, who said, "Give 'em a break, teachers! These young folks are working harder than Mom 'n' Dad."

Source: checkiday.com

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National No Housework Day – April 7, 2025

April 7 is a chance  to revel in National No Housework Day.  Put down the laundry and toss out the to-do list. For this one day, we can give ourselves a break and do what we want around the house. Maintaining a clean and liveable home can sometimes feel like a never-ending chore. As soon as you have finished the washing and the cleaning, it all needs doing again, and again, and again. Well, that’s why National No Housework Day is here, to allow yourself a break, meaning that  for one day at least, you don’t need to worry about the housework.

History of National No Housework Day

The history of housework and its perception as a largely female job dates back to the nineteenth century. As men began to specialize in paid work, housework became increasingly linked to women. The home was viewed as a pure, serene, and secure place, as opposed to the impure, unsympathetic, and uncertain world of work. Nowadays of course society tends to have a much more open mind to gender roles and the duty of upkeep in most households is seen as a shared responsibility. 

Innovation in household appliance technology has increased the efficiency with which work is carried out but also prompted higher standards of cleanliness. The self-contained electric or gas-powered appliances are a uniquely American innovation that began emerging a hundred years ago. During this time the washing machine, the refrigerator, the kettle, the iron, and the sewing machine were all invented as families sought ways of creating more free time in their lives. 

Housework has become so ingrained in our lives that Thomas and Ruth Roy felt it necessary to create a holiday where we don’t do any chores. They chose April 7 as National No Housework Day and encouraged people to “leave it all for tomorrow.”

National No Housework Day timeline

Thomas Roy started to create and patent his quirky holiday, one of which is National No Housework Day.

Thomas Roy, the creator of National No Housework Day, is born

More men began leaving the home for paid work. This often results in women remaining at home and being expected to do the housework.

Most workers and staff are dedicated to the upkeep of their own homes as they are the main sources of income and education.

National No Housework Day FAQ s

When is national no housework day.

April 7. 

Where is National No Housework Day observed?

The United States.

What can I do on National No Housework Day?

Anything you’d like. Take this chance to tick something off your personal to-do-list that you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t gotten around to.

National No Housework Day Activities

Give yourself a break.

Do what it says on the tin. It’s National No Housework Day and so you ignore any dusting or vacuuming and enjoy your day.

Binge that show you wanted to watch

If ignoring any household duties frees up some extra time for you then why not spend it catching up on your favorite flicks or series? Relax and tune into what you may have been putting off.

Use your kitchen

If you ever wanted to use your time to experiment in the kitchen without any worries, the day is now. Practice preparing that dish you always wanted or go crazy and create that snack of your dreams.

5 Facts About Housework

It used to be harder.

Thanks to the cleaners and appliances of today, housework has been made less strenuous over the years. We can particularly thank those around in the early 20th century for a spate of innovation.

Clutter doesn’t help

By getting rid of the unnecessary clutter in your home the average time spent doing housework can be cut in half.

A lot of cleaning

We spend an average of 13,000 hours of our lifetimes cleaning

Women still do more than men

A recent survey revealed that although the gap has shortened significantly, women still do around 40% more housework than men.

Toy-cleaning tip

Instead of cleaning your children’s toys one by one, check if they are dishwasher safe and tackle the whole chore at once.

Why we love National No Housework Day

It gives us a pause.

Life can get hectic and out of control. Sometimes putting the tools and appliances down and relaxing is the healthiest option. Some responsibilities can wait until tomorrow, including housework.

The freedom

Knowing that you can ignore all household chores for a day is a freeing feeling. Soak up that feeling and enjoy focussing your efforts and energy and the things that matter to you.

Housework is boring

Whilst there will be some who disagree with us, most people will be on our side. Housework is boring and a day where we don’t have to do any is a big win.

National No Housework Day dates

National No Housework Day related holidays

National Lazy Day

National Cooking Day

National Leave Work Early Day

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National No Housework Day 2021: Time To Ditch The Vacuum Cleaner And Relax

Everyday people across the world dust their shelves, do their laundry and wipe down their kitchens just for all of it to get dirty again. It’s not criminal to hate cleaning or doing other household chores as mostly they are never-ending thankless tasks.

Being disinterested in the sanitary needs of the house is not wise, but postponing the chores for a day can be fun. National No Housework Day, which falls on April 7 annually, encourages people to delay the cleaning and organizing for a day, so that they can put up their feet and relax.

So, this National No Housework Day, ignore the cluttered table, leave the unwashed dishes in the sink, banish the vacuum cleaner and the mop to the closet and maybe spend time cuddling with your pet, children, or partner. Hitting the pause button is good for mental health, after all.

History of the day

Household work was commonly perceived as a woman's job in the nineteenth century, while men earned a livelihood. Women had to work around the clock without the help of electronic appliances to live up to the high standards of cleanliness. With household work becoming so ingrained in our lives, Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs created this holiday to encourage people to “leave it all for tomorrow.”

How to observe the National No Housework Day

• There have been days when you have had to force yourself to do the laundry even though you would rather have watched your favorite show. Schedule the pending household works for April 8, and probably binge-watch a television series you have been saving for a long time.
• Spend the day giving your pet extra cuddles. You can deal with all the pet hair the next day.
• Pick a good book that has been sitting on the shelf and craving your attention. You can even play your favorite musical instrument.
• Spend time with your family, doing something you all enjoy like watching a movie. You can even let your kids play with all the Play-Doh or Legos without worrying about cleaning it up immediately.

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Homework – Top 3 Pros and Cons

Pro/Con Arguments | Discussion Questions | Take Action | Sources | More Debates

From dioramas to book reports, from algebraic word problems to research projects, whether students should be given homework, as well as the type and amount of homework, has been debated for over a century. [ 1 ]

While we are unsure who invented homework, we do know that the word “homework” dates back to ancient Rome. Pliny the Younger asked his followers to practice their speeches at home. Memorization exercises as homework continued through the Middle Ages and Enlightenment by monks and other scholars. [ 45 ]

In the 19th century, German students of the Volksschulen or “People’s Schools” were given assignments to complete outside of the school day. This concept of homework quickly spread across Europe and was brought to the United States by Horace Mann , who encountered the idea in Prussia. [ 45 ]

In the early 1900s, progressive education theorists, championed by the magazine Ladies’ Home Journal , decried homework’s negative impact on children’s physical and mental health, leading California to ban homework for students under 15 from 1901 until 1917. In the 1930s, homework was portrayed as child labor, which was newly illegal, but the prevailing argument was that kids needed time to do household chores. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

Public opinion swayed again in favor of homework in the 1950s due to concerns about keeping up with the Soviet Union’s technological advances during the Cold War . And, in 1986, the US government included homework as an educational quality boosting tool. [ 3 ] [ 45 ]

A 2014 study found kindergarteners to fifth graders averaged 2.9 hours of homework per week, sixth to eighth graders 3.2 hours per teacher, and ninth to twelfth graders 3.5 hours per teacher. A 2014-2019 study found that teens spent about an hour a day on homework. [ 4 ] [ 44 ]

Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the very idea of homework as students were schooling remotely and many were doing all school work from home. Washington Post journalist Valerie Strauss asked, “Does homework work when kids are learning all day at home?” While students were mostly back in school buildings in fall 2021, the question remains of how effective homework is as an educational tool. [ 47 ]

Is Homework Beneficial?

Pro 1 Homework improves student achievement. Studies have shown that homework improved student achievement in terms of improved grades, test results, and the likelihood to attend college. Research published in the High School Journal indicated that students who spent between 31 and 90 minutes each day on homework “scored about 40 points higher on the SAT-Mathematics subtest than their peers, who reported spending no time on homework each day, on average.” [ 6 ] Students in classes that were assigned homework outperformed 69% of students who didn’t have homework on both standardized tests and grades. A majority of studies on homework’s impact – 64% in one meta-study and 72% in another – showed that take-home assignments were effective at improving academic achievement. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Research by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) concluded that increased homework led to better GPAs and higher probability of college attendance for high school boys. In fact, boys who attended college did more than three hours of additional homework per week in high school. [ 10 ] Read More

Pro 2 Homework helps to reinforce classroom learning, while developing good study habits and life skills. Students typically retain only 50% of the information teachers provide in class, and they need to apply that information in order to truly learn it. Abby Freireich and Brian Platzer, co-founders of Teachers Who Tutor NYC, explained, “at-home assignments help students learn the material taught in class. Students require independent practice to internalize new concepts… [And] these assignments can provide valuable data for teachers about how well students understand the curriculum.” [ 11 ] [ 49 ] Elementary school students who were taught “strategies to organize and complete homework,” such as prioritizing homework activities, collecting study materials, note-taking, and following directions, showed increased grades and more positive comments on report cards. [ 17 ] Research by the City University of New York noted that “students who engage in self-regulatory processes while completing homework,” such as goal-setting, time management, and remaining focused, “are generally more motivated and are higher achievers than those who do not use these processes.” [ 18 ] Homework also helps students develop key skills that they’ll use throughout their lives: accountability, autonomy, discipline, time management, self-direction, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving. Freireich and Platzer noted that “homework helps students acquire the skills needed to plan, organize, and complete their work.” [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 49 ] Read More

Pro 3 Homework allows parents to be involved with children’s learning. Thanks to take-home assignments, parents are able to track what their children are learning at school as well as their academic strengths and weaknesses. [ 12 ] Data from a nationwide sample of elementary school students show that parental involvement in homework can improve class performance, especially among economically disadvantaged African-American and Hispanic students. [ 20 ] Research from Johns Hopkins University found that an interactive homework process known as TIPS (Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork) improves student achievement: “Students in the TIPS group earned significantly higher report card grades after 18 weeks (1 TIPS assignment per week) than did non-TIPS students.” [ 21 ] Homework can also help clue parents in to the existence of any learning disabilities their children may have, allowing them to get help and adjust learning strategies as needed. Duke University Professor Harris Cooper noted, “Two parents once told me they refused to believe their child had a learning disability until homework revealed it to them.” [ 12 ] Read More

Con 1 Too much homework can be harmful. A poll of California high school students found that 59% thought they had too much homework. 82% of respondents said that they were “often or always stressed by schoolwork.” High-achieving high school students said too much homework leads to sleep deprivation and other health problems such as headaches, exhaustion, weight loss, and stomach problems. [ 24 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] Alfie Kohn, an education and parenting expert, said, “Kids should have a chance to just be kids… it’s absurd to insist that children must be engaged in constructive activities right up until their heads hit the pillow.” [ 27 ] Emmy Kang, a mental health counselor, explained, “More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do on our bodies.” [ 48 ] Excessive homework can also lead to cheating: 90% of middle school students and 67% of high school students admit to copying someone else’s homework, and 43% of college students engaged in “unauthorized collaboration” on out-of-class assignments. Even parents take shortcuts on homework: 43% of those surveyed admitted to having completed a child’s assignment for them. [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] Read More

Con 2 Homework exacerbates the digital divide or homework gap. Kiara Taylor, financial expert, defined the digital divide as “the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology and those that don’t. Though the term now encompasses the technical and financial ability to utilize available technology—along with access (or a lack of access) to the Internet—the gap it refers to is constantly shifting with the development of technology.” For students, this is often called the homework gap. [ 50 ] [ 51 ] 30% (about 15 to 16 million) public school students either did not have an adequate internet connection or an appropriate device, or both, for distance learning. Completing homework for these students is more complicated (having to find a safe place with an internet connection, or borrowing a laptop, for example) or impossible. [ 51 ] A Hispanic Heritage Foundation study found that 96.5% of students across the country needed to use the internet for homework, and nearly half reported they were sometimes unable to complete their homework due to lack of access to the internet or a computer, which often resulted in lower grades. [ 37 ] [ 38 ] One study concluded that homework increases social inequality because it “potentially serves as a mechanism to further advantage those students who already experience some privilege in the school system while further disadvantaging those who may already be in a marginalized position.” [ 39 ] Read More

Con 3 Homework does not help younger students, and may not help high school students. We’ve known for a while that homework does not help elementary students. A 2006 study found that “homework had no association with achievement gains” when measured by standardized tests results or grades. [ 7 ] Fourth grade students who did no homework got roughly the same score on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math exam as those who did 30 minutes of homework a night. Students who did 45 minutes or more of homework a night actually did worse. [ 41 ] Temple University professor Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek said that homework is not the most effective tool for young learners to apply new information: “They’re learning way more important skills when they’re not doing their homework.” [ 42 ] In fact, homework may not be helpful at the high school level either. Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth, stated, “I interviewed high school teachers who completely stopped giving homework and there was no downside, it was all upside.” He explains, “just because the same kids who get more homework do a little better on tests, doesn’t mean the homework made that happen.” [ 52 ] Read More

Discussion Questions

1. Is homework beneficial? Consider the study data, your personal experience, and other types of information. Explain your answer(s).

2. If homework were banned, what other educational strategies would help students learn classroom material? Explain your answer(s).

3. How has homework been helpful to you personally? How has homework been unhelpful to you personally? Make carefully considered lists for both sides.

Take Action

1. Examine an argument in favor of quality homework assignments from Janine Bempechat.

2. Explore Oxford Learning’s infographic on the effects of homework on students.

3. Consider Joseph Lathan’s argument that homework promotes inequality .

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives .

More School Debate Topics

Should K-12 Students Dissect Animals in Science Classrooms? – Proponents say dissecting real animals is a better learning experience. Opponents say the practice is bad for the environment.

Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms? – Proponents say uniforms may increase student safety. Opponents say uniforms restrict expression.

Should Corporal Punishment Be Used in K-12 Schools? – Proponents say corporal punishment is an appropriate discipline. Opponents say it inflicts long-lasting physical and mental harm on students.

ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved

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No Homework Day

Get ready to put away those textbooks and take a break from assignments, because March 6 is No Homework Day! This day was first established in the early 1970s as a way for students to have a much-needed break from their academic responsibilities. It's a great opportunity to relax, recharge, and do something fun instead of studying or completing assignments. So make sure to mark your calendars and enjoy this well-deserved day off from homework!

History of No Homework Day

No homework day timeline.

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>No Homework Day Origins</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the early 1970s, No Homework Day was established to give students a necessary break from academic responsibilities.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Growing Popularity</div><div class='timeline-text'>Throughout the 1980s, No Homework Day became more popular among students and awareness grew in school communities.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Official Record</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first official record of No Homework Day celebration was documented.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Teachers Start Participating</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the early 2000s, teachers began recognizing No Homework Day and it started gaining traction as an institutionalized tradition in some schools.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 2013, No Homework Day was recognized globally, and schools around the world started participating in the celebration.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, No Homework Day was celebrated virtually, emphasizing leisure activities away from screens and books at home.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate No Homework Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan a fun outing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take advantage of the free time and plan a fun outing with friends or family. This could be a trip to the park, a picnic, or even a day at an amusement park.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a game night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends together and have a game night! This is a great way to relax and have some fun without worrying about homework.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a day trip</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you have the means, take a day trip to a nearby city or attraction. This is a great opportunity to explore and have new experiences without the stress of homework looming over you.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a movie marathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and have a movie marathon! This is a great way to relax and unwind without any homework distractions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Treat yourself to a spa day</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take this opportunity to pamper yourself with a spa day. Get a massage, facial, or your nails done to de-stress and enjoy the day without any homework responsibilities.</p></div></div>

Why We Love No Homework Day

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day off from school stress</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>No Homework Day provides a much-needed break from the daily grind of schoolwork. Students and teachers alike can enjoy a day without deadlines, assignments, and exams - giving everyone a chance to relax and recharge.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Freedom to have fun and be creative</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Without the pressure of homework, students are free to explore their interests and passions. It's a chance to engage in activities like painting, playing music, or reading for pleasure - all of which contribute to a well-rounded education.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Quality time with family and friends</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>With no homework to worry about, students are able to spend more time with their families and friends. This promotes healthy relationships outside of school and allows for important bonding time that may not always be possible on regular school days.</p></div></div>

5 Intriguing Facts About No Homework Day

No homework day faqs.

No Homework Day is celebrated on March 6th every year. In 2024 No Homework Day will occur on a Wednesday.

No Homework Day Dates

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• Calendar 2025

National No Housework Day

April 7 is National No Housework Day. As the name suggests, this is a day to drop the duster, the laundry detergent, and the dish soap, and just relax!

As tempting as it may be to sweep the floors, or make the bed, the point of today is to give yourself a break from housework and do something else you enjoy instead without worrying. The cleaning can wait for a day. 

National No Housework Day History

National No Housework Day was created in the 1980s by Thomas and Ruth Roy of wellcat.com, a website that sells health and relaxation products. 

With the average adult spending most of their day at work and having to do their housework when they get home, sometimes it can be hard to find the time to do things that they actually enjoy. National No Housework Day gives everyone the opportunity to finish reading that book they've been putting off, meet up with friends for some food, go for a long walk in the park, or just stay home doing nothing and relaxing. 

The laundry can stay in the basket one more day, the floors can do with a day of not being vacuumed, and it won't hurt the shelves to not be dusted today, and the kids' toys don't need to be put away . Having a day off from housework to do whatever else you want can make all the difference. So many people dread the thought of having to do their chores, so what better relief than knowing you have the day off from that?

There are ways to reduce the amount of housework on regular days, to have even more time to relax, such as having less clutter in the house or doing small, regular tasks around the house rather than taking a big chunk out of the day to clean. 

How to Celebrate National No Housework Day

You have a whole day free of housework, so it is up to you how you fill that time. Here are a few suggestions:

• Binge-watch your favorite TV show. Don't forget the blanket and a few snacks!
• Have a long and relaxing bath. A way to feel luxurious and spa-like in your own home.
• Order some takeaway. Cooking dinner can be considered a chore, so take the night off from that too. As a bonus point, you won't have any dishes to wash.
• Go for a walk or meet up with friends. Being away from the house is the best way to ensure you're not tempted to do some cleaning. 

Other Celebrations

• Mar 30 Sat National Doctors' Day
• Apr 10 Wed National Siblings Day
• May 24 Fri National Brother's Day
• Jul 30 Tue National Cheesecake Day
• Nov 15 Fri National Philanthropy Day
• May 01 Thu National Day of Prayer

National No Housework Day - Next years

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Wednesday, 07 April 2027

Friday, 07 April 2028

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National No Housework Day

About National No Housework Day

This national holiday, celebrated every year on April 7th, is the perfect excuse to ditch the broom and dustpan. Leave the laundry where it is and dust another day.

The average Americans spend six hours a week cleaning their homes, according to a 2018 survey by American Cleaning Institute. More than a quarter of the population spends over seven hours straightening up as well.

This holiday was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy, a married couple who have created a variety of weird and wonderful holidays. Thomas Roy began to make up these holidays during the 1980s.

The Roys say they created this holiday in particular because they felt cleaning and other chores became deeply rooted in our lives that a break was needed.

Spring Cleaning

The holiday ties in just in time of a famous time of year- spring cleaning.

While the exact origin of spring cleaning isn't known, the season has ties to multiple religious and cultural groups. Iranians have their own version of spring cleaning with the Persian holiday of "Nowruz," which marks the first day of the new year and is a 13-day celebration.

The Jewish holiday of Passover involves cleaning right before the celebrations.

For Catholics, church altars are cleaned on the Thursday before Easter.

All three holidays are celebrated in the springtime in the months of March or April.

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STARCAMP with Gala Retail

National confidence show 2023.

“Created to give children tools to help build their own confidence!”

This STARCAMP with Gala Retail Confidence Show 2023 was created especially for your children.

At STARCAMP HQ, we believe that every child has a right to be confident in themselves, some just don’t know how.They may sometimes see other children as better than them or more confident than them. We’re here to tell them that that is not the case!

“IF YOUR CHILDREN WATCH ONLY ONE THING THIS YEAR, LET IT BE THIS” Principal Sean Cummins.

This half hour show can be streamed to your smart TV or watched from any device for a limited time.

Feel free to print off the FREE RESOURCES that we created to accompany the show! 

Survey on Children’s Confidence and Well-Being

We would like to thank you for completing our recent survey on Children’s Confidence.

There were 2,000 responses in less than 8 hours, which gave us a substantial insight into parents thoughts and concerns.

We welcome you to review a synopsis of our results below.  

PREVIOUS CONFIDENCE DAYS 

Thursday, march 24th 2022 was national confidence day in ireland., to celebrate – we brought confidence to the nation , here it is – starcamp’s brand new production, entitled ” i believe in me”.

NATIONAL SURVEY 

STARCAMP with Gala Retail recently carried out a national survey because we wanted to find out if children’s confidence really was affected by Covid-19 and the restrictions that were placed on them.

Over 1,500 parents from all 26 counties across Ireland with primary school aged children took part. This survey sadly revealed that children’s confidence has been massively impacted, they feel that two years on from the beginning of the pandemic, children have lingering issues  in relation to their confidence and sociability  – here are some of those results:

Almost 50% of parents have noticed a decrease in their child’s confidence, 48% having become less social and 43% are experiencing new anxieties, fears and worries.

‘Confidence’ ranked above ‘academic excellence’ and ‘sporting skills’ as the top trait that respondents wish for their children, with 43% of respondents rating confidence as the most desirable trait, closely followed by ‘resilience’ (28%) and ‘being sociable’ (15%).

Almost 50% of respondents feel that their child has been less sociable since the introduction of restrictions and 43% are experiencing new anxieties, fears or worries.

A staggering two thirds of children (65%) have become more reliant on devices and technology since the pandemic began.

91% of parents surveyed said that they felt that group activities such as drama, sport and music are ‘very important’ for their child’s development.

Finally, 48% of parents feel that homework should be simplified or reduced and a further 25% would like to see it completely abolished so that children can have more time to develop their social skills.

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NATIONAL NO HOMEWORK DAY – APRIL 2021

Coverage from one of the starcamp productions that we produced last year .

NATIONAL NO HOMEWORK DAY – APRIL 12th 2021!

We were absolutely thrilled when An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin officially declared Monday 12th April 2021 as the first official “No Homework Day” for every child in Ireland thanks to a number of STARCAMP Kids!

In his most pressing interview to date, when questioned by 9 year old Dean Aherne from STARCAMP about the abolition of homework, Micheál Martin stated that for the first time ever, “On April 12th there will be no homework, and that’s for the whole country.”

For the thousands of you who tuned into our first ever virtual St Patrick’s Day Show, you will have witnessed the Taoiseach make this announcement in the fantastic and fun interview which was carried out by Starcamp kids! 

The Homework ban was greeted by cheers, which we are sure will reach every town in Ireland by Monday. And not only will the children be screaming for delight, we are sure that parents will be too! It is a much welcome bonus as children head back for the first day of the last term of this crazy year!

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Today's Reason to Celebrate

National No Housework Day

Are you always looking for an excuse to put off housework and cleaning for just one more day? Well look no further, today's holiday absolutely insists that you put down the sponge and cleaning supplies and just relax!

A 2008 study conducted at the University of Michigan found that the average married American woman does 17 hours of housework per week! After a long day at school or work, housework is the last thing anyone wants to come home to do.

Doctors and health experts say that it is essential for people with busy lifestyles to factor in time to relax. Relaxation can lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce headaches, and improve concentration.

Celebrate National No Housework Day by ignoring the dirty dishes in the sink and the piles of laundry that need to be done and just relax. You deserve it!

• April 07, 2025 is also World Health Day | Tell the Truth Day | Coffee Cake Day | National Beer Day

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Upcoming Reasons to Celebrate

No Homework   Day

Rejoice! Studies show that homework can be ineffective or even counterproductive to learning, so take the day off and enjoy other activities on No Homework Day.

Homework can be a pain, whether you’re still in school or not. No one likes doing homework every day. In fact it can be so stressful that can hamper learning rather than improve it.

No Homework Day is here to save you from those long hours. It gives you just the excuse to do what you please! Let’s learn more about the history of No Homework Day and how to celebrate it here at Days of the Year!

History of No Homework Day

Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat.com, No Homework Day was created to help students focus on activities other than homework. This a time for parents to consider giving their children a break for the day and for schools to not assign homework on this day.

According to some studies on the topic homework can lead to stress, can be counterproductive to learning. It can consume any free time for other activities, and make it hard to see its importance in learning. Professors at Duke University suggest that the 10-minute rule should apply to homework.

They also feel that the homework should vary according to the individual student. No Homework Day isn’t about removing homework completely from the picture, but to take a step back and relax. No Homework Day is all about giving children a break to do whatever they like.

No Homework Day encourages parents and students to take a break from homework for a day to do whatever they like. Whether that means sleeping, reading a good novel, creating art, playing a sport, or any other hobby/activity.

This is the perfect excuse to do what you want, whenever you want. Because while homework can be a useful tool for learning, doing homework for the sake of homework just doesn’t work. Homework can be stressful, so a break from homework is well-deserved. It allows people to explore their lives and do what they wish.

How to Celebrate No Homework Day

Make good use of this time today to explore other interests that you’ve been putting off due to school, or just go out and have a good time. Volunteer for a charity organization to help your local community.

Take an extra-curricular class such as cooking or art to improve your skills. Go out for a walk and maybe head on over to the fitness center to exercise. Take this time to clean up around your home and make your home look beautiful.

You can also just sleep, watch movies, and relax because you deserve it. Share this holiday with friends and family and help them take a break from homework for the day!

Also on Tue May 6th ...

World Asthma   Day

Raise awareness and help improve the lives of the many people around the world who suffer from asthma, a common but potentially life-threatening ailment.

National Teacher   Day

If children are the future, teachers are the ones making sure that future is a good one. Give thanks to and see how you can help these under-paid workers.

Poem on Your Pillow   Day

Print or write out a poem to leave on the pillow of a loved one or guest. Maybe a funny poem for a child, or a love poem to make your special someone smile.

National Beverage   Day

Try a liquid-only diet for a day to appreciate the versatility of beverages. Smoothies, juices, and other drinks can provide much of your needed nutrients.

We think you may also like...

National Tooth Fairy   Day

Have you heard of the little visitor who brings treats to kids while they sleep? She's sparkly, sneaky, and always on the hunt for lost teeth!

Look On The Bright Side   Day

Seeing the sun even on the cloudiest day, finding silver linings when life throws lemons - that's the spirit that keeps us going.

National Boys and Girls Club Day for   Kids

Engaging spaces where young minds explore, create, and connect through activities fostering growth, curiosity, and camaraderie.

International Kids Yoga   Day

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National Work From Home Day, the holiday none of us knew we needed

Here are the highlights on why people love remote work.

By Aspen Pflughoeft

The COVID-19 pandemic did what many corporate bureaucracies struggle to do: overhaul work culture overnight.

• June 24 marks National Work From Home Day, according to National Today .

It’s the holiday we didn’t know about two years ago but have now lived every day for over a year. So, the real question, is this a happy or unhappy holiday?

Do people like working from home?

Overwhelmingly, yes, according to a recent survey from Harvard Business School . The survey found that the majority of employees not only enjoy working from home but would like to continue doing so post-pandemic.

• 81% of respondents said they don’t want to return to the office full time.
• Of these, 27% said they would prefer full-time remote work, reports Harvard Business School Online .
• The other 61% said they would prefer a hybrid approach that allows them to work from home for two to three days a week, says USA Today .

Actually, a Stanford study found that employee productivity increased by 13% while working from home.

So, we’re asking the wrong question.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seth (@dudewithsign)

Better question, why do people like working from home?

Everyone may have a different favorite part about remote work, but here’s a few common highlights:

• The only traffic jams you have to worry about are the bathroom and the hallway. Working from home means no commuting which, on average, saves employees eight and a half hours a week, or 408 hours a year, reports Apollo Technical .
• Bathroom breaks whenever. Working from home allows employees to take the breaks they need and gives them the opportunity for more meaningful breaks, says The Muse . Maybe that’s a short musical jam session or time with a pet, both highly inconvenient in an office.
• You choose your office. Closet? Back patio? Library? Camper van with phone data? Remote employees get more flexibility to work where it works for them, reports The Muse .
• Life maintenance tasks have a new flexibility, says The Muse . Grocery shopping midday, receiving a package early-afternoon, or even doing laundry during the day all becomes easier while working from home.
• Pets and pets on zoom. That’s all.

But working from home has its challenges ...

Of course, working remotely has its drawbacks. Zoom fatigue can wear on employees, reports USA Today . Mental health can decline due to the lack of socialization or the lack of work satisfaction.

• Keeping a regular routine and maintaining boundaries between work space and living space can help workers cope with these common challenges, reports National Today .

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No Homework Day

May 6 , monday.

No Homework Day is celebrated on May 6. This unofficial holiday gives students a break from homework and schoolwork, providing a chance to relax and enjoy their free time. It aims to highlight the importance of balancing study and relaxation, and to raise awareness about the stress associated with schoolwork.

No Homework Day in other years

• 2021 May 6 , Thursday
• 2022 May 6 , Friday
• 2023 May 6 , Saturday
• 2025 May 6 , Tuesday

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No Homework Day

Table of Contents

No Homework Day Observed the last Friday of March and annually on May 6th.

When is no homework day , no homework day 2017 is observed on saturday, may may 6th, 2017 no homework day 2018 is observed on sunday, may 6, 2018 no homework day 2019 is observed on monday, may may 6th, 2019 no homework day 2020 is observed on wednesday, may may 6th, 2020.

Wondering where we find all of these Days, or if they’re even real? or if you have any information about No Homework Day , or maybe you want to create your own! If we’ve missed something useful, or if you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

You might like the Special Days in May

• Bike To School Day has always been observed annually on Wednesday of the first full week of May.
• Donate a Day’s Wages to Charity Day has always been observed annually on the second Wednesday of May.
• National Root Canal Appreciation Day has always been observed annually on the second Wednesday of May.
• National Receptionists’ Day has always been observed annually on the second Wednesday of May.

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National No Homework Day on April 12th

Sarah brooks.

• April 10, 2021
• CATEGORY - Education

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin has officially declared Monday 12th April as the first official “No Homework Day” for every child in Ireland. In his most pressing interview to date, when questioned by 9 year old Dean Aherne about the abolition of homework, Micheál Martin stated exclusively that for the first time ever, “On April 12th there’ll be no homework, and that’s for the whole country”, which was met by cheers from the Starcamp kids. Teachers, principals, parents – take note! 

This brings to the fore the debate about whether or not it’s time to say goodbye to homework as we know it. Covid-19 has brought about a lot of change in society and Starcamp owner, Aideen O Grady, who has been working with children and running camps and classes nationwide for 15 years as well as being a Mother of 4, strongly believes it’s time to progress from the unchanged, archaic style homework that goes unquestioned and put children’s mental health first by having more free time to encourage other equally important life skills and hobbies. 

Finland’s education system is being perceived as the best in the world. Coincidently, they also give less homework that any other country. They are leading the way because of common-sense practices and a holistic teaching environment that strives for equity over excellence. Students start school when they are seven years old and get little to no homework throughout their school years, with the education system preferring to include the academic work as part of the school day and allowing home time to be free and enjoyed. This time instead allows children to engage in their passions, to try new hobbies, socialize freely with other children, fall down, get up, scrape knees, play music, sport, communicate more with the outside world and so much more. They see the benefits of free reign in the developing childhood years to not be chained to compulsory education. It’s simply just a way to let a kid be a kid. 

From a psychological standpoint, it has endless pros. Although it may anecdotal, many students really feel like they’re stuck in a prison. Finland alleviates this forced ideal and instead opts to prepare its children for the real world. Finnish students are getting everything they need to get done in school without the added pressures that come with excelling at a subject and coming home to face more book time from as young as 4 or 5 in Ireland. Once they get home, they no longer need to worry about further study and tests, but instead are able to focus on the true task at hand – learning and growing as a human being.

There will be more diversity in these children once they become adults if they have more time to find out who they really are and what they truly love. They won’t be subjected to unnecessary pressure and stress from such a young age, something that should not be in their little lives and is a hard habit to drop once developed. 

This is an ideal time to redefine our system and abolish homework as we know it. There are other ways for us to achieve the same results and for parents to be more involved holistically in their children’s education and upbringing. It just should not take up the majority of our children’s free time. Children’s mental health needs to be at the fore right now, not tomorrow. We need to act. Many teachers have spoken about the newfound anxieties that are showing themselves in classrooms from a very young age. Sadly for our children this is only going one way.

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National Homework Day

Happy National Homework Day! It's time to dust off those textbooks, sharpen those pencils, and get ready to tackle some brain-teasing assignments. Whether you love it or loathe it, homework has become an integral part of the educational journey. So, let's dive into the history and significance of this oh-so-beloved day!

When is Homework Day?

It's national homework day on the 2nd April.

The Internet History of National Homework Day

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, students were burdened with endless hours of homework with no celebrations in sight. But fear not, the internet came to the rescue. National Homework Day first made its virtual appearance when weary students decided to band together and celebrate the completion of their mind-numbing tasks.

Since its inception, National Homework Day has gained recognition across various social media platforms. Students from all corners of the globe unite online, sharing tips and tricks, commiserating over challenging assignments, and occasionally unleashing their frustration through hilarious memes and funny homework-related tweets. It's a day where virtual study groups flourish and late-night cramming sessions receive a sense of camaraderie.

So, what exactly happens on National Homework Day? Well, it's a chance for students to take a break from their homework grind and appreciate the effort they put into their studies. It's a day to celebrate small victories, like finally understanding that complex math equation or constructing a beautifully written essay.

Did You Know?

Did you know that National Homework Day holds a special place in the hearts of pets? While students may view homework as a burden, pets often see it as an opportunity for quality snuggle time with their favorite humans. So, next time you sit down to tackle your assignments, don't be surprised if your furry friend decides to curl up beside you for some extra motivation!

History behind the term 'Homework'

The birth of 'homework'.

In 1095, a monk named Roberto de Lille in the Benedictine Abbey of Bec, France, introduced the term 'homework.' The word 'homework' originated from the combination of two Old English words: 'ham,' which means 'home,' and 'weorc,' meaning 'work.' This early conception of homework referred to religious duties that were assigned to monks before they could retire to their dwellings.

Origins in Medieval Europe

In the year 1095, the term 'homework' found its roots in medieval Europe. During this time, scholars and students were required to study and complete their assignments at home. As a result, tasks and assignments that needed to be done at home became known as 'homework.' This marked the beginning of a significant academic practice that continues to this day.

Expanding the Meaning of 'Homework'

During the 1600s, the definition of homework began to evolve. It no longer solely encompassed religious duties, but also tasks designated to be completed outside of regular school hours. As education became more structured, students were given assignments to reinforce their learning and provide additional practice. This expansion of the term laid the foundation for the modern understanding of homework as educational tasks performed at home.

Public Education and Formalization

By 1843, the concept of homework became more widespread and formalized with the growth of public education systems. As educational institutions started to expand, teachers began assigning specific tasks for students to complete outside of school hours. These assignments were designed to reinforce the lessons taught in the classroom and promote independent learning. The term 'homework' became widely recognized as an integral part of education, emphasizing the importance of continued learning beyond the confines of school buildings.

Homework in American Schools

In 1901, homework became an integral part of the American education system. The idea behind assigning homework was to strengthen knowledge retention, promote discipline, and enhance student learning. This practice became increasingly widespread as the Progressive Era prioritized education and sought ways to improve students' academic performance. Homework was seen as a way to extend learning beyond the classroom walls.

Recorded Use of the Term

In the early 20th century, the term 'homework' gained recognition and became a commonly used term. Its usage was recorded in the English language, solidifying its place in educational discourse. With the increasing importance of education and more standardized curricula, the term 'homework' became ingrained in the vocabulary of students, teachers, and parents as a regular part of academic life.

Evolution of Homework Practices

In the 1970s, the nature of homework began to evolve. Traditional assignments, such as writing essays or completing math problems, started to incorporate more creative and interactive elements. Projects and research-based tasks became common, encouraging students to delve deeper into topics and develop critical thinking skills. This shift aimed to make homework more engaging and relevant to real-world applications, fostering holistic development alongside academic knowledge.

The Homework Debate

The 1950s sparked a significant debate about the effectiveness and necessity of homework. Critics argued that excessive homework caused stress, hindered family time, and limited children's opportunities for play and recreation. As a result, schools and educational institutions began reevaluating their homework policies, with some advocating for reduced homework loads or alternative forms of learning outside of school hours.

21st Century

Digital age and homework.

In the 21st century, with the advent of digital technology and the internet, homework has taken on new dimensions. Online platforms and educational software now allow students to access assignments, submit work, and receive feedback electronically. This digital transformation has opened up new possibilities for personalized learning and remote education, especially during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Present Day

Digital revolution and online homework.

With the advent of the digital age, homework practices have undergone further transformation. The accessibility of the internet and technological advancements has facilitated the integration of online resources and platforms into homework assignments. Students now have access to a wealth of information, interactive learning tools, and online collaboration, bringing a new dimension to the term 'homework.' The digital revolution has not only expanded learning possibilities but has also made it easier for teachers to assign, monitor, and provide feedback on homework in a more efficient manner.

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The problem with homework - and no homework days

The Taoiseach opened a can of worms earlier this year when he told kids across Ireland they could have the day off from homework. He also helped restart an age-old debate - what is the point of homework?

• 14:31, 20 APR 2022

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To celebrate National Confidence Day back in March, An Taoiseach , while isolating in New York had a special video message to school kids in Ireland.

“There is so much more we can all achieve if we believe in ourselves more and I’m asking you to believe in yourself today and every day.

“I’ve been speaking to your teachers, and they’re happy to let you off your homework for one day,” Micheál Martin said.

Happy days, or day, you might think.

Except it wasn’t, because what actually transpired is that for thousands of students across Ireland they still had homework - despite what the Taoiseach said.

While Micheál Martin is the leader of the country, he doesn’t rule over every class and school in Ireland. Rather, the “no homework” day was an initiative cooked up by Starcamp, who had contacted the Taoiseach’s office as well as schools across Ireland to inform them about National Confidence Day, part of which involved getting homework off.

But it was still down to the individual schools to decide whether they wanted to grant what the Taoiseach had commanded, and while many schools did, many others didn’t. This led to a lot of confusion and a lot of unhappy kids, parents and teachers.

It also dragged up a perennial debate about homework, which boils down to this: What is the point of homework? Do we have too much of it? Should we be following Finland’s lead and doing a lot less of it?

What happened on ‘no homework’ day?

Aideen O' Grady, founder and managing director of Starcamp , an educational company which organises camps for students throughout the year, told Buzz that she created National Confidence Day as a response to all the hardships that kids faced throughout the pandemic .

O’Grady created an educational package which featured Will Sliney, Keith Barry and Rory’s Stories. That package was then sent to schools throughout the country for free and the event was publicised widely.

"Basically I wanted to create something we could give to kids and teachers on national No Confidence Day," O’Grady said. No homework was part and parcel of it.

O’Grady said she thinks about 85 per cent of schools ran with the no homework day “but obviously the more vocal ones didn’t.”

She acknowledged that it’s entirely up to schools to decide if they want to grant a no homework day or to take part in the activities that Starcamp compiled

The response from schools was "insane," O'Grady said.

"It’s been such an incredible response to it that I hope it will continue and that schools will do a little more with it.”

Starcamp, based in Cork, also ran a No Homework Day in 2021 in which the Taoiseach also granted homework off to kids around St. Patrick’s Day.

O’Grady said she spoke to the Taoiseach’s press secretary and his team liked the message around National Confidence Day and that’s why he got on board.

The office of the Taoiseach may have been on board, but others most definitely were not.

On Twitter, Simon Lewis , an education podcaster and principal of Carlow Educate Together primary school called it "nonsense" adding, "most children don't get daily homework if they get homework at all. Another example of how out of touch these companies and the politicians are.”

However, Lewis was quickly schooled on the first part of his tweet: Kids in Ireland by and large do get homework on a daily basis, even if many parents and teachers would happily see homework ditched or substantially reduced.

“I’d have a fairly strong reaction to this kind of thing,” Lewis told Buzz, adding that he was surprised how things have gone back to “normal” post Covid.

“In Covid times, things like homework seemed to be disappearing from our world which I was very happy about.”

“Our concept of homework is always seen as a negative thing. Why do we look at homework as a negative thing?”

"When giving [homework] off is a kind of a prize, it just seems to me a bizarre thing, when the purpose of homework is to help children learn what they may not have caught or to reinforce what they learned in school," Lewis said.

He was also critical of how the March "no homework day" transpired, questioning the role of "commercial entities and politicians and celebrities" in giving homework off.

Teachers Buzz spoke with, who didn't give homework off on National Confidence Day said it was partly because they didn't know anything about the event. Others pointed out that they have their homework schedule mapped out weeks in advance, and the impromptu break was an annoyance.

Buzz contacted the Department of Education for comment about the no homework day in March as well as for information about policies and guidelines around granting a national no homework day.

A spokesperson for the Department told Buzz that "organisers of the Starcamp had requested all schools participating to take part in a no homework day in exchange for a good deed," but that "this was not a wider policy, it was for those involved with the Starcamp’s National Confidence Day initiative only.

As to the wider debate around homework and its place in the curriculum, a spokesperson for the Irish National Teachers' Organisation told Buzz that there are no motions around homework scheduled for discussion at this week's national conference, which concluded today in Killarney.

The problem(s) with homework

Lewis is likely not alone with the list of problems he has identified with "traditional" homework: It's boring and often too lengthy

“What’s the point in sending kids home with a page of maths, a page of spellings, a page of this, a page of that? That’s not proper homework," Lewis said, adding that it's more like "punishment"

He thinks that where and when it's given, homework needs to be meaningful, not a chore, there needs to be choice and it needs to be interesting. Lewis is something of an anti-homework apostle; since 2011 he's been on a mission to get rid of all homework in primary schools.

At his own school he leaves it up to the teachers what to give and how much to give, "as they know best."

"But I try to encourage them that the homework is meaningful and is completely optional, so that if the child doesn’t do it that’s OK," he said.

That's a message that most parents could get behind, especially parents of primary school children as it often falls to parents, especially mums, to become the support teacher at home.

Finish-ing with homework

O'Grady from Starcamp, says that a survey carried out by Starcamp found that 50 per cent of respondents wanted "homework to be radically changed and decreased."

A quarter of the parents surveyed wanted homework abolished completely.

O'Grady, a parent of four school-age children, said she would be in favour of having it "deceased massively and changed."

By example, she cites the homework her 10-year-old son got the previous day to our interview which dragged on for the best part of two hours.

"He had no time (to play) with his friends at this crucial time in his life," she said, adding that she'd happily sit down with the Department of Education and discuss this.

Like many, O'Grady singled out Finland, an education pioneer which has been experimenting with reducing homework.

According to the OECD - a club of mostly rich countries - pupils in Finland have the least amount of outside work and homework than any other students in the world.

What's more, the less is OK model they are trialling hasn't impacted Finland's standings in the international academic rankings : in reading, mathematics and science, students in Finland still perform better than average for OECD countries.

Homefun - an alternative?

Ciara Byrne, a primary school teacher in Scoil Eimhín Naofa, Monasterevin, trialled an alternative to homework in her school in 2020 which she called 'homefun'.

Writing in the INTO magazine In Touch , Byrne writes that: "...international evidence would strongly suggest that homework does not improve academic performance – it actually might be counterproductive, and evidence has shown that homework can harm family life, can be a cause of worry for children and increase stress in their homes."

Byrne, instead, set out to devise an alternative to homework centred on physical activities and gratitude over a month long period. Traditional homework such as spellings, tables and prescribed reading was ditched in favour of a more flexible regime.

"Children were encouraged to read, undertake physical activity and perform a gratitude task daily. In addition to this, they were given a menu of optional tasks," Byrne writes.

"These tasks were to provide ideas for parents, to help realise the potential for home learning, which is removed from the traditional type of homework. The idea was that families wouldn’t need to go home after collecting their child at school and sit at the kitchen table.

"Homefun was designed to give families much more flexibility and freedom in the evenings.

"The evidence from my research echoed that of the international data. The vast majority (62 per cent) of parents surveyed said that homework led to tension in their homes. The vast majority (78 per cent) of the children surveyed reported getting upset when doing their homework. The majority of teachers surveyed (53 per cent) did not believe homework was an enjoyable activity for their class.

"Yet, 100 per cent of teachers surveyed believed Homefun was enjoyable for their class."

Bottom line

"Homework is a hugely emotive thing," Lewis, the Carlow Educate Together principal said.

"There’s a reason why it becomes a big news story we need to look at it in-depth: Why we give it and how we give it and what’s the purpose?

Dig deeper on Buzz: The West Cork school without teachers or a curriculum and largely run by students

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Experts say AI is the new social media — and parents are not prepared

According to a new study, there is a gap between what parents think their kids are doing when they do homework online and what they're actually doing.

Common Sense Media , a company that aims to build a more healthy, equitable and empowering future for all kids in the digital age, talked to more than 1,000 teenagers to find out how they are interacting with AI, or Artificial Intelligence, on a daily basis.

The company's research found that 7 out of 10 teens between ages 13 and 18 use at least one type of generative AI tool that take a question or prompt and provide an instant answer.

Most often, teenagers are using these tools to do their homework.

"Parents and teachers are pretty much out of the loop, so that young people are using AI platforms with virtually no guidance," says Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media. In fact, only 37% of parents whose kids use AI actually knew their children were using it.

Steyer said that parents have learned valuable lessons about technology from the introduction of the social media craze. At the time, it had few guardrails and kids had unfettered access to a variety of outlets.

This time around, parents have a chance to get ahead of the wave.

The upside of AI

A growing number of experts, like Jonathan Haidt who wrote “ The Anxious Generation , have expressed concern with the abundance of technological resources kids have access to.

But teens and technology aren't always a bad combination.

NBC's Kate Snow talked to Savannah Hill, a junior in high school who takes dance classes four days each week. Her busy schedule was "one of the reasons why I ended up resorting to ChatGPT," Hill says.

When she had trouble catching up on her work in physics class, Hill says she "would go to ChatGPT to understand the topic that was being taught."

Like many overwhelmed parents, Hill's mother, Muna Heaven, said she didn't know her daughter was using ChatGPT and felt "disappointed that the pace of the class got to the point where she had to find her own resources."

The discovery wasn't all bad, however. "I'm very proud that she found a way to teach herself independently." She added, "I think that aspect of AI is great."

Here's what parents need to know about AI

Nearly half of parents haven't talked to their teenage children about AI and the vast majority of parents say that schools haven't communicated with them about AI policies, says Common Sense Media.

So far, teens have been left to figure out their own rules about AI, which is why Steyer said, "It's essential for parents to take test drives with their kids, and learn with their kids how AI works."

For kids who utilize AI for schoolwork, Common Sense Media recommends teaching kids how to form the right prompt and fact check AI's responses.

It's also important to teach children not to rely on AI for all the answers.

Heaven noted how important it is for teenagers to "hold fast" to their "authentic voice," and that "the magic is in the creativity" that comes directly from the kids themselves

"And I think that maybe just raising their awareness of what's not good, having more conversations around the dinner table is what I see as one of the mechanisms to get our children through," she added.

Rosie Colosi lives in New Jersey and is a reporter for TODAY Parents. She has bylines in The Atlantic, The Week, MSNBC, and PureWow, and she has written 33 nonfiction children's books for Scholastic, Klutz, and Nat Geo Kids. Once upon a time, she played Mrs. Claus in "The Rockettes' Radio City Christmas Spectacular," but now she mostly sings songs from "Annie" to her two daughters … while they beg her to play Kidz Bop.