In the Indian context, homework is generally perceived as a burden. More often than not, children set about completing their homework with alacrity out of fear of punishment or pressure from parents or teachers. Although the idea is to help the children apply what they have learnt in the classroom it just ends up being an unavoidable evil for the students.

Children have impressionable minds given to flights of fancy. They like to imagine things and learn best when most of their senses are involved. Creative Homework is a relatively new concept that allows children to enjoy the work they take back from the school, at the same time ensuring maximisation of learning. The key is to make the practical application of theoretical concepts exciting, which also makes it interesting and easier to grasp. For instance, statistics can be taught by asking students to interview 20 people in the neighbourhood, find out their age and then make a table for the different range of age groups. They can also find out the mean age in the locality by the use of statistics. In this way children will be able to absorb the concepts better instead of having to cram information without proper understanding.

Research has proved that learning by example is also long lasting. Such creative methods not only optimise learning but also leave an indelible impression on the young mind of a child. Homework thus becomes a welcome proposition rather than a boring and mechanical activity performed out of coercion or force. This also has a deep psychological impact on the child. He is happier, more energetic and not afraid to go to school. Not only that, it also has a positive impact on his health since he does not feel burdened by the homework and relishes the learning process. Creative Homework thus establishes a connection between theory and practical, classroom and the outside world.

Education is successful only when it empowers the child and prepares him/her to face the world. Asking the students to make sentences using 10 given words is Homework but asking them to make sentences with those 10 words in the context of movies, IPL or their favourite cartoon is Creative Homework. This little bit of effort on the part of schools and teachers makes a world of difference for our children. School no longer is a prison but a fertile ground for new ideas and healthy interactions.

Making children do their homework and utilise their time during vacations especially becomes a daunting task. Here too Creative Homework plays a significant role in achieving the academic objective as well as helping them realise the larger perspective in life. To start with, teachers should set an example by themselves making a timetable for the vacations. Children need role models and they will enthusiastically follow suit in making their very own timetable for the holidays. This will not only instill discipline but also teach them the virtues of planning. Teachers should ask students to measure the area of their bedroom to teach Maths or conduct an echo hunt in their home. Another interesting way to teach Biology would be to ask them to sow a bean seed and make sketches for its various stages of growth as they see it happening before their eyes. Finding out 3 things in their homes which are not environment friendly will not only increase their awareness of the environment or the world around them but also make them socially responsible citizens.

Creative Homework thus brings out the best in each child and helps them realise their full potential. If we try to build up the interest of children in the subjects they study by a series of related activities, they will excel in the subject. This is the main aim of Creative Homework: building a brighter future for our children.