On 20/5, a video posted on Dazhong Daily's Weibo page captured a primary school student in Anyang city, Henan province, diligently doing his homework while steadily pedaling an old sewing machine. His head swayed slightly with the rhythmic motion, as his hand, holding a pen, glided across the page.
The boy's mother explained that she devised this method to help her son improve his focus. She noted that he frequently fidgeted, played with his eraser, and left his seat while studying.
To facilitate this, the mother had previously oiled the sewing machine to eliminate noise, replaced the tabletop, and attached a stand. This setup prevented her son from bending his head too low while studying. She believes that these adjustments have enabled him to concentrate for over one hour, leading to a noticeable improvement in his study effectiveness.
The video quickly ignited a debate on Chinese social media regarding parenting approaches. Many comments praised the mother's method as unique, creative, and scientifically sound.
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The boy steadily pedals the sewing machine in rhythm, while his hand continuously writes. *Photo: Weibo* |
Proponents cited traditional Chinese medicine beliefs, suggesting that foot-tapping movements can help draw heat downwards and stimulate qi and blood circulation, thereby promoting mental clarity and focus during intense study or work. Another individual commented that rhythmic movement and slight vibrations might stimulate the brain and help calm children who struggle to sit still.
Some users shared that the story evoked memories of their own childhoods, when their families could not afford proper study desks and they had to complete homework on their grandmothers' sewing machines.
However, not everyone viewed this as an innovative approach to academic discipline. Critics argued that many parents need to consider balancing their children's studies with their daily lives. They noted that excessive homework often consumes children's free time, contributing to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and declining eyesight.
According to SCMP, homework has long been a significant source of stress in Chinese families. After school, many parents frequently fill their children's free time with online classes and private tutors.
