London, Nov 23: According to a survey, British kids are being forced to work harder than ever with little to show for the extra effort.

The research, conducted by the Cambridge University, claimed that kids spent less time enjoying outdoor play and unsupervised sport while their lives became increasingly ‘scholarised’.

The study found that most of the parents were turning homes into classrooms as 5- to 11-year-olds were pressured to do homework every week.

Also it was seen that some parents who worked long hours were placing children in breakfast clubs and after-school centres to keep them under constant supervision by teachers.

Researchers of the study said that at school, playtimes were ‘pushed aside’ to give more time for the ‘basics of the national curriculum’.

The scientists said that ‘everyday parent-child activities’ such as talking or making a shopping list might be just as effective as formal homework for helping youngsters develop.

Prof Berry Mayall, from London's Institute of Education, said that the time children spend doing school-related work has increased and their leisure time has decreased.

"Time children spend doing school-related work has increased and their leisure time has decreased,” Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

According to official guidance, children aged five to seven should do one hour of homework a week and those aged eight and nine years should do 90 minutes a week and 10- and 11-year-olds should complete 30 minutes every day. (ANI)