Year 2 homework woes

[Isitwise]

Hoping for some advice please.

DS is in Year 2, was exceeding in all areas in Y1. Great comments about his behaviour and attitude throughout school.

We've hit a horrible patch with homework, he whinges in the build up to doing it, rushes it, does the absolute bare minimum required. His hand writing is getting worse due to the rushing. Me asking him to slow down and take his time is met with lots of huffing and puffing and general attitude.

His teacher had no concerns at parents evening last week. I think school in general takes a lot out of him, he is usually shattered/bit grumpy in general straight out of school.

How do I get past this attitude to his homework? I'm not a pushy parent at all, but he can do so much better than he does and I'm worried this will start to carry into school. It's an acceptable amount of homework imo, usually a literacy task and a numeracy one with some spellings. He's more than capable.

I'm starting to dread homework coming home and need some tips to get past the brick wall we've hit.

[user789653241]

Do you think he can get a lot out of doing homework?
I have an attitude of if ds doesn't want to do it, don't do it, since start of school. I don't even check his homework at all.
Since yr3, his homework became compulsory, so if he doesn't do it, he will get into trouble. But I still don't check if he has done it or not physically. I will remind him by asking, that's it.
I don't think doing homework with a lot of effort or not makes such a big difference tbh.

[dibbleanddobble]

I just wouldn't do it!! I think the impact of homework on children of this age is minimal to say the least.
Ask him if he has any, provide him with time, space and support to do it but don't force him.
If none gets done send a note in to school explaining what you put in place and that ds was reluctant to do his work.
They'll either get him to do it in school or just leave it.
Children his age should be playing and chilling out... Not doing yet more work!!

[Babypythagorus]

I don't force my primary kids to do hw (and I'm the HT of their school!)

All the evidence I've seen suggests it has no impact at primary. If kids are reading with parents and talking about stuff together, I'm happy.

[RedSkyAtNight]

Are there consequences for not doing it at school? Is it really important that the homework gets done? I don't think Y2 homework is worth getting stressed over - I'd leave it to him to get on with it, he either does it or he doesn't, up to him.

[2014newme]

Have you tried doing it in the morning we so all that stuff then, before school when they are not tired

[sirfredfredgeorge]

If he's still shattered from a day at school, I'd be looking more at his fitness levels, or if there's something particularly stressful about the environment.

I certainly wouldn't be bothered with homework!

[Isitwise]

Thank you all, apparently they get kept in at break time if they've not done it.

There's no issues with his health or fitness, I just get the brunt of his grumpiness!

I know he wouldn't dream of showing this attitude at school too. He's very conscientious.

I suppose it's down to how I approach it, I think if I knew he struggled with the work or the amount I'd be happier accepting his reluctance. But I know he can do it, and do it well. we have tried doing it in bite size chunks, mornings, afternoons.

I have written a little comment in the parent section tonight briefly explaining my worries. I'll see what tomorrow brings.
Thank you all again

[jennielou75]

We stopped homework above reading and spellings because we felt we work them hard enough at school. Some parents thanked us and said they didn’t miss the battle every Sunday afternoon. Some children are now choosing to do writing and maths and we give them stickers when they bring it in. One parent complained that we don’t value work at home by setting homework and marking it.
I don’t miss it and me and my ta have lots more time to spend with my year 2 class instead of marking and putting in new homework!

[Anotheroneishere]

What is the homework? Is it an appropriate length and level?

FWIW, our year 2's don't have required homework outside of reading and spelling.

If this is appropriate homework, first I'd arrange with the child a time. He can make suggestions, and once you decide, it's a set time without negotiation. If he whines, it will take longer. If he uses messy handwriting, he needs to rewrite it again. His cooperation will make it go faster. If you're consistent with this, the inevitability will sink in and he'll get on with his work better.

[Perfectly1mperfect]

Providing the homework is the correct level and doesn't take longer than half hour to an hour then I think you just need to tell him that he needs to do it. Although I agree that it won't have much of an impact at this age, I do think it's more about if school set it and you ask him to do it, then he has to do as he is asked.

One of my children was more reluctant to do homework at this age but he knew it was like anything else, if I asked him then he had to do it. I don't make my kids do much else though, the deal in our house is they try their best at school and do their homework. The rest of the time is their own to choose how they spend it so I have never thought it unreasonable that they do their homework.