Homework every day in Reception?

[blueberrymojito]

My just turned four year old has just started reception and is coming home from school every single day with homework to be sent back in the next day, which consists of a homework sheet to practice the letter of the day (the sound and then writing the letter several times) and another sheet which I think is mainly pen control type exercises.

This seems so unfair. Starting school is such a huge transition as it is and to be bringing this home every day since day one is exhausting for both of us (factoring in work and afterschool club too!). Surely at this age they just need to relax at home and get into the rhythm of school life? My DC is also very reluctant to do the work at home, exhausted from the day I guess, and I'm also reluctant to push it for fear it'll cause resentment towards learning...however the teacher says is "very important it's done each day". Is this normal?

We're in Scotland so don't start school till 5/almost 5 & my daughter (p3 now) has had homework most weeks since she started school 2 years ago.

We get a homework sheet on a Monday with something to do each night & then have it back on a Friday.

No it's not normal, it's not expected, and it's not good practice.

A full day at school is enough for most 4 year olds.
'Homework sheets' are a fairly pointless activity for any child.

As a teacher, I had the confidence to be able to say to the school when we wouldn't be doing things, and, overwhelmingly got full agreement and understanding from any teacher I needed to say that to at Primary school.

Overwhelmingly, it isn't the teacher - the person who understands child development and how 4 year olds work - it will have come from somewhere up in the 'Academy' from someone who knows nothing about teaching 4 year olds and developing a love of learning in them.

So sad to hear any school is doing this.

Ask to see the school homework policy. This is a crazy amount of work. There really shouldn't be homework in reception or in most of primary in my opinion so worth asking.

I wonder if the head knows it's happening.

As a teacher, I beg to disagree. A bit of extra practice at home will support her learning. It's a single letter sound a day! Anyone would think they'd been asked to do loads of home learning. This is just embedding what they have done in school. The letter formation practice at home will not put her off learning, but a parent's negative attitude could.

Yes that is madness. Our school thankfully seems to be good with this type of thing! They just had a few optional pieces to do at home. It makes you wonder why some schemes are saying to send work home and others aren’t. My daughter has learnt to read and write fantastically!

I'm very much in the primary school anti-homework camp. Personally, I just wouldn't inflict it on my four-year-old if I were you, OP.

Well, it's a worksheet a day.
Which is a completely inappropriate task for a 4 year old.

When mine were that age, I'd collect them from the childminder, we'd go home and start making tea, sorting any notes from school / things that needed to be got ready for the next day, chat, and they would have time to play before bath (lots more chatting, plus all the subtle maths, science, problem solving that comes through learning through play), then stories and bed.
Developing dexterity in little fingers and hands, learning about language aurally, developing social skills, independence skills, problem solving skills etc are all FAR more useful / valuable than sitting down with a worksheet.
Then, even when they get a bit older, time spent a Beavers, Brownies, Swimming lessons, or dance or martial arts or whatever your ting is, is FAR more valuable than sitting with a worksheet.

I too am a teacher.

I'm also a teacher. I've taught reception several times, and nursery and all primary ages. And even some secondary.

No way is a worksheet a day appropriate homework for a reception child.

I would rather parents were encouraged to chat, read and play games with their children.