to think this is too much homework for a 4.5yo who started full time 6 weeks ago?

[sickoftheholidays]

4 weeks into the term we were told that from now on our DC's would be given a phonics book every day on their way out of the classroom, each day a different letter, and DC is expected to write half a page practising writing the letters. We were told this would take a few minutes, but have you ever seen a 4yo trying to write? in reality it takes about half an hour a day, and if I'm honest, after a full day at school, DD is physically and mentally knackered and doesnt want to know. To make it worse, if she doesnt do it, she doesnt get a stamp in her chart the next day, so we cant even opt out.
On Friday, we were given the phonics book, and it has a letter for every day of the holidays, and a couple of other pages too.
Am I being unreasonable to think that this is far too much homework for kids who have just started school, and frankly what the hell is the teacher doing in class all day that this work isnt being done at school?

I think Reception homework is a difficult issue. Some childre are extremely tired and just go home, have tea and a bath and straight to bed. DS is in reception and I know plenty of children who do this. However, my DS has (ever since birth!) needed a tiny amount of sleep. So I am happy to do homework with him in the quantity OP describes and still have plenty of time and energy left.

I do think it is extremely wrong to not give a child a stamp if they have been too tired etc. DS's school would not do this.

Lego

trditionally shouted in staff rooms when teaching students ask about fine motor control.

write in the book that you have been doing fine motor skills with the dcs.

pegging washing on the line, colouring, lego/duplo
painting on an easel painting letter on the wall with water....

we are in scotland so ds started school at 5years old in August.

I think he gets a lot of homework, over the course of the week he either gets writing or drawing plus he gets 2 reading books plus 16 words plus sums

All the homework is given out on a Monday and gathered in on a Friday so some nights when he feels energised we do loads and then other nights when he is tired we hardly do any

I think his teacher must have had a few comments on the amount of homework because she said to them this week. Your mums and dads can say there is too much homework if they want but you need to do it

Ceres my sister lives in Dublin. Her three boys came out at 12.30 from Reception class (it is called something different I think). At 1 in next class up and so on. Sometimes people stayed for sports after school which made day end later than 2pm. She regularily laments the fact that they come out soo early. There is considerably emphasis on good handwriting in the school her children attend, and on homework, but the day is structured to end much earlier.

Yay BlackeyedSusan - when I asked my child's year 1 teacher how to help him with handwriting, she suggested playdough not practicing.