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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Primary school homework. Screentime

38 replies

Sandsunsea · 11/09/2017 09:41

My primary aged child (9) keeps getting homework which involves using an maths app, I object to this. I don't agree with my child having compulsory screen time at this age, screens make my children cranky, and I don't think that it's good for them. I discovered this last year after being swept along by the trend of children being gifted tablets, and have since removed technology from their life, things are happier at home since going this. Now my child is coming home with compulsory screen time homework! I think that if the school wants them to use a tablet/app then this should be done at school. I think at primary age it is unnecessary. AIBU. Am I missing something?

OP posts:

EyesUnderARock · 11/09/2017 09:44

School can't set homework that requires access to technology that some might not have, so you can ask school for alternative homework, or that he has time to do the work in school. Do they run a homework lub?

BeyondThePage · 11/09/2017 09:49

Yes, in the kindest way I can put it - you are missing something.

Today's world is very different from yesterday - and tomorrow will be different yet. The use of apps/tablets/computers is now mainstream and will only become more so. The ability to use these things freely, to be completely au-fait with them in a way our and our parents generation will never quite be is going to be a REQUIRED skill from now onwards. These skills can only be built by frequent use.

Apps for maths are fantastic, the kids learn at their own pace, they are given problems on there that relate to their ability to do prior problems, ones that fill in the gaps - We used to do "worksheets" at school - you did a whole one then got told by the teacher that was wrong and to go away and try again, apps are so much more useful, so much more adaptable to every child.

A good foundation in maths is important - that can only be learned from a very early age, use every tool you can get your hands on - others will...

Original poster

Sandsunsea · 11/09/2017 09:55

Eyes, no honework club unfortunately

Beyond, but at such a young age? Kids being glued to screens at this age is not good for their health or development, I understand that in this case it is considered productive because they will be improving their maths skill. But surely there are other ways while they are in primary school.
Screen time leads to behavioural issues in my house. I feel sad that it is being prescribed at such a young age.

OP posts:

Pengggwn · 11/09/2017 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pizzaexpressreview · 11/09/2017 09:58

It's what 20 mins a week on athletics or similar?

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 11/09/2017 10:01

Kids being glued to screens at this age is not good for their health or development

Agreed but there's a vast difference between using an app for homework and being "glued" to screens.
I do struggle with the amount of screen time DS (9) has and how best to manage it and angst about it probably more than I should, so I know where you are coming from but I agree with previous posters who point out, quite rightly, that screens are a big part of modern life and it's a big part of modern parenting to work out how to manage them so your children aren't missing out. I am not sure that an outright ban is the best solution.
Teachers undoubtedly use a range of methods to teach maths in school but I can understand why they might choose apps to support this at home.

BeyondThePage · 11/09/2017 10:03

"Glued to a screen" is quite a negative way of thinking.

Using the tools available to improve maths on a one to one basis whilst also getting to grips with modern technology sounds a bit more positive - and since when was 9 too young to get great at maths - they have already been at school for 4 years?

Honestly what is the benefit of sitting doing a worksheet where the questions do not change depending on the ability of the child? You sit there and plough through - you may get them all wrong, they may all be too easy - the apps nowadays tailor the questions to the child, filling in the gaps in their knowledge. I would be making sure their screen time WAS used for stuff like this.

ElizabethShaw · 11/09/2017 10:03

I think its your choice - let the teacher know your child doesn't have access to computers/tablets at home and ask for a paper based alternative.

ElizabethShaw · 11/09/2017 10:05

I'm someone who doesn't care about screen time at all BTW, but I don't think schools can dictate how you parent your child in your own time.

Pengggwn · 11/09/2017 10:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Sandsunsea · 11/09/2017 10:08

It seems I am being a bit of a dinosaur about this then, thanks so much for your replies, and helping me see the benefits. I guess because I have struggled with behaviour/technology issues I think tablets are the devil! I will go and dust off the kids kindles and get them charged and let them be used for homework only!

OP posts:

DanHumphreyIsA · 11/09/2017 10:16

It is up to you, but really what difference is there between reading questions and writing out on a piece of paper, and reading on the screen and typing out our clicking on an answer?

I get the concern 'glued to the screen' but that phrase more describes endlessly browsing, out of boredom, to me. Homework isn't the same as that however, children will still be required to think about the question and answer.

Use of technology is inevitable really, and I think the attitudes surrounding it really need to change - its not always bad, it just depends on how it is used.

If your child doesn't have access to it at home, then they won't be spending hours on end on it anyway, whether they do the homework or not.

Londoncheapo · 11/09/2017 10:18

"The ability to use these things freely, to be completely au-fait with them in a way our and our parents generation will never quite be is going to be a REQUIRED skill from now onwards. These skills can only be built by frequent use. "

Bollocks. The "ability to use" an iPad can be picked up in a tiny space of time, because these things are designed to be incredibly intuitive and easy to handle.

The idea that "you need to spend hours on end playing with computers to learn how to use them" made sense back in the days of clunky old machines where you had to painstakingly type in strings of numbers and digits to make the computer Do Something (thinking back to my own school days!), but makes no sense whatsoever now.

And by the way, whatever tablet interface a kid is using now, will be obsolete long before they leave school. There is no particular point in getting expert with any particular interface.

Learning stuff like coding IS valuable, but you won't learn it from messing around with a tablet. You need structured teaching, and a device like a RaspberryPi or similar.

OP, try the Singapore Math or Saxon Math workbooks and just work through some problems in the assigned topic day by day if you don't want to create the need to police the use of a screen late at night. The school cannot insist that you use any particular technology.

DanHumphreyIsA · 11/09/2017 10:19

Oops sorry took a while posting

EyesUnderARock · 11/09/2017 10:21

I agree that technology is part of the now and future world, and those who aren't familiar and confident with its use are hindered in their learning. It's a tool. It's going to be a very different world when your children are adult. But legally, the school can't insist.

BeyondThePage · 11/09/2017 10:25

Wasn't talking about ability to use an ipad - just the being totally comfortable with the stuff around us.

DD can use anything, her cousin can't even work out how to get the TV on the sky box because she is not allowed to, she has a mobile for when she is out and about, but had to hand it to DD to set it silent in the cinema etc - she is 12 and "protected" from screens!!!

Cagliostro · 11/09/2017 10:25

I avoided computer based learning stuff for a long time with my DCs (they have been home ed for a couple of years) as I felt that way - didn't want them having more screen time. We are quite strict anyway and they only get 30mins each on their choice of kindle/Wii/animal jam or whatever (age 10 and 8, both are autistic/possibly ADHD too and get tunnel vision/addicted/angry really easily). So I totally get where you're coming from as I do think it's very easy to spend too much time on screens.

But I have more recently embraced it thanks to some cheap subscriptions to things like Prodigy maths, and I am amazed - it has helped them no end and they enjoy it so much they often use their free choice time to play it as well. They don't spend a long time on it, and I firmly believe it should not replace maths etc on paper and hands on learning, but it can really be great and from now on I won't be so nervous about using tech.

Ceto · 11/09/2017 10:31

You've removed all technology from your children's lives? You don't use phones, TVs, radios, cars?

Seriously, if you can't sort out any behavioural issues resulting from use of screens you need to have a think about your parenting.

Original poster

Sandsunsea · 11/09/2017 10:33

Ceto. You're being pedantic. Obviously I meant screens. I have sorted out parenting issues resulting from screentime. I removed the screens.

OP posts:

WindyWednesday · 11/09/2017 10:33

I'm kind of on the fence.

Yes, I know technology is the way we are going. But...

What about parents who can't get decent internet to do the homework

Or parents who really can't afford a tablet.

When our rural primary school launched this homework there was no warning, it was in the book to log onto the app and it gave the passwords.

No information on what the app was or how it worked or what tech parents needed to help children.

We get limited quality internet speeds. Fine ish in the day, but total pants in the evening and weekends. Some parts around here don't get it at all.

Original poster

Sandsunsea · 11/09/2017 10:34

Behavioural* not parenting.

OP posts:

Ceto · 11/09/2017 12:33

But you haven't sorted out those issues by removing the screens, have you, if they are unable to use them without misbehaving?

danTDM · 11/09/2017 12:43

I see nothing wrong with DD (9) using her ipad for all sorts of things.

I too, think it's important she is 'au fait' with such things (I'm certainly not)

It can be hugely educational and she is rarely off it! I really don't care. She never watches T.V. for example, I would rather she was researching things and keeping her English up to date (she is Spanish) and doing fun aps which are teaching her something.

I do make sure she reads at night, but that's about it.

The ipad was compulsory for her school. (In Spain)

chocorabbit · 11/09/2017 12:45

I understand what you are talking about OP, but my children have benefited a lot from mathletics and DEFINITELY mathswhizz!

Having said that, our school has homework club exactly for the reason that not everyone has internet at home. Otherwise children can use the library which sounds like a nightmare scenario for me as I help them quite a lot when they get a question wrong and I can't imagine disturbing everyone in the library when a single question sometimes has taken 5 minutes due to mental block!

MyDcAreMarvel · 11/09/2017 12:49

I agree op , my dd school introduced books on an app for my reception child. This was instead of a traditional reading book!
I complained, and to the schools credit she came home with actual books from the following week.

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