6 and 7 year olds being kep in at lunch time for forgetting homework

[DaanSaaf]

Year 2 ds just told me they have to stay in at lunch time and do extra work if they haven't brought their homework in.

Aibu to think that's a bit harsh at their age?

Linzey, the difference is that studies show there is no benefit in having homework at primary school level.
There is a modest benefit however for secondary school students.
My ds prefers to do his homework at lunchtime. Some kids don’t. There were times when he actually didn’t do it at school and spent a couple of hours (sometimes more) doing it at home. He is in an International Baccalaureate (a program that he chose), so he has quite a bit of extra work.
My point is, older kids get benefit from and develop the skills to manage their homework. They can choose to use their school breaks to do it (or not).
Young kids don’t. Plus, being held in class while the others go out is clearly a punishment and a humiliation. This is not the case for secondary school students.

@Oliver

Yes they have a choice, do the homework, they have 3 days. I only ask for an attempt.

It is all about setting standards for latter years.
I rarely keep children in as they do it because they know the outcome if not.

@Audree

As I have said though it is not often. The threat is enough of a deterrent.

So instead, you teach your child to disrespect the rules of their school. Well, good luck. I'm sure that will work out for you

I teach my child to question stuff. They don’t get homework, as I said.

I'm a teacher both in primary and secondary (MFL). I hate setting homework to younger children so I usually don't. As a parent I also hate my dc being given homework. You can't blame a y2 for not doing homework. In my humble opinion, it should only be seriously set at GCSE and A level. Before then, essential spelling, some reading and learning necessary vocabulary should suffice!

I can see it in 5 years, a thread saying Aibu to blame the teacher for why my child is behind? Think of this thread

Which would have no relevance as homework for 6 year olds makes no difference.

None.

So any teacher who insists on homework for 6 year olds is just a bit dense really.

Plus my school is sensible. We have no compulsory homework for my primary aged DCs.

If it was compulsory and if the teacher kept my child in then I wouldn’t want them at that school. I would take it up with the school and very strongly too. Especially at aged 6.

@Linzeyhun is demonstrating that they’re unable to comprehend that 6 year olds are not like 12 year olds. Lord knows how you approach classroom learning.

^If your ok with time being set aside for children at secondary school at lunch for hometime, then what is the difference from a teaching making them stay in and do it at Primary school, within reason?*

I was thinking in terms of the school I attended (many years ago) where the lunch break was 80 minutes long, so plenty of time to eat, socialise and do a bit af homework should you so wish. I am frankly horrified that you think it is OK to keep infants in doing homework and feel you are being magnanimous giving them 10 minutes to bolt down their lunch and go to the toilet.

No

It amuses me that parents cite discipline as one of the reasons for choosing particular schools, and yet scream like a bat when their child is disciplined. My parents attitude when I was at school was that the school's view of behaviour and discipline prevailed.

It's not as if your dear offspring were beaten, is it ?

Secondary school pupil doing homework at lunch is a choice.

Your primary school children doing homework at lunch is punishment.

Unless you let the whole class stay in at lunchtime to complete the homework you have set then there is no comparison

@Cecilyp

I let them eat at their desk if I can keep them in. I then give them 10 minutes to go to the loo, as I don't let them go during lesson time. I never said anything about being magnanimous

@oliver

Like I have said, I don't keep many in because they do their work or they know they will lose their break.

No you never used the word; I did! But you are implying you think you are considerate by letting them eat while they work or rushing them off to their school diner with instructions to hurry up about it.

@Cecilyp

Only because some children dawdle as they wouldn't want to come back, which is why I let them out towards the end of lunch after their work, because they have to be back for the afternoon lessons.

Giving them homework at that age is ridiculous and counterproductive. Every bit of educational research carried out shows that homework has no benefits for children in primary schools, and can have a negative impact as it reduces playing and 'down' time. So punishing them for forgetting it is adding insult to injury.

The funny thing is I am far from a permissive parent, I just don’t think we have to conform like automatons just because someone tells us to. I think homework for primaryvkids is fundamentally wrong madness unhelpful and I won’t inflict it on my kids. My children know there is a big difference between a parent making a decision for their child about what happens in the home, when they are in charge, and ensuring they do as teachers say at school. We very respectfully made a parental decision and the school respected it. Just as it should.

I find Lindsey’s attitude frightening and I wonder what someone like that is doing in primary education. You clearly have no idea about what is best for children and overall education and I’m very glad my kids aren’t in your school.

*Wrong and unhelpful, random madness

@Curious

It really isn't up to parents to decide things like homework though?

I really don't think it is the right message to send out and undermines the teacher.

What next if the teacher to do something/not do something and you disagree then children can do as they like?

You don't run the teachers class.

Linzeyhun, you seem to think you have the right to dictate what a parent should make their child do at home. In there own private lives, you have seemingly failed to realise that young children need time to run around and play not as a reward for working but in order to be healthy young people. I truly hope you're not actually a teacher, or if you are not one of 6 year olds.

@Notenought

Of I course I realise the importance of running around for young children. The homework are short tasks and the children are given plenty of time.

I have high expectations but have never had any concerns from parents, even when I've held kids In at break.

Linzey, I disagree. I’m not undermining you, I’m exercising my right as a parent to dictate how time outside school is spent by my children. I spent the first year of my eldest’s education grappling with the belief that tearing my reluctant child away from perfectly happy self-motivated play to undertake frankly dull and unnecessary paper heavy tasks was the ‘right’ thing to do. I decided after a year it wasn’t. And it isn’t. My children are flourishing both inside and outside school. Who are you to tell me what I should do on my own time? Run your classroom as you wish but don’t you dare try to run my parenting.

Your attitude is appalling and so unchild-centric that I genuinely wonder what sort of a school you work in. You may not have had complaints yet but I hope to god they come soon for the sake of those kids who are entrusted into your care.

Very well said Curious.

Linzey - as you're claiming to be a teacher do get someone to check your punctuation. 21:09:35 especially needs attention, hun.

I’m a teacher and think most HW is a colossal waste of time. Once they get to GCSEs it becomes necessary.

I imagine most primary school teachers don't want to set homework. Regardless of any evidence about whether it works, it sounds like a pain in the arse to achieve without the support of parents (especially those who want to enforce some sort of 'their time' and 'our time' thing). But in most schools, it really is not down to the teacher. It is school policy. The teacher will actually be in trouble for not setting it, and the school is legally able to discipline the child for not doing it.