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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

575 replies

DaanSaaf · 08/05/2018 20:55

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?

OP posts:
TroubledLichen · 10/05/2018 18:21

Agree that there’s way more too it than just homework though and the gap opens up early. I’ll just never be on board with punishing 6 years over homework as it’s so rarely their fault.

Believeitornot · 10/05/2018 18:24

You said straight off @CalF123 that you would punish.

Even as a last resort it’s ridiculous. Sorry but it is.

CalF123 · 10/05/2018 18:25

I agree that home circumstances(and uncooperative parents) can make it difficult for DC even if the school has the best of intentions. That's why I'd put a lot more resources into supporting struggling families but also sanctions for parents who refuse to engage with the education system as a last resort.

CalF123 · 10/05/2018 18:27

@Believeitornot

The main reason for having punishments in any context is as a deterrent effect. As I say, while I have had to punish my DC for not revising hard enough for tests in secondary school, neither have ever not completed homework so I haven't had to punish them for it.

SunshineandRain18 · 10/05/2018 18:31

We read and do online homework that's fun because they have a system they use. But we aren't strict with it. I regularly forget to sign reading records but I know we have done it so that's what counts.
Besides they have shelves and draws of books and I persuade them its pleasure not duty. So they are great at reading and enjoy it.

Our lives are so busy, what with full time jobs (12 hour shifts) after school activities for 4 children. I prioritise family time over homework which will be more of a priority when they go to high school. The teachers can think what they like. I think the curriculum for children these days is beyond ridiculous and nearly all the teachers agree. My children are more arts and sports and I encourage that as well so I find a balance and the teachers support this. Never had a bad report. They aren't in the top of the class but they aren't far off so I'll carry on doing whats best for them!

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 18:39

Isn't it also recommended that kids get an hour of exercise a day too?

So how does that fit in vetween the hours of 4 and 7 when there's reading spelling homework dinner and bath to get through.?

I guess when they are to overweight and unfit to run about outside they will have more time to sit and do more workHmm

Cakedoesntjudge · 10/05/2018 18:44

Homework at primary school pisses me off. Luckily DS' school scrapped it after year 1.

He's year 3 now and has to read 5 times a week, practise his spellings and do times tables.

The reading thing annoys me. I work full time and I'm in my last year of a law degree with the OU which eats up pretty much all of my evenings. DS is perfectly capable of reading fairly complex books independently and does so every night when he goes to bed. Yet independent reading doesn't count as one of his 5 times and the teachers thing it's unreasonable not to do it because it's 'only' 10-15 minutes. But when I only get an hour with him each work night before bedtime I don't really want to spend a quarter of it every evening reading his school books which are way below his reading level.

If I don't do it, he misses his playtime on a Monday. I have been known to make it up.

GirlInterruptedOftenByKids · 10/05/2018 18:46

I think some people need to stop making assumptions! I see plenty of faults with dd. ...in fact she is on a daily behaviour charts to home due to general appalling attitude. But her academic work is of a high standard as is her school behaviour. So makes no sense at all to punish her for writing out the wrong number of spellings

Barbie222 · 10/05/2018 18:52

Homework set is dictated by school policy, which is usually written with the most vocal group of parents in mind.

Believeitornot · 10/05/2018 19:07

@CalF123

Why not encourage instead of punish?

And why punish a 6 year old? Did you punish your 6 year olds for not doing homework..... really?

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:15

@Audree

No children but how is that relevant?

@Believeitornot
The girl I kept in at lunchtime had not completed her classwork. Why should she be allowed her break?

Break and lunchtime is not just so the kids can let off steam and play.

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:18

Theb what else is it for Hmm

Couldn't possibly he because focusing or having a lesson for longer than a certain time is counter productive could it?

Why do many places do things like the morning mile and wake up shake up of the physical activity and the fresh air didn't help the children focus and feel less antsy in lessons

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:23

@Giles

Speak to teacher
Have a drink, eat, go to the toilet and yes refresh.

However if they haven't completed work, do they need to have a run round if they haven't been concentrating on work?

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:24

Well unless they are running laps round the classroom maybe burning off some energy could help?

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:27

Or shock horror they may jusy bit he abke to do it.

Or little Tommy has been kickimg Jessica under the table and not letting her get on with it. Or maybe you don't let them out for the loo either so she was struggling to concentrate as she needed a wee.

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:27

Just not
Stupid auto correct

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:27

@Giles

Or losing privileges will mean they learn to do their work.

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:31

Did you actually bother to find out Y?

Maybe she left it at her dad's that night?

Or tell asleep on the way home from picking her brother up from cubs?

Or maybe next doors teen son was baby sitting as her parents were at work.

It maybe you failed to realise it was far too hard ?

6 years old the time space and means to do homework are out if the kids control

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:31

@Giles

I've already said if they are struggling that is different
Little Tomny would be moved and kept in in that case.

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:32

Yeah cos they are sooo confident at that age to speak up.

And you are just sooooo approachable and understanding Hmm

Audree · 10/05/2018 19:35

Lizeyhun, that’s what I thought.
I was a teacher before kids and after and it makes a world of a difference. Where a teacher might think: what’s the big deal in asking a 7 yo to do 30 min of homework a day, a parent might run ragged trying to keep jobs/dinner/activities in check. Try throwing a baby, a second job or a single parent in the mix and homework becomes almost impossible. Then you have to bribe or punish the kid into submission before he/ she even gets to the desk. And what for? For an activity that most of us adults wouldn’t even dream doing (I refuse to bring work home; why should they?), with no proven benefits for young children (the research is very clear on this).
I find it interesting to read this thread as I can empathise with most parents’ point of view; there is simply not enough time in a day to waste on homework.
Just to be clear, I refer to young children.

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:35

@Giles

That is not what happened, teachers can tell the diffrence between just being lazy and struggling with work.

She didn't want to do it so lost her lunchbreak.

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/05/2018 19:40

I'd be interested to see how her behaviour was the rest of the day....

Very harsh for something not even proven to help

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:42

@Giles

No, I don't let them out to the toilet, but if I keep them at playtime or lunchtime, they are given time to eat,drink and wee either before or after completing the work they should have done.

Linzeyhun · 10/05/2018 19:44

@giles

After discussing she must knuckle down she was fine for the rest of the day and has been since.