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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Homework every night in reception

43 replies

daisiesflower · 19/09/2020 15:14

My youngest has just started reception and as of the start of this week they've started being given homework. I was surprised to hear they'll be handed a sheet every day. She's not expected to hand it back in but is expected to do it every night (if she can) but it does seem like a lot to expect from a 4 year old. She's tired after school and is still getting used to doing full days so I wasn't planning on doing it with her every night, maybe just when she's up to it or at weekends but she was excited about having her first piece of homework and has asked to do it every night. The issue is she's exhausted and it ended in tears on both Monday and Tuesday night so I said we wouldn't do it again till this weekend. I don't think homework in reception is really necessary especially so early on in the year. It's not a long worksheet, it's mostly spelling, reading, letter tracing so I'm not sure it's just my DD who found it difficult, she's only turned 4 last month so she's one of the youngest in her class. My older children never got much homework throughout primary, it was a different school but this seems like a lot in comparison. I think I'm just going to end up with a pile of worksheets that don't get completed

OP posts:

Flaunch · 19/09/2020 15:15

I never made my children do homework at primary. Tbh I think it’s horrendous schools give it out at all, especially at 4!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 19/09/2020 15:15

I would just put them all in a wallet and if and when the mood takes you both, work through one.

Changedmynameagain1 · 19/09/2020 15:16

Ds had reading books each week and a sheet with tricky words on to learn but that’s it.

And it didn’t start till after October half term!

Even now in year 1 he’s got one reading book so far and has to draw a picture for his homework YANBU

RepeatSwan · 19/09/2020 15:18

Oh just ignore. Reading is the only thing I would do.

Some schools are ridiculous.

Topseyt · 19/09/2020 15:20

Just don't do it. When she starts getting reading books then do a bit of reading with her a couple of times a week.

Four is far too young for more than that, surely.

Everydayimhuffling · 19/09/2020 15:21

That's ridiculous. I would talk to the teacher or school about the expectations they have and check exactly what they are telling the kids. It could be totally optional (though that's a massive waste of resources if so) and your DD didn't understand that.

I would also be very reluctant to do it and not happy with the pressure on my DC to do it. I teach in Secondary and I think most secondaries give too much homework, never mind that in reception!

Thebig3 · 19/09/2020 15:26

Homework is not compulsory in reception so don't worry about it. Some people want to have homework sent home and to do with their children which is why I think some schools do it. Honestly I wouldn't even bother if your daughter isn't interested.

Babamamasheep · 19/09/2020 15:33

Can I ask is it a letter formation sheet for a certain phonics scheme? We hand these out each time we teach a new sound which is every day for the first month or so. We just reward the children whenever they come back and I often get a bunch a week or so later. Could you just do them whenever you get a chance and then send them back in a bunch?

DolphinsAndNemesis · 19/09/2020 15:40

I would only have her do the bits of homework she wants to do. If it becomes a struggle or she is exhausted, I'd forget it. Honestly, the idea of a 4-year-old doing homework is beyond ridiculous. Plenty of academic research supports the notion that homework for primary school children has no positive benefits at all (with the exception of reading).

Invisimamma · 19/09/2020 15:45

Keep them incase we get locked down again and you need them for home schooling. But yes it seems like a lot for a 4 year old.

Leafbeans · 19/09/2020 15:47

If there isn't an expectation to hand them in, then don't do them if you don't feel it's beneficial. Personally I would keep them in a folder and if we go back to homeschooling or there's some time to fill and you don't know what to do she can do one. Some parents like having a structured activity to do with their DC, many don't at that age, by providing one with no expectation that it will be done or handed in it caters to everyone.

NotGenerationAlpha · 19/09/2020 15:55

Other people might tell you it’s unreasonable. But it’s there for children who wants it. I have two in primary. The home work was phonics, writing and reading, with a bit of maths counting in year R. DC1 wouldn’t do it. DC2 loved it and actually did extra. For DC1 what happened was we were told she was behind in the parent teacher meeting in the spring term, and that she’s in the remedial group. She turned around in year 1 and we worked really hard with her to catch up. She is solidly average now. DC2 loved it and she wanted to do those CGP workbooks like her sister. As a result of this, she starts year one now at reading band 6, and can do a lot of the number bonds. (She isn’t the only one on band 6, she said one of her best friend is too). And she told me another girl on her table was put back to the pink band (band 1).

While you don’t need to make them do any work, just be aware that you either have to catch up at some point later, or she will fall behind the other children that do the work. It’s very obvious in the class where everyone is via the book bands and times table sheets they are given.

Mippi · 19/09/2020 16:01

Teacher probably also has parents wanting homework so they can't win.

If it's optional (no expectation to hand back in) then do it or not as you fancy.

chloechloe · 19/09/2020 16:01

That’s frankly ridiculous for a four year old. I’m not the UK but here they start school at 6 and do one day a week of pre-school in Kindergarten aged 5-6. Learning should be through playing at that age.

I think it’s completely counter productive trying to get them to do homework when they are overtired after a day at school.

Seaswims · 19/09/2020 16:03

@RepeatSwan

Oh just ignore. Reading is the only thing I would do.

Some schools are ridiculous.

This

Di11y · 19/09/2020 16:11

My DD never learned letter formation properly (in y2 now) and I've had to find resources and helped her over lockdown. I would certainly do it but only when she can, at weekends and if she fancies it in the evenings. we do reading before school as she's too tired after.

DolphinsAndNemesis · 19/09/2020 16:26

While you don’t need to make them do any work, just be aware that you either have to catch up at some point later, or she will fall behind the other children that do the work.

While that may be true for some children, it certainly isn't the case for all. A just turned 4-year-old is probably not at risk of falling behind academically simply because she eschews some worksheets.

Sam1515 · 19/09/2020 16:30

My Dd just started reception too.
Her class has an app that the teachers upload a daily photo about what they have done. any class announcements go on here too. It’s great as it means the class doesn’t get clogged up with parents speaking to teachers at the end if h tv a day as well as we get a great insight into what our children are doing.
Homework goes on the app too. This weeks homework is to find the number one around the house and to take a photo beside it and upload it to the app.
That’s the kind of level of homework I would expect to be honest at this stage, with more added as time goes on. Refreshing the mind, letting parents participate in their education but not having to spend loads of time focusing or concentrating since they spend all week doing that.

solidaritea · 19/09/2020 16:50

Most likely, this is being done so that you know what they're learning in class and can help them.

Parents are a child's most important teacher, so it would be a shame to ignore them completely. But if you don't want to do the sheets, maybe you could explore the learning in another way? Eg. If it's Phonics, you could get her to spell the sound with magnetic letters on your fridge. Or if she's adding one in maths, you could get her adding one to the number of apples you have in the bowl.

Other parents have to fight to find out what their children are learning in class. Your school obviously really believes that parents are partners, which is a huge strength in my opinion.

IHateCoronavirus · 19/09/2020 17:00

Reading/letter formation I would prioritise.
Other activities I’d consider if you find yourself with a bit of time, especially if it is one which generates conversation.

galgaf12 · 19/09/2020 17:40

As a teacher I can say this:

Some parents will complain like hell if no homework is given.

Some parents will complain like hell if homework is given.

In the case of reception children, just bin the lot and read.

MsEllany · 19/09/2020 18:01

I agree with @BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz. Stick em in a folder and maybe take one out on a rainy weekend. Alternatively, set a ten minute timer and down pencils when it goes off. But wait until she’s more into the swing of things, maybe by half term.

I refused any homework in infant school that wasn’t reading. My kids were always too tired to do it, and to be frank I just didn’t have the energy or will to help them through it.

DappledThings · 19/09/2020 18:13

Bonkers. My DS has just started Reception as well. They have a weekly challenge, which so far has been playing I Spy with letter sounds and this week to learn a practical skill at home they can use in a display.

I'm assuming there will be more about writing and recognising letters and numbers to come but it will still only be weekly. Daily.is crazy.

Sunnyjac · 19/09/2020 19:32

Not rtft but research shows that homework at primary school has zero discernible benefits. I would ask the school for evidence if the supposed benefits to her and say you won’t be doing it. She’s doesn’t even legally have to attend yet!

Boom45 · 19/09/2020 19:38

If she doesnt want to do it dont do it. My DH and I both work full time so the kids dont get home until 6/6.30 ish most days so we've never really done homework - no time and no inclination. Neither of them have ever been behind in anything or had to catch anything up.

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