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Original poster

Homework feels way too much for year 1.

75 replies

TheFairPrincess · 13/09/2021 14:35

My little girl (and oldest) has just turned 6 and just started year 1, has just finished her first full week. She had a great first week, was star of the week so I know she is doing well.

However she was in tears last night and this morning as she said she's finding it all "too tricky", they don't play or have choosing any more. I'm hoping that she will adjust, but now the first week is over, more and more homework is being added. She now is expected to complete at home:

  • Reading book every day - she has moved up to a higher label so the books are longer than she is used to by a fair bit
  • Spelling practice every day for weekly tests
  • Regular/topic homework set Thurs and due on Tues
  • 2 x tables which they are also quizzed on

She is already exhausted from the general school day. I just feel like this is too much stress for her, she cried at the door today which she never did once in reception :(

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFairPrincess · 13/09/2021 14:36

She is also one of the oldest in her year, how are children almost a whole year younger than her going to cope?

OP posts:
Level75 · 13/09/2021 14:38

I think it is too much, but that's exactly what DD had in year 1.

Phizpop · 13/09/2021 14:39

My year 1 child has only had reading so far. I believe we will get spellings at some point, but I think (from reports from last years cohort) that should be it, at least this term. Definitely already more tired from the increased focus required during the school day.

Vallmo47 · 13/09/2021 14:40

Tons of people don’t do it at all, so I suggest reading a few pages and when she is showing signs of being tired, I’d write the page number we got to in their little book and continue the following day. Similarly, spelling practise doesn’t HAVE to be done every day. I see these more as recommendations. She’s bright and doing well, so if she’s getting at least 6-7 out of 10, I’d skip say Tues and Thurs practise out. Homework tasks are started in Year one and those I would take part in and they might ask her for hers and upset her. As for the two times table, can you do it in a fun way like play a game or just walk along to school and counting every 2 houses on the street? There are ways around this. I felt like you did with my first born but I’m slowly learning that the world doesn’t end if my kids don’t get full marks on a spelling test.
Please speak to her teacher and no doubt they will reassure you of exactly what I’ve just said. GL!

Original poster
TheFairPrincess · 13/09/2021 14:40

She's a bright girl and I honestly feel like her inability to cope with the work load is going to affect her self esteem and her relationship to school in general. Or will she fall into a routine and get used to it? I know it's only been a week. I just hate seeing her stressed, it doesn't feel right at all.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 13/09/2021 14:41

Just do what you can. As the books get longer you don’t need to read it all in one go either.

Original poster
TheFairPrincess · 13/09/2021 14:43

Thanks @Vallmo47 those are good ideas. I will prioritise the topic homework and if it ends up that I am reading to her rather than her to me, then so be it. She enjoys spellings so I'm hoping we can fit this in but you're right perhaps I'm taking the "daily" instruction too literally.

I feel like the school should be more aware of this though. The teacher did say this morning they had another child very upset this morning too.

OP posts:
minipie · 13/09/2021 14:43

It’s the beginning of the year, she’s only just back after summer, new classroom new teacher etc and they always find that a tiring change. Y1 is always a jump as it’s more structured. In a couple of weeks you may find she is less tired as she’s more used to the school routine.

I would say don’t push all the homework if she seems too tired, gradually build it up instead. School won’t mind.

TellingFriends · 13/09/2021 14:48

My DD has also recently turned 6 but is in year 2 (summer baby). The only homework she has is reading, no spelling or times tables.

They also have 'golden time' at least once a week which is free play.

Is your DD at a private school?

MossyBottom · 13/09/2021 14:52

When DS2 was in Y1 I saw the homework load destroying his entire love of learning, not to mention family harmony. He had reading, spelling, a weekly work sheet and also some comprehension on all his reading books.

I told the teacher he wouldn't be doing any more than reading until I felt he was ready.
It was a huge relief and he went back to loving school and reading.
Long term it did him no harm. This was 23 years ago and he managed all top grades in exams and a 1st at uni.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 13/09/2021 14:54

My yr6 gets less than that...

Rainallnight · 13/09/2021 14:56

My DD is young in her year and finding the transition to Yr 1 really hard and hasn’t even had any homework at all yet!

Personally, I think Year 1 is too much too soon. If it were me, I’d be focusing on her emotional and social well-being for now, supporting her with the transition, and telling the teacher you’ll make a start on homework at half term.

sevencontinents · 13/09/2021 14:58

Wow 2 times tables the first week of tear 1Shock
I would be questioning why children are being asked to learn these so quickly. Surely lots of investigation and practical tasks should come first to cement understanding of the concept? I am wondering if she is at private school too.

Usernamenotallowed · 13/09/2021 15:04

I'm surprised about times tables at the beginning of year 1! I'm sure my son was just doing counting in 2s, 5s and 10s half way though and then actual times tables in year 2.

If the books are long don't read them all in one go. Just let her read it over a few days. Ask them not to be changed until she's finished it.

Original poster
TheFairPrincess · 13/09/2021 15:08

Yes they're doing some system for the times tables which starts now and when they pass 17/20 (!) on the quiz they get another times table added..

I did think it was a lot. She is not in a private school but they are one of the highest schools in the tables in the country and it feels a bit like they are putting that first above the childrens' wellbeing. I think I will be having a word, I frankly don't like making her do anything during the week at the moment until she's had a break.

OP posts:
welshweasel · 13/09/2021 15:08

Just started year one here. No homework yet. From what he says at least half the day is still spent choosing what he wants to do and there is loads of free play.

Original poster
TheFairPrincess · 13/09/2021 15:09

Their reading books are changed on Tuesday and Friday so I think you are right we will read a few pages each night.

OP posts:
LemonWeb · 13/09/2021 15:09

We did times tables on the way to and from school. If you’re walking it’s easy to make it into a game where you count in twos for each step. Little ones get tired quickly, particularly with a change of routine, but I’m sure your dc will get used to it.

YouTubeAddict · 13/09/2021 15:10

That’s loads! Just do what feels natural to her, that’s probably what the other parents will do anyway. She’ll learn loads going on walks and maybe you can build in spellings but saying things like ‘how do you spell tree’ whilst you’re out walking? Make it a bit more fun.

Lavender24 · 13/09/2021 15:13

That's a ridiculous amount for year 1. I'd tell the teacher it's too much and she's not doing it.

billy1966 · 13/09/2021 15:18

Thats a lot.
When reading with her, let her read a line and then you do 3 lines.

Point out words on the linecthat you know she knows.

Don't let it be a stress point.

Keep an eye on the time.

Ask the teacher how much time she should soend on her homework, and tell her you will stop after that amount of time.

The most important thing is thatvshe forms good habits, tries her best and gets praise for her effort.

She will get used to it.

The first few weeks are always a shock.Flowers

simbobs · 13/09/2021 15:21

My DD had a lot of homework in Y1 and it really bothered her, making her tearful and fractious. I think it ruined school for her. That was many years ago but I wish I had had this advice at the time. Her teacher suggested I scribe for her!

lawofdistraction · 13/09/2021 15:28

You don't have to finish a whole book every day! That wouldn't be sustainable as the books get longer or when she becomes a free reader. You don't need to practice the spellings every day either, just make sure she knows them by the test. If she's bright she may well already know them or will find them easy and you're talking about a few minutes work weekly.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 13/09/2021 15:38

She probably doesn't have to read the whole book if they are longer books. I'd do 10-15 minutes reading and then stop. Then spend 5 minutes on the spellings.

Times tables I'd do using an app or something like Percy Parker sing the times tables.

Depending on your DD, you might find that too long a break isn't helpful. DNiece was much better in a routine of doing homework almost as soon as she got in and then having the rest of the evening free.

MichaelGovesBeard · 13/09/2021 15:39

That’s more than my yr8 has had so far this term. And not much less than my yr10.

I think the daily grind of spellings/reading/times tables is bloody hard for ks1.

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