4yo not interested....

[JonSnowKnowsSomeThings]

Hi all, I have a little boy, just turned 4 and starting reception in sept. The school gave us some homework for him to do over the summer discuss with his teacher at his pre-start meeting. Nothing major - just taxing dotted lines, colouring, copying letters etc. I've tried so many times to get him to do this bloody homework and he's absolutely not interested in anything to do with it. I've basically bribed him with marbles and treats today to get him to do half of it. He mucks about, slides off his chair, scribbled on the page, pretended he couldn't hold the pen. I'm worrying he's going to slip behind at school - he can just about legibly write his name with coercion - I don't think he's not physically or intellectually not able, he's just not interested and can't be bothered and doesn't see the point. I've got loads of different activity books to do together but he really doesn't want to do it. Any tips or people in similar situation?

It's amazing what they will do when everyone else is also doing it!!
DS1 will do stuff at school he won't replicate at home.
Don't stress about the homework. You've tried. He can't /won't do it. Just put a message that you've tried at several different points over the holiday, but DS isn't ready for it yet.

I don't think from what you are saying that it is a formal piece of homework to be handed in and marked - it sounds more like a 'let's do these things with a parent over the holidays' and see what you can do. I really don't think the teacher is going to think you are a shit parent if you hand it in with a note saying, 'ds wasn't keen on doing any of these things, but we did ....go on holiday, play lego, go to the park etc.'

He is at the very beginning of his school journey, and it shouldn't start with a battle.

I agree that children will do very different things at home to school. There are children at preschool who will sit and do craft, but who won't sit down for 5 seconds at home - it is a different environment, with different people and they will have strategies for children who are reluctant to do a particular thing.

Ferguson, I find your reaction provoking approach a bit weird tbh!

jon well I would hope a school would use similar principles to the 3Cs

Having a picture for your peg is an obvious goal and it will be obvious to your DS that he will want one too (content)....everyone else will be doing it (collaboration)...and if he doesn't do it then no harm no foul (choice). The natural consequence will be that he has no picture and others do. No one else suffers for his decision and he can always reverse his decision and do one later or at home or whatever.

Of course if the school is going more for the 'everyone sit down and do as your told or else' approach then frankly I would take him out of the school!

Ds and dd didn't have a choice of pictures on their peg at school they were just given a peg with a printed picture over it.

Never realised schools expect little ones to do their own drawing.

Ds has dysgraphia so never did colouring in or drawing. What would the school make of that? Dd couldn't write her name till she was 6. Dd is dyslexic and she still has trouble writing her middle name and she is nearly 16. Not every child responds to the gentle pushing into reading and writing.

Olivers - that was an example. I'm talking generally.

He sounds fine. Lots of boys (in particular) of this age are the same. Don't push him or else he'll dig his heels in further. He'll also pick up on the fact you're getting stressed and play up more to wind you up!

I bet he won't be the only one who wasn't interested.

We are in the same boat. No interest in anything remotely academic or formal learning. Turned 4 end of june. I was a bit worried but now less so - more concerned with him suddenly behaving really badly and regressing re clothes, shoes, toileting. Think is anxiety andhoping will go off!

I'm sure your ds won't fall behind !