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Homework corner

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My DD has trouble processing things.

2 replies

wintersweet1977 · 01/11/2018 20:28

Sorry this is a long one. My DD has processing problems and struggles to complete work because of it. This has been highlighted to me this year (year 2) because this is when proper homework has started they are also sending home work not completed in school. She has always been slow to think things through, including when we're chatting etc.

I have raised this with the school to be told "yes this is a concern we're going to watch and wait". Not content with watching and waiting I have self referred to the development centre with suspected ASD & ADHD.

They said they wouldn't differentiate the work as she is very capable but slow. In SATS revisions she gets through less than five questions in 45 minutes allotted but her answers are always correct.

I have told school that I won't make her do all the homework but I'm happy to have her work for a set time, they've recommended 25 minutes a night not including reading. That seems like a lot to me. I have three older children who didn't do this amount of homework in year 2 they had the same amount of worksheets but it took them half an hour at the most per week. I don't think she should miss out on other activities because it takes her more time to process things. She doesn't mess about and rarely gets distracted it just takes her a long time to think things through before she starts to write it down.

I am a single parent with 4 children, two already diagnosed with ASD, one of whom I pre-teach the literacy work coming up the next week at school (reading a short novel and working through all the spelling, grammar and definitions of about 15 words, sentences containing the words and prep for comprehension) so that my son has a chance of understanding it as agreed with the school, plus his normal homework, and the homework of my other children. I feel like all I do is homework with them and then my own work that I've brought home already, So this year adding on 25 minutes extra per night plus the work my DD hasn't completed during the week seems too much! By the time we get home from school and work, cook and eat (everything from scratch due to one of my son's allergies) and do all the homework there's no time for us to have fun together and bedtimes are getting later and later.

So my question, now you've got the background is:

How long should a child in year 2 do homework each night/week?

OP posts:
Loulou247 · 02/11/2018 15:28

Not 25 minutes per night. I am shocked by school's response. If they are in agreement there is a genuine issue with processing they need to accomodate that and differentiate accordingly. It is up to school to set aside time for her to complete set work not be bringing it home. I'm sorry but I feel they are taking advantage of you being an accomodating parent. They are not working with you on this, they are off loading so you will co-educate. This will not be helping your dc one bit just adding to her stress and yours and certainly not helping her self esteem. I would only agree to do homework that is set weekly and no more as after school activities and relaxation time is what she needs after what is probably an exhausting day for her. I am sorry you are not being supported by school but I would be standing firm on this.

April2020mom · 03/11/2018 21:05

As a teacher I vary the amount of homework given. For a child in the second grade I recommend 20 minutes a day.
If the school is not interested in having a discussion about this issue you might need to pull her from the school. With my little first graders I never set them homework more than once a week. I always tell the parents if the homework packet is too hard or too long then please email me.
Homework also needs to serve a purpose. Children need downtime as well. Ask to talk with the teacher. See if you can find a acceptable solution that pleases everyone concerned.

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