Homework for a 5 year old!!!

Stephanie197744 · 2021-09-11T13:05:39+00:00

Hi My DS has just moved up to year 1,he was only 5 in June,so is one of the youngest in his class. The majority of his class are girls and during lockdown(he was 4) when we had to log on and do live lessons and then show the work it was quite clear that the older ones especially the girls in his reception class were far more advanced in their writing and art ect. The 3 pages of "Home Challenges" at least 3 have to be done, have been sent out this week,to be completed this term,including learning colours in French!! A spelling test at the end of term,and various other things that I know he is going to struggle with. He's 5!! Am I unreasonable in thinking this is far too much and too advanced for their age? The school expects them to be done,when I voiced concerns over lockdown I was told that if I cant get him to do the work in the week then just do it over the weekend 🙄 The school is very academic and because of lockdown I didn't get to visit the schools,meet the teachers,chat to the head,before we had to pick one,I feel like I've made a massive mistake. I'm seriously considering pulling him out and putting him in another school(have several friends with kids at the other school) which seems to have a completely different form of teaching but their students are flourishing? I just dont know what to do😞 Thanks for reading x

BananaPB · 11/09/2021 15:28

My kids went to a state school and homework in Reception was normal. Spellings started in year 1.

I have an August born son who I would have deferred if it were an option 10 years ago but unfortunately that wasn't the case. He caught up by year 6 but would have had a much easier time in the year below.

toomuchlaundry · 11/09/2021 15:31

Is this a state school? Homework will be normal in Y1 of state school too

Littlefish · 11/09/2021 15:37

Absolutely normal in year 1.

Original poster

Stephanie197744 · 11/09/2021 18:03

It's in the UK and the school is funded by the local council and the church.
It seems all the other first schools in my area dont set this amount of work,I have nephews in a neighbouring county school and they also don't get the amount and the more difficult things to do at this age.
The school is very very academic and I dont know if this is causing my son to hate it and cry every single day,I practically have to force him in the school gate,with a member of staff holding on to him

OP posts:

HungryHippo11 · 11/09/2021 18:04

Have you tried telling them you don't agree with homework at his age and therefore he won't be doing it. What would they do?

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 11/09/2021 18:08

We don't do homework at all in my school. We have the ethos that the children work hard in school so home should be the place for them to relax and many go to clubs after school as well. The only thing they have to do is reading. Spelling now starts in year two as we are doing a new phonics scheme that doesn't allow it in the way we did it.

I have found homework causes so many battles for parents, the ones that need to often don't do it and I was pleased when we stopped it. We sometimes do a mini project on things and we are about to learn poems and the quality of these is good because they are different and have a break in between.

wonkylegs · 11/09/2021 18:10

We had homework in reception and now again in yr1 and my eldest had the same in a different school when he was that age.
It's unlikely you will find a school without homework.
We've always done our best and in weeks when it's been to much for some reason or another we've just done as much as we can. To be honest after last years working at home, homework feels less of a challenge as he's a bit more used to working with mum & dad than his brother was.

Doveyouknow · 11/09/2021 18:11

Not all state schools have homework, it varies quite a bit. In our school kids get weekly spellings to learn and a reading book. Over the holidays they sometimes send optional work packs home. The main emphasis from the school is on kids reading regularly at home. Maybe look at other schools and see if any are a better fit?

PeonyTime · 11/09/2021 18:15

I dont think 3 things over a term (roughly one a month?) is too much, so I guess it depends on what the other things are that you alluded to.

BluebellsGreenbells · 11/09/2021 18:24

I don’t mind the homework it’s a nice link to school and to help you help your child!

There are songs for learning basic things - have a look in you tube and out in on in the care.

Spellings - do a colorful poster and put them in the hall - ask him to spell in when putting his shoes on! Even if he looks over your shoulder to ‘cheat’ he’s still looking and learning

Make it fun, rather than sat at a table and help him catch up and build confidence.

KidneyBeans · 11/09/2021 18:47

Why is it totally normal to have FRENCH homework when it's likely something if the children may not yet have a decent grasp of English?
Seems weird to me. Especially as most Y1 teachers are unlikely to be able to teach MFL to any sensible level

Aria2015 · 11/09/2021 18:56

I also think it's too much at this age. My ds is august born and the youngest in class. I've been shocked at how much homework he got in reception and y1. Weekly spellings tests, 3 reading books a week and homework sheets. In the end I focused on the reading and homework sheets and just left the spellings. It was too much for him and causing much stress and tears at home (surely counter productive to getting him to enjoy learning?). He's in year 2 now and I'm holding my breath as I'm told there's a lot expected of them. He's only just 6 and I think he'll struggle but we'll just try our best. Again, I'm focusing on reading as I feel like spelling will naturally improve with improved reading skills. It's a far cry from when I was at school but I'm ancient now so I guess it's to be expected that things will have changed!

Suzi888 · 11/09/2021 19:00

We get homework, so that’s normal.
Not french (but Welsh). I’d rather it be French, but YANBU, I agree with you it’s all a bit much.
Your child shouldn’t be crying that’s not good.
Have you spoken to the teachers and said you won’t be doing it?

toomuchlaundry · 11/09/2021 19:03

@KidneyBeans maybe they have a teacher who is proficient in French.

BluebellsGreenbells · 11/09/2021 19:05

I'm focusing on reading as I feel like spelling will naturally improve with improved reading skills.

Totally different skills.

KidneyBeans · 11/09/2021 19:09

[quote toomuchlaundry]@KidneyBeans maybe they have a teacher who is proficient in French.[/quote]
They may well do, but that's hardly 'normal' as some PP have alluded to, and regardless it doesn't justify distracting children from learning the required curriculum just because the teacher fancies it. That's why we have a NC rather then letting individuals just teach what they fancy

There us no requirement for learning foreign languages at KS1, and in the OP's case it could well be detrimental for her child not to have a more supportive and age-appropriate learning experience

KidneyBeans · 11/09/2021 19:11

@Aria2015

I also think it's too much at this age. My ds is august born and the youngest in class. I've been shocked at how much homework he got in reception and y1. Weekly spellings tests, 3 reading books a week and homework sheets. In the end I focused on the reading and homework sheets and just left the spellings. It was too much for him and causing much stress and tears at home (surely counter productive to getting him to enjoy learning?). He's in year 2 now and I'm holding my breath as I'm told there's a lot expected of them. He's only just 6 and I think he'll struggle but we'll just try our best. Again, I'm focusing on reading as I feel like spelling will naturally improve with improved reading skills. It's a far cry from when I was at school but I'm ancient now so I guess it's to be expected that things will have changed!

There's no evidence that homework in primary schools has any impact on educational outcomes. Despite this it has sadly become commonplace. I think there are many cases where it can do more harm than good unfortunately

TeenMinusTests · 11/09/2021 19:13

^The school is very academic and because of lockdown I didn't get to visit the schools,meet the teachers,chat to the head,before we had to pick one,I feel like I've made a massive mistake.
I'm seriously considering pulling him out and putting him in another school(have several friends with kids at the other school) which seems to have a completely different form of teaching but their students are flourishing?^

If in hindsight the ethos of the school doesn't fit with you, and there is a viable alternative then apply for it. If/when a place comes up at the alternate school you can make a decision to move him.

isitweds9thseptyet · 11/09/2021 19:30

Generally i treat primary school homework as optional. I don't believe it adds a lot of value. I put my efforts into reading instead. Its hard to fit an awful lot more in on top of two activities per week and some relaxation time too. Mine are also bright and work really hard at school.

I have often clashed with the school about my bohemian views. But only them being huffy and disappointed. But not to any avail or needing to remove them.

toomuchlaundry · 11/09/2021 20:00

@KidneyBeans you don't have to follow the NC if you are an Academy.

If there are 3 pages of Home Challenges and they only have to choose 3, I am assuming learning colours in French is optional. Some children at this age love learning languages, and it is good to give them that option if they want to. There were a few parents at DS's Primary School (small rural village school) who were proficient in foreign languages and they ran after school clubs which were very popular with some children

Original poster

Stephanie197744 · 11/09/2021 21:06

Thank you for all your comments

They have said that at least 3 should be done but I know they expect more,so its 1 a week until the end of term for October half term,it doesn't sound much but as someone else said it is a battle to get him to do any of it,he loves reading and we do that every night.He is really good with his numbers,but struggles with his writing.
I have tried to make it fun but he just resists me and doesn't understand why he has to do "school work" at home(his words)
I dont think French is appropriate at this age when he can't even spell the colour names in English yet!
Learning colours is one of the options,but they are also doing french every week in year 1,so if he doesn't do this challenge I'm worried that he will fall behind everyone else.
I have said it's too much and was told "oh he will be fine to get it all done"🙄
I am not going to fight him on this,it just upsets both of us.
I will be telling the school again that if he doesn't get it all done then tough!!

OP posts:

KidneyBeans · 11/09/2021 21:37

[quote toomuchlaundry]@KidneyBeans you don't have to follow the NC if you are an Academy.

If there are 3 pages of Home Challenges and they only have to choose 3, I am assuming learning colours in French is optional. Some children at this age love learning languages, and it is good to give them that option if they want to. There were a few parents at DS's Primary School (small rural village school) who were proficient in foreign languages and they ran after school clubs which were very popular with some children[/quote]
Lovely.
But your experience isn't the OP's is it?
So I'm not sure how that helps?

BluebellsGreenbells · 11/09/2021 21:42

I will be telling the school again that if he doesn't get it all done then tough!

Delightful.

toomuchlaundry · 11/09/2021 23:01

Why did you choose the school, was it just the closest one? Can you arrange a meeting with the teacher?

MrsPumpkinSeed · 11/09/2021 23:05

My son got 40 mins of homework every evening in year 1. Spellings etc.
It was only Mon to Thurs with weekends off. I actually think it's worth it. 3 Items a term is OK. YouTube will have French colour videos.