Is expecting reception children to do homework every day normal?

[MonChoufleur123]

Son started reception in September, every day he comes home with a reading book, a phonics book and a work sheet. We're expected to read with him and go over letters every day (it says 'please try to practice every day with your child') . There was extra work given for half term and we've just been emailed with a task for the weekend. There's also two apps we're expected to use with learning resources on. Is this the norm? It seems insane!
My little boy is really tired by the time he gets home, he just wants to eat tea and play then he's ready for bath and bed by six. I also have a six month old to look after and husband isn't home from work til bedtime. The teacher has put a note in his books asking why we're not getting through the homework and I don't know how to respond...

Most children would be happy to do a little bit of reading in bed before perhaps having a story read to them, but be honest, and just tell the teacher he is too tired after school and that you wont be doing much of the work set and you think it is unreasonable of her to expect this much at his age. She may come up with some good alternative suggestions.

A new homework sheet everyday is a bit much. We sent home one sheet a week that was things like spotting shapes or numbers. Reading everyday can be beneficial, but if you can only manage 3-4 times a week then as a reception teacher I would understand. Phonics should only be supporting what they're doing in school so practise if you can but they should be having daily phonics in class.

I'd be writing a note saying it's too much every day but you'll do x, y, z each week.

Did you know how much homework they got before they started? Does it mention how much in the homework policy?

I would find time to at least snuggle down and look at the book together each day then do what you can of the rest at the weekend.

My kids are younger, but I agree this is unreasonable. He's only just started school and needs to get used to that.
It's also totally unreasonable on parents - I'm a single parent, I work, and I'll have a younger one when my first starts school. There's just no way I could do all this every single day. Of course, support reading, and I agree, maybe some in bed, but he's only 4.

From what I remember (Ds2 now Y6) no. Reading at least x3 a week min more if poss. Possibly a 'fun' learning activity a week. Sometimes a little project in holidays. Things have changed though I think the increase in learning apps means its easier to set homework. Sounds too much - reading yes after that I would just say your boy is too tired.

Not normal at all! Normal in reception is a couple of reading books a week.

No that is not normal for reception.

Remember the school is not in charge of YOUR time, nor indeed your child’s time at home. An amazing number of parents think the school has some kind of authority over the parent’s home life.

Fyi, Yr 1 homework guidelines say it should take no more than an hour in total a week. Reception should be less than that…

Start a conversation wirh the teacher saying the amount of homework they are setting is inappropriate for your child’s age and you will not be doing it but you will be reading plenty of stories with your child to foster a love of reading.

Remember that some primary schools have completely scrapped homework and are doing just fine…

It does sound a lot at that age.

Have you tried doing the worksheet in the mornings ? That's what I used to do with my DD when she was too tired in the evening, and then there were no issues - in fact it was always completed very quickly.

I wouldn't read too much into the question, you've answered it here so just say "X is really tired by the time he gets home, he just wants to eat tea and play then he's ready for bath and bed by six. I also have a six month old to look after and husband isn't home from work til bedtime"then add "if you have any suggestion how best to support my child in other ways then please let me know"
The teacher just wants to know why so they can resolve anything that's causing an issue. without that information they can't do anything at all to help.

Not normal in my experience. DS is Yr 1 now. Last year in Reception he had one task a week but it was things like looking for signs of spring and ticking them off on a spreadhseet as well as one book a week.

Now he has no set tasks but is asked to read as much as possible and at least 3-4 times a week. That's all.

Thank you so much everyone who posted! I feel more confident to respond to the teacher. I don't really know any of the other parents well enough yet to ask how much they are doing.
We do read two books to him every night and do things at the weekend like crafts /painting, going out for a walk, to a museum etc and I speak a second language so he picks that up at home too. I think playing and spending time with friends and family are the biggest priorities for a 4 year old though!!

My reception age child is having reading each day but none of the rest and I still struggle a bit as she’s so tired after school and I work so we have limited time in the evenings

My son is in reception and they won’t get given any homework in reception- outstanding state primary. There’s a maths app the encourage the kids to use and they get sent home with a book which the swap when read but it’s optimal

Optional!

Mine practically had to be dragged home from school at that age, they were so tired, then napped until dinner. They had reading every night, maths once a week.

A bit of reading each day and practicing the set words is the norm in our school. BUT if he's not enjoying it don't push it, just look at the book/pictures with him or read it to him if needs be and talk about the pictures or ask a couple of basic questions.

Definitely shouldn't be a chore at this age. It's all about getting them to enjoy books.

Also, my year 1 daughter won't read in the evening - she is so tired and has nothing else to give by that point. We have a lot more success reading at breakfast time.

I would try to do a little reading daily, the rest sounds overkill. Maybe a worksheet once a week or something but no way would I expect my dc to do one daily.

Oh and the worksheet....I wouldn't be doing those every day and fortunately we didn't have to (and still don't it year 1). Worksheets are boring at the best of times....

We had weekly assignments in reception that were fun and ultimately optional, but not until the second term. It's really early days still.

Also. We are meant to do Numbots but we don't as my daughter isn't interested. Logged in for the first time the other day to see what it was about and it turns out that only 6 in the class of 22 have ever played it (and maybe 2 of those do on a regular basis) Not everyone is pro screen time and using apps for learning and that is fair enough. Since year 1 started we've been doing extracurricular activities and I see these as more beneficial than staring at a screen. There are only so many hours in the day so work with your child's interests....

Oh and don't forget that reception is optional. He doesn't even need to be there.....

We are not a homework household. Reading yes. But that happens organically. My kids are bright and try hard all day and are ready to chill when they get in. And do activities 2 days. Family time and time to re charge is really important.

Only do whats right for your family.

That's a lot for a Reception child.

Mine used to have a reading book. We were told what the new sounds would be in phonics each week and given ideas on how to help at home. It was things like "Look at home or when out for a walk with things beginning with 'p'".

This is why I love my DD's infant school. The only "homework" they're asked to do is read 5 X a week for 5 minutes. So simple and easy for them to understand. They get a reward at the end of the week if they do it. Works brilliantly. No other homework is set. It is not necessary at that age.

@MonChoufleur123

Son started reception in September, every day he comes home with a reading book, a phonics book and a work sheet. We're expected to read with him and go over letters every day (it says 'please try to practice every day with your child') . There was extra work given for half term and we've just been emailed with a task for the weekend. There's also two apps we're expected to use with learning resources on. Is this the norm? It seems insane! My little boy is really tired by the time he gets home, he just wants to eat tea and play then he's ready for bath and bed by six. I also have a six month old to look after and husband isn't home from work til bedtime. The teacher has put a note in his books asking why we're not getting through the homework and I don't know how to respond...

when mine was that age they had one sheet of work on monday, tuesday, wednesday, but it was never loads, just soemtimes they were sent home a book to read but they were always given a lot of time to finish it, i'd talk to the teacher if your son is struggling, just mention that he is finding the work quite a lot to deal with, good luck x