Homework

[rebl]

I have dd and ds (twins 4yrs). The preschool started sending homework home at the beginning of this term. The homework consists of reading a book with them and then them drawing a picture about the book in their homework book. My dd is so excited by her homework that we do it the moment she walks in through the door on Wednesdays (they get it once a week on Wednesday and take it back the following Wednesday).

But my ds isn't interested at all. The stories aren't engaging him at all. It doesn't help that he's deaf so reading to him isn't easy. He also is delayed in mark making but we're gently encouraging and he's starting to choose to occasionally do some colouring. Today I've sent him in without him having done the homework. Everytime I've asked him over the week he's not wanted to do it and I don't want to force the issue. When I told the teacher she wasn't impressed.

The homework doesn't engage him at all and all of it is very challenging for him. He can't understand the book, he can't draw, its just all too much for him. I suggested to the teacher that he would maybe better to choose one of his books from home that hes familiar with so that he enjoys the story and knows what to try and draw. She didn't think that was a good idea because it would send him the message that it is ok not to do set work and he can just choose what he wants to do.

Thing is I think they're too young for homework anyway so it doesn't help my attitude towards it either. I really don't want to put him off for life.

This is PRE-SCHOOL??? You're right - far too young for compulsory homework. DD's pre-school sends home a "challenge" each week but it is strictly optional and ranges from "bring in a sock" to "drawing a picture". DD normally likes to do it but I never push if she doesn't want to and the nursery staff never make a big deal of it either.

My DS hated markmaking at this age too and would have kicked up a similar fuss to your DS. No way would I have forced him at this level. Your teacher is bonkers. (are your DTs moving to school in September - if so at least you don't have to endure this for too long). Far more damage to be done in "forcing" your child to do something they are not ready for than letting them think it is ok not to do set work

Would it work if you just looked through the pictures and talk about what the book might be about (oh look a picture of a cat and a dog - maybe we could draw a cat in your book or at least an orange scribble) or would this be frowned upon?

In your shoes I would do the minimum whilst cursing the teacher quietly (actually this is still my approach with my DS, now in Y1).

Thanks for your reply. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks its too young to have homework. They are moving to school in September so you're right, I don't have to endure this much longer. He loves books but he does struggle with books he doesn't know. I'm going to continue reading to him everyday like we do with his books from home. And I'm going to continue encouraging him to colour in his Thomas the Tank Engine colouring book which he loves. I recon he'll progress more that way and I'll just make my skin thicker with the teacher and tell her that I won't be forcing him to do it.