Homework in Reception

[5goingon13]

Ds has weekly homework. This is something they have been given from week 1. Usually the homework is to recognise a letter they have already learnt in class and to practice writing the letter. They may also include some number work, matching numbers, find the missing number. DS says he really doesn't like doing homework. Not that he has any problems being able to do it. Sometimes though I can see he's not making a real effort especially when it comes to writing.

DH thinks it is completely ridiculous that reception children are being given homework.

Just wondered how others feel? Is DH being unreasonable?

My experience was that reception children were asked to read every night, but it didn't really matter if it wasn't done every night. Those who were ready had books, others had words or sounds. We didn't have any maths at all.

What you describe sounds pretty normal to me.

My dd is in reception and doesn't have homework which I am relieved about...she's WAY too tired after school to be able to do any anyway. And I know it would totally put her off school if I tried to do any with her. The school started sending a book home each week since January - one book which gets changed on a weekly basis and the aim is to hear them read at home 5 times per week. We also read to her separately each night but this is just for our enjoyment.

They also have a book which comes home with the sounds they have learnt that week and room on the page opposite to practise writing the letters...this has come home from day one in September with new sounds added each week but the teacher stressed this is NOT homework and they only need write in it if they show an interest...my dd has shown NO interest to do so and so the book is empty! I am hoping that by not pushing her, she will eventually become interested...hope this is the right approach!

We only get books once a week - she gets three books at once and usually reads them that evening or the next morning. I would like more, but I wouldn't want it to be compulsory iyswim.

She did her first reception term at a private monterssori school in another country and we got a lot more homework - although still only perhaps twice a week. However it was more maths, writing, comprehension etc.

Research has shown that homework does not improve learning (and may even affect it negatively), particularly for younger children. In reception, it is pointless. Reading and other activities do not need to be associated with school - if your DC want to read books, they do not have to be school ones.

Thank you for you comments. I think this may be the first time that DH has had to help DS with his homework. DH seemed a bit unsure what was required so his comment did come from frustration. I don't have a problem with DS having homework or helping him to do it. As everlong says it only takes 5 or 10 mins. I usually get DS to do it the same day it is sent home then it's out of the way and he can enjoy his home time!

I am sure that unconnected, irrelevant homework, forced upon overtired children is a bad idea. But reading books with your child is pretty much necessary to help them to learn to read. A pretty unethical, IMO, study done years ago showed, surprise surprise, that those who read to parents at least three times per week made significantly more progress than the control group who didn't. We do reading books with dd, reception, every day, but at the moment opt out of the high frequency word stuff as more is too much. In any case, she writes daily of her own free will, which I help with when asked and see that as more valuable. The problem with homework, except reading books is that it is often poorly differentiated and monitored making it pointless.

School asks that we go through their pot of letters (all alphabet) and high frequency words every night. 10 mins of reading and twice a week a sheet of work.

No homework here except reading books, which are changed most days. I would be appalled if he was given homework in reception.

Ds started reception in September and gets 6 books a week to read, 2 at a time, changed Mon, Wed and Fri. At first it was just picture books but after about a month we started on word books.

He doesn't always want to read his books but if I pick the right time, when he's had a bit of chill out time, a drink and a snack etc. then he does enjoy it and is so proud of himself when he reads the book through.

Ds only gets 1 writing homework a week, usually a Friday and that it writing the letters that they've practiced that week.

My nephew is in year 1 and we see a lot of him so often the boys will sit together and do their homework, my ds copies whatever writing dn does and they enjoy doing it together.

Ds 2 (3.3) now gets 'homework' from preschool (tracing the lines, tracing his name etc.) and he loves it. It makes him feel so grown up to be doing homework like his big bro.

I agree with your DH.

I think reading is the only thing you should be asked to do at home with your DC in Recpetion.

This would really annoy me to be honest, my dd is in reception and has a book which she brings home which sometimes we read sometimes we don't (she has a bedtime story every night and is read to a lot so I don't always feel the need to read the school story as well). However what your son is being asked to do sounds more structured and how does the school expect young children who are already very tired to do more than what they do already is beyond me! It wouldn't happen with us at least 3 nights a week as on the days I work we often don't get in til 6pm which just leaves enough time for bath, quick chat, pjs, supper and bed!!

My ds (5) gets no homework or set books. We read any book he is interested in every night with him.

He seems to set his own homework. The other morning he was up early 'writing a story book' with some help from me with the writing part.

I don't think it's good to push homework at this early stage, they have years of homework to look forward to!

dd2 practises her handwriting 5 times a week, she has 5 words to write. It helps to keep her quiet whilst her big sister does her homework. Dd2 actually asks for homework and used to cry on the night she wasn't given her book to read!

dd1 only had reading to do every night when she was in reception but we often didn't bother if she was too tired.

I agree with your DH. I just ignore homework if DD doesn't want to do it.

OTOH I am annoyed because the school won't let us change reading books as often as we'd like and DD knows them by heart after one reading. When we complained, they actually cut the number of books she got .