YR DD is getting distracted whilst doing homework

[MilestoneMum]

And I am getting disproportionately frustrated about it.

We have many years of homework ahead of us and I can't bear the fidgeting etc.

By the end of it she says herself that she enjoyed it, it just takes her a while to get into it. She focusses well on other tasks e.g. reading scheme book.

Does anyone have any tips to stop me losing my rag???

Little and often? Just 10-20 mins a day?
What homework and how long for?

Often involves c.6 sentences of writing.

Funnily enough she'll write that amount of her own volition as part of playing or something she wants to communicate, the problem just seems to be the homework set.

Maybe I should just be happy with 2 lines for 3 nights.

I would (and have) refused to make them do it. reception/yr1 and yr2 kids do not need homework. if they find it frustrating it can do alot more harm than good.

I'd also agree not to get into battles over Reception homework. Encourage them to do "something" but not necessarily the whole lot. I'd be pleased if I got DS to write 6 words when he was in Reception!

6 sentences in year R?

No wonder she gets distracted!

I would get her to do 2 at a time.

It is better to spread out over a few days a line a night. I really wouldn't show your frustration as it will make matters much worse. I don't think you should expect her to sit down for more than 10mins at a go.

We don't even get homework in Reception I thought that was normal! I do get DS to write once a week in his home book and at the weekend I encourage him to write a shopping list or fill in a worksheet , but we don't do writing everyday (maybe we should....), he just wants to play. We do a reading book a day and that's as much "work" he is willing to do.
Also because of the good weather the DCs are out playing all afternoon (And I want them to, as the weather is not always going to be this nice) and just come inside for dinner, bath etc and by then DS will just about read his reading book, no way will he sit down to write anything!

in R DD tends to get 6 words to write out a few times and a sentence for each of them, get it on a friday to do for the following wednesday. But she loves to do it, she likes to try and come up with the most impressive sentences she can!

if she was reluctant then I agree splitting it might work but then if it is more a case of she gets into it eventually and enjoys it then by splitting it she will potentially not engage in it at all if that makes sense.

In Reception my kids school give out similar.
DS now in Y2 fidgets from the moment his eyes open in the morning, so I sympathise. What worked for us was to break it up - eg write one sentences - do 5 star jumps - write second sentence - run round the room like a monkey - write third sentence - attack parent from behind like stealth ninja - you get the idea
Got rid of the fidgets and got the homework done
The teachers always said it's more to form the habit of homework than the actual work - I have always assumed they mean that as much for the parents getting into the habit as the kids... And in fairness it has made it easier now, there is more of it.

No homework in YR here either. It's an outstanding school, fantastic academic results - school's policy is that they work them hard in schooltime, let them relax outside school and they'll learn better. We do get reading scheme books provided by the school, but if the children prefer to read something else, parents are just asked to note that in the diary instead. They're encouraged to take in any book they've enjoyed for show and tell, or any writing/pictures they've done too. A a result, most of them come out of school keen to 'write a book' that they can take in the next day. Same outcome, but different means of achieving it.

Personally, if it was my DD and she was writing the right amount but not the allocated task, I'd just send that in instead. It shows independence and originality... She's likely to have to spend the rest of her life toeing some corporate line somewhere!

Oh god, when did children start getting homework in reception?! I don't remember homework in primary school at all when I was a child. DS starts school soonish and I am dreading this.

While I like that DD gets homework I think 6 sentences in YR is a bit much.

I would split it in smaller sections like 2 sentences a day with a day off.

We found having a proper place with absolute no distractions like toys in the same room, books around, music on, TV on or so really helped her to focus.

We also use a RelaxKids CD to get her into a calmer mood.

reception DD has to write a sentence about each spelling every week plus some work sheets, we find the best way to do it is split it up so it's 2 sentences a night during the week then a worksheet each day during the weekend, she then gets a smiley face if shes done it and a sad face if she hasn't, if she has more smiley faces than sad faces she gets a little treat after school on Friday (she gets smiley faces for other things too, like reading, getting ready on time in the mornings, going to bed when she's told etc.)

So basically, little and often and bribery.

Distracted? Perhaps because she's 4!

Outstanding primary - YR homework is sharing books and singing counting songs. Doesn't seem to be holding our children back.

If you're losing your rag now in YR you need to address your approach...you're going to turn her off trying new things for fear of getting it 'wrong' and annoying you.

Dcs school start with homework in yr1 (apart from the ubiquitous reading books!).

Dd1 (now y2) was very enthusiastic about homework ... Initially. Avoidance techniques were normal, not being able to sit still, procrastinating. Dd2 (yr1) hates it. I've decided that if I am nagging them constantly and losing my temper with them for refusing to do it, then they don't need to do it.

I've approached their teachers, and a handful of y2 teachers I was talking to (3 form entry). They said as they don't mark them, they don't mind them nt doing the homework. They said it was there because some parents had requested some extension work. I've been assured that my children work hard at school, are working above the expected level; so, really, I'm satisfied with that. They are only young for such a short time.

It's a shame though, as it seems dd1 friends are also getting quite stroppy about homework, it seems as though they are burnt out. I find that quite upsetting.

I only push reading at home, always buying books for them to get them to read more at home. Dd2 has even stopped reading school books at home .