Reception: homework is not challenging enough

[Legomania]

DS started reception this year. His teacher sets 'Weekend challenges' which are starting to be phonics related. However DS can already read fluently. Do I try to extend the task somehow (he can also write/spell them)? Think of an entirely different challenge eg doing up buttons? It feels a bit premature to speak with the teacher, especially if it's basically a consolidation exercise. I'm guessing this won't be a one-off.

Just don't do it. Let your kid do what they want to do

@HallieKnight

Just don't do it. Let your kid do what they want to do

Really? Tell a bright child that they don't actually have to try hard? That seems like a strategy for success.

OP, I'm hyperlexic & I was asking the teacher for homework more suited to my reading level from the first few weeks. Mostly I just got lots of reading sent home, which suited me fine. Sometimes I got workbooks in a variety of subjects & short essays set, as I got older, as well.

All the kids are going to be at different stages right now. Some kids will have a natural ability to learn to read and will be quite far on. Whoopdeedoo! - so provide them with some fun and challenging reading at home. For others it will be completely new and they may not pick it up naturally for many many reasons. This is why homework is NUTS in reception! How rubbish and stressed would the kids and adults feel if they are suddenly given books with paragraphs as homework and they are still new to letter recognition.
They are in school 6 hours a day 5 days a week. Really, they need homework on top of that at age 4? You are part of your child's education as much as the teacher. Do you really need explicit instructions on how to help your child progress? Read to them and point along with your finger. Get them to read to you. Job done.

In that case I’d focus on just enjoying reading with him, an enjoyment of reading for pleasure will take him far, and also help with that comprehension piece too. Talk about the books and maybe explore further anything interesting that comes up for him. I was an advanced reader too (I’d read the whole scheme by the start of year one and my mum had to buy me my own books - scheme does go further now 25 ish years later!) so I get why you want to nurture it, but nurturing the love of books is beyond just the phonics

Can you do other activities within a general theme with your child? Or just go through reception age workbooks. Handwriting is a good task to just progress with at home. And yes buttons, laces anything that brings independence I would encourage. In surprised they can't use buttons at that age, its quite late. Perhaps focus on dexterity tasks and bring those in line.

One homework in YR when mine were that age was to change into PE kit in 2 minutes (I think it was 2!?). Then get dressed again in a little bit longer including doing up shoes and buttons.

We also got loads of books out of the library and bought books too - poetry for children was a great favourite. We practiced writing and went out as much as possible to see and learn about new things. Learning is more than reading.

I would suggest that as he moves into next term, if the reading books don’t seem to match his ability, you certainly can chat with his teacher. They will have assessed where he is and be setting appropriate reading material for him. Where I live it has been a problem that the early traders don’t pass the phonics test. I’m not sure it matters as long as they understand what they read and plenty of them have gone on to the grammar schools here. Some dc just get on with reading and phonics is only part of their learning strategy. The brightest ones certainly do remember words but you cannot assume they don’t understand either. The brightest just do.

My god this has to be your first child at school, no? Just let them be happy. They’re obviously bright. Read with them, do crafts, go jump in puddles, don’t stress about pushing them st such a young age.

Absolutely all back in the box says!

Your child is in school for most of the week absolutely nonreasom for them to privude you with more work unless you pack imagination in providing a learning environment. Worksheets will be inferior to learning through living (baking/ lego/ playdough/ music/ craft/ walking/ sport...) lots of discussion and play and curiosity about the world.

Asking for more homework really is pointless!!

@InFlagranteDerelicto letting your child direct their own learning is very successful. Forcing them through pointless work with only make them disengage with learning

[quote HallieKnight]@InFlagranteDerelicto letting your child direct their own learning is very successful. Forcing them through pointless work with only make them disengage with learning[/quote]
Speaking as someone who was in a similar position to the OP's child (I could read independently by 3, I just picked it up naturally) I have to say that I was incredibly bored at school. This did not engender a love of learning - in fact, rather the opposite.

I know reception is not exactly pedal to the metal time but I want him to get into the habit of having to try a bit, so he doesn't get a horrible shock somewhere down the line.

This is exactly what happened to me. Told all my childhood I was a genius, mediocre A-levels because I didn't do any revision. Consequently I didn't get into my first choice of university.

OP - I'd just carry on with the reading. Anything & everything he's interested in. Not just modern stuff, either - older books tend to use different vocabulary & sentence structure, which will expand his range of experience. But also yes to other things, anything he can benefit from, & enjoy.

The brightest ones certainly do remember words but you cannot assume they don't understand either. The brightest just do.

I was reading James Herriot by 7, & remember figuring out what an embryotomy wire was. It was pretty obvious from the description. Not that I'm suggesting the OP gives James Herriot to her reception aged child, probably a bit much.

Can't you just do other things with him instead? Let him read to you, do crafts, baking, practice other skills. My dd is in year 1 and she gets spellings every 2 weeks and tbh I don't really think that is necessary. She only got reading books in reception. Don't really see why homework is needed for such little kids.

I was reading James Herriot by 7, & remember figuring out what an embryotomy wire was. It was pretty obvious from the description. Not that I'm suggesting the OP gives James Herriot to her reception aged child, probably a bit much

That would be one for the 'swear words in yr 3' thread - I shocked my older DB when I was a young teen by cheerfully referring to someone as an 'owd bugger'.(different times!)

I view it as an exercise in sitting down with DD and producing something she's proud of. They can do independent work at home. FWIW, DD is in the same position but a bit older. I think it is pretty common to have a few in each cohort who are a good few years ahead. Schools are used to this and set slightly different work for each child/group.

We do a bit of sit down tutoring at weekend and some comprehension, verbally. So when she's playing just asking comprehension questions of what she's reading either school or home books. School won't let him skip huge chunks of the reading scheme without ensuring he understands and can explain what he is reading.

Also, focus on fun practical tasks. Baking, cutting, doing buttons, dreaded craft.

Independent work at school I mean.

Haha there was some quite fruity language in there actually. My mother were quite puritanical & I'm not certain she knew I was reading them... I was never told about periods, for example, & I never had any sex education classes at school so I suspect I was pulled out of them. But we had very few books in the house & it was too far to walk to the library so I read them.

My mother was

One day he'll have too much homework op. Relax and have some fun with your child (or go on Pinterest to find some educational activities so u can set him homework yourself if u must). Time is so precious. I used to be a reception teacher.

I beg you not to go running to the teacher and telling her your reception starter is finding the work assigned to be insufficiently challenging.

Have lots of books at home that suit his reading level, let him read to you, and then ask questions to establish his understanding of what he has read etc.

But I always think "play to their weaknesses" instead of focusing on the stuff they are already secure in. Can he ride a bike, swim, tie his laces, use a knife (at table)? How are his social skills? There is probably something you can use this time to focus on.

@BackforGood

What everyone else said, .......but yes, if he can't do buttons, then that would be a good thing to work on.

Agree. Doing up buttons is important as self-help but also good for developing fine motor control which is important for writing. Just let him read the books he likes.

Homework for Reception children is a very recent thing. I only retired as a Reception teacher just over 5 years ago and I never gave week end homework. In fact, homework in primary was generally unknown until the 90s.

Play games with him (if he's interested).

Rummikub
Battleships
Monopoly
Card games
Lego both free play & building to guides.

They're all fun & teach different skills.

How are his fine motor skills?

Writing?

Chill. Read other books at home and do lots of the arty/creative stuff that is being squeezed in the school curriculum.

The mainstream primary that my DC go to has a no homework policy... that's right, NONE.

At home they read. They get to be creative, get exercise and fresh hair. All part of an education if you ask me.

Yes. For MC parents who provide all of that. Pity the others with nothing provided for them! No books. No learning experiences. They fall further behind if learning isn’t reinforced at home. I agree MC children don’t need much homework but most schools send home reading books and parents are encouraged to assist with learning. Often ideas are given by the school. However chaotic parents simply find this difficult so I think an expectation of some work at home can nudge parents into taking an interest. Schools should never assume every parent can provide creative activities, fresh air and exercise. That’s simply not true.

@InFlagranteDerelicto asking for differentiation in class is a whole different thing. Personally my child is not in school because she is too smart for it

Too smart to make friends?