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.

I want him to get into the habit of having to try a bit - poor kid - he is barely born. Back off - just read to him and let him get muddy.

Life will chuck quite enough pressure at him as he grows - this is his only chance to have some fun.

Honestly I really do think you need to rethink your attitude to childhood.

@PresentingPercy

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.

@PresentingPercy I think there is something of the nudge thing going on at DS' school. It's certainly always the same MC parents commenting (at the teacher's request) on the homework activities

@Michance I don't think you can draw many conclusions about my attitude to childhood based on a query about a 15-minute homework assignment and my desire to stretch a bright dc.

(For the record, I don't think he'd do worksheets even I if did try to make him...which I don't. )

[quote HallieKnight]@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[/quote]
I dread to think what I'd have been like if my parents had pulled me out of school on the basis that I was too smart for it. I was dreadfully shy anyway, the other kids could tell a mile away & it usually became obvious very quickly that I was the brightest in the class. Being miles away from the school, which reduced the opportunity to build friendships, didn't help. It wasn't until my early 20s that I developed any confidence. I needed more social interaction, not less.

He won’t switch off - he’s four ! He’s more likely to get fed up if you start pushing him. Just have fun and read lots of books.

Goodness me, he's a tiny little boy, why would you want him to be challenged? He's only in reception. At that age they learn more from experiences. Teach him to tell the time, tie his shoes, do a knot in a tie. Bake with him, read to him, have him read to you. Ask him to make up a funny story for you.

Let him enjoy being a carefree child. The hard work WILL come.

@InFlagranteDerelicto you would have thrived in homeschooling then 😄

@LindaEllen I just mean stuff he has to think to do! Tying his laces certainly comes into that category at the moment

(Today we did indeed bake, read, I had a go at teaching laces, played mountaineers, explained a bit about the US election, got him to hunt and write out the 'tricky words' (the homework - he loved it), and he randomly did some basic sums in a book we had lying about (I got it off the bookshelf to lean on for colouring). I showed him how to change a watch battery. Tomorrow DH will probably take him out on his bike.)

What he can read but can't do buttons? Doesn't make sense?

Primary children don’t need homework. Let the teachers do the formal teaching during the school day and the children play or do sports after school.

@HallieKnight maybe. Not with my mother though. Treated motherhood like martyrdom & we were her punishment.

After some people here raised their eyebrows about the button thing, I got him to try the big ones on our duvet cover as I was changing it, no problem. The small ones on his polo shirt he seems to really struggle with though. His writing is good for his age so seems dexterous enough.
He seems neurotypical but I am willing to bet that there are plenty of DC that age, both NT and not, who can read but not do (all) buttons.

All that stuff you did today is great, but you mention him going out tomorrow on his bike? Was he not outside today? That, and the buttons etc are probably what you should focus on if he can already easily do the homework set.

my desire to stretch a bright dc. - that simply confirms my impression and sums it up. He does NOT need stretching - not now, not ever - he needs fun, love, a chance to use his imagination. You need to keep your hands right off this precious time in his one life.

I dread to think how he might grow up with this attitude at his back.

Life is so stressful for adults - this is his ONLY chance to be himself and not have to keep up with arbitrary expectations.

Early Years teachers know this which is why their approach is fun and the learning is subtle. Trust them - your job is to help him to be a relaxed and happy little human being.

@Anoisagusaris

All that stuff you did today is great, but you mention him going out tomorrow on his bike? Was he not outside today? That, and the buttons etc are probably what you should focus on if he can already easily do the homework set.

I don't think 6 days out of 7 is terrible to be honest - today was a combo of the other stuff I mentioned, watching the election coverage and spending most of the afternoon doing the cake. We do have to urge him out a bit though, he's not a natural lover of the great outdoors.

@Mischance

my desire to stretch a bright dc. - that simply confirms my impression and sums it up. He does NOT need stretching - not now, not ever - he needs fun, love, a chance to use his imagination. You need to keep your hands right off this precious time in his one life.

I dread to think how he might grow up with this attitude at his back.

Life is so stressful for adults - this is his ONLY chance to be himself and not have to keep up with arbitrary expectations.

Early Years teachers know this which is why their approach is fun and the learning is subtle. Trust them - your job is to help him to be a relaxed and happy little human being.

Oh do give over.

I will of course give over, because nothing will influence your mindset.

But it is very wrong indeed. I have worked with the children who have been "stretched" and I know what it does to them.

This bit of his life is precious and fleeting.

Sounds like getting outdoors and playing, riding a bike, parks etc might be the next thing to focus on at weekend then!

I think mine were challenged at school occasionally when they were young, YR. They didn’t learnt via continual play - they learnt by some more traditional methods too. It’s long been accepted that very bright children can be bored at school and this can lead to poor behaviour. Teachers do need to assess children and ensure they do irk commensurate with their abilities. It’s never about all DC learning the same thing at the same pace. It isn’t at 4 and it isn’t at 16. DC are not all the same and the education they receive should reflect that. Brighter dc have needs too and these should be recognised as well as the dc that need lots of extra help.

Parker231 the work sent home is to reinforce the learning that goes on in school. Parents that don’t listen to their children read or support the reinforcement of learning phonic skills are doing them a disservice.

OP I suggest you purchase or borrow some detailed picture books. Get him used to talking about the illustrations and ask him questions to involve him in thinking about what is happening. You could get him to ask you too. This way his comprehensive skills will develop. Then move onto story books with unfamiliar settings such as Floss( unless you live on a farm) and get him talking about what might be happening and also about what he thinks it would be like to live on a farm. Sharing books at this age is a lovely pastime.

Fine motor skills like rolling pastry, Lego, weaving, stitching can easily be done at home. Stitching- glue a picture on a piece of card and punch holes around the outline. Thread a bodkin with some thick thread or wool and let him stitch around it. Weaving can be between a Y shaped stick using coloured wool.
The buttons on school shirts aren’t always sewn well and can be difficult to do. Check that the button goes in and out the hole easily. Ask the teacher if there is anything else you can support him with when you have Parents evening.

Sounds like getting outdoors and playing, riding a bike, parks etc might be the next thing to focus on at weekend then!

Yep, a bit of running, jumping and climbing will also help his fine motor skills develop.

We read to DC’s each day but they didn’t do any homework until they were eleven. After school was spent at after school club, sports clubs, music classes, TV time and playing.

From your list of what you did with him today OP I would say that he needs time to be independent, to think for himself and to enjoy some free play.

Play will allow him to test out, practice and use his learning himself. It will help his focus and thinking skills. When we assess in EY we only know a child can really do anything when we see them doing this themselves.

Let him have access to his toys, add some books, pen and paper, what does he do himself? What does he create unsupported, can he sustain his play, can he use his writing/phonic skills during this play, to make maps or tickets. Can he use materials outside, work himself to plan and build a den, play in it over time, use his story knowledge. He would gain so much more from child led learning than more and more adult directed learning.

The Characteristics of Effective Learning ( google Early Years) are so much more important for life long learning, than being an early reader.

Enjoy some fun and some mess! ( and some time for yourself as he engages in his own play).

By the time DD1 was in y6, her junior school, they didn’t believe in homework. Except projects which were parent directed! But of a shock was in store for DC who went to the grammar schools. Some introduction to homework is needed and it should support learning in school.

I’ve yet to meet an early reader who wasn’t a very bright child. Reading is key to accessing the whole curriculum in all years. Building a den isn’t!

Our grammar school doesnt set much homework for yr 7, as they ease them into their homework pattern.

Hence my yr 4 had more homework than my yr7. I very much wish our primary didn't set homework (other than reading) as its pretty much pointless.