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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Worried Reception child is behind/too much homework

98 replies

Headisbusting · 23/12/2021 09:00

My eldest is in reception and I'm worried she is really behind her peers.
Given the level of homework set I can only assume her peers are much further ahead.

This is what my child work is like, is this what your child gets home and are they confident with it?

Each week homework is set to practice 5/6 new words blend the sounds to read the word, spell the word out and to write the word. While practicing the previous words from previous week's and all letters/sounds. Plus she also brings home 2 books which get changed twice weekly. One of these books is her me to read to her and the other for her to read to me.

It seems a lot of homework especially since she doesn't finish school until 3.30 and I have another younger child..by time we get home from school i have to press on with homework straight away, even when she doesn't want to, then I'm making dinner, tidy up, with little time spare to spend free time together before bath and bed. Some nights we see grandparents/they do pick up or might go a walk or shops etc so can't fit it all in.
I dread after school now, if we don't try do some homework straight away she unwinds and is too tired to do it. But with a younger kids it's hard to have 1 on 1 time to do it.

The books she is supposed to read to me she finds so difficult.she refuses to even look so often get changed without us opening it.

She is really good at recognising the sound of a letter but can't blend letters to make a word. Teachers are writing in her book she needs help to blend and I've been saying she struggles with it but homework wise it seems they are powering on.

I asked to go back to unit 1 on the books with mostly 2letter words with short sentences, they agreed sent it home once the went back to where the class is at. She can't blend two letter words but is expected to read books with 3 sometimes 4 letter words in sentences up to 6 words.

I should add my child is still only 4.

Sorry for long post trying to put in all the info, is this what reception homework is like for your child?

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Original poster

Headisbusting · 09/01/2022 10:57

Thanks again everyone.. I've read all messages and took everyone views in.
DC went back to school last Weds, had a few days homework free, then last night
the message came out with this coming weeks homework...
Now has every sound in alphabet to practice, then 5 words to blend, then spell and then write out all to be done 4 times per week as before, however now has a 6 word sentence to be written out in addition to the above and the two reading books per week.
Along with a reminder to upload photos of them doing said work.

OP posts:

MyOtherProfile · 09/01/2022 12:04

I would find out what other parents think and then go talk to the head. This is so much pressure for reception.

inthewest · 09/01/2022 13:08

We send a book each week, and send home a letter a week to write, and a tricky word to work on. We also set optional work online if parents want a bit more. We've hit a good balance because I've had parents complain it's too much and too little in the same day.

It's common for many children to not be blending at this point and many children fly after learning to blend. I recommend parents speak to their children in sounds "go and get your sh-oo-z and your h-a-t" to get them doing it orally before linking the blending with sound recognition.

simonisnotme · 09/01/2022 16:17

that sounds a lot
our head keeps saying that some of our reception kids are 'behind' and should be writing sentences and adding numbers up to twenty
which is not what they should be doing at this stage especially after having so much time off due to covid
she has no bloody clue just wants us to push the kids to be better than our 'linked' school

Original poster

Headisbusting · 09/01/2022 22:53

I feel so anxious about her being in school.. I feel worried sick about year1 despite it being 9months away.

OP posts:

Rainallnight · 09/01/2022 22:59

I think you might be focusing on the wrong thing. I’d be less concerned about the overall amount of homework (though I do agree it’s too much) and much more concerned about the fact that what they give her doesn’t seem to match her abilities at all, and they’re not responsive to you raising that.

You need to meet the teacher and get a clear plan put in place for how they’re going to support her.

Parker231 · 09/01/2022 23:06

All sounds way too much - reception is play. She is going to end up hating school. DT’s went to after school club and we didn’t get home until 6 -6.30 each night. The only ‘homework’ they did was us read to them most nights.

Learning is for during the school day - sounds like the school is struggling to manage the day properly.

(Btw - DT’s left school with all A’s at GCSE and A levels and both got 1st class degrees)

Original poster

Headisbusting · 10/01/2022 13:34

@Rainallnight I'm probably not coming across to well my concern is the volume of work she can't do. It's everything I'm not happy with.

@Parker231 during Dec DC was starting to pull back and not want to do. I ask about what they did during the day but it does seem like its mostly play. So I wonder if they are expecting us to do the learning.

OP posts:

Parker231 · 10/01/2022 13:41

In Reception they are learning via play.

Indecisivelurcher · 10/01/2022 13:53

I havent rtft sorry so others may have covered. My 4yo ds is reading well already but my older Dd absolutely wasn't at that age. They are all different. It doesn't mean your dc is behind.

At my dc's school the only homework is reading so yours does sound a bit much. I don't really agree with doing more set homework for primary school children and would absolutely say as much to the teacher and be' that parent' if I needed to. But i do think that supporting their learning at home is critical. That might sound like a contradiction.

What I mean is I wouldn't do worksheets or handwriting practice, but for example I would put flour in a baking tray and practice letter formation. Or do a 'dough disco' from YouTube to help hand strength. My Dd is not a natural born reader, I've had to find other ways to try to help her learn rather than picking up actual books. She's very stubborn and cantankerous (or persistent and knows her mind ha ha) and I had to get her to learn by stealth and in fun ways, especially during lockdowns as she would point blank refuse to do school work. In your shoes I would do ten minutes a night, maybe AFTER tea so she's had a break first, and make it fun / alternative to let's read your book.

Use ideas from the Internet. I liked these Facebook/Instagram pages - phonics family, five minute mum, mums school of fun. Also the apps hairy phonics and later when she starts to get blending, teach your monster to read.

Original poster

Headisbusting · 10/01/2022 21:46

@Indecisivelurcher i 100% agree with what you have written. I want to be involved in my dc's learning. I want them to be the best of themselves and be encouraged to enjoy learning. However we as parents are expected to take photos of them going homework and send it in on app the school uses. the reading books we have to write up a comment on it when we read it in a reading journal with lives in her schoolbag and goes to school daily. Between younger DC, getting home around 3.40ish, dinner prep, eating and the clean up, baths, playtime/family time plus the amount of set homework (not in that order) its hard to find time to do little activities too. I guess I wasn't expecting school to take up so much time at home, i feel so busy now

OP posts:

Indecisivelurcher · 10/01/2022 21:53

@Headisbusting i understand, but really what are the repurcussions of not doing it?! Not doing the set work, not taking the photos and submitting them?! There won't be any I don't think. Especially if you tell school you won't be doing it. I haven't had this over homework but I did have this while homeschooling during lockdown. One day I sent in a photo of my Dd crying over a worksheet and said we're not doing them anymore. The teacher rang me and was supportive, she said they set the work because they have to but if it wasn't working for my Dd, do it a different way or do something different. You might find the same. Good luck!

Indecisivelurcher · 10/01/2022 21:54

Just to explain I meant sack off the homework and do the little activities instead. Not do it on top.

HotPenguin · 10/01/2022 21:59

That sounds ridiculous, my son is in y1 and we have never bothered doing the homework apart from his reading book. At our school it's kind of optional and I think they only provide it to keep the pushy parents quiet. My son is at above expected level in reading and maths in spite of never having done homework. At this age it's more important to encourage love of learning. If they enjoy reading they will choose to do it themselves.

massiveblob · 11/01/2022 00:02

The words reception and homework never belong in the same sentence..unless the sentence is 'reception children are too young for homework'
It's EYFS. It's intro to school. It's play based. It's a bit of reading picture books.
Ignore anything else

massiveblob · 11/01/2022 00:05

[quote Headisbusting]@Indecisivelurcher i 100% agree with what you have written. I want to be involved in my dc's learning. I want them to be the best of themselves and be encouraged to enjoy learning. However we as parents are expected to take photos of them going homework and send it in on app the school uses. the reading books we have to write up a comment on it when we read it in a reading journal with lives in her schoolbag and goes to school daily. Between younger DC, getting home around 3.40ish, dinner prep, eating and the clean up, baths, playtime/family time plus the amount of set homework (not in that order) its hard to find time to do little activities too. I guess I wasn't expecting school to take up so much time at home, i feel so busy now[/quote]
Take a photo of DC reading and upload. Takes 2 mins. All they actually want it to know you are generally on board

massiveblob · 11/01/2022 00:07

Re comments in reading journal. I used to write 'DD enjoyed this. DD thought this was boring etc. Again takes two mins. Don't overthink it all

FilterFrog · 11/01/2022 08:05

It does sound a lot but I think there are ways of engaging with the homework without making it into a mountain.

Now has every sound in alphabet to practice, then 5 words to blend, then spell and then write out all to be done 4 times per week as before, however now has a 6 word sentence to be written out in addition to the above and the two reading books per week.

You said they’re already quite good at recognising phonemes - so you don’t have to really do that bit. Maybe just practice the sounds they’re doing that week.
The blending and selling can be done quickly and in the car/bath etc. Sound out the words for them to blend and then ask them to ‘test’ you by doing the same. Maybe once or twice a week get them to try and write the words in bubbles on the side of the bath or similar.
Make an executive decision that they’re not ready for writing the whole sentences yet.

Then spend 5 - 10 mins doing reading every other night. Schools are supposed to give out books that match the phonics being taught in class, but annoyingly by the time they get on to digraphs and trigrapghs these books can get a bit wordy for some children. Ask the teacher to give you a sentence strip that allows him to practise reading the new sounds without being over faced with the bigger books. And then ask for the second book to reflect his reading/blending stamina.

Good luck!

guardiansofthegalaxychocs · 11/01/2022 08:15

I’m an ex reception teacher. This seems quite a lot but as important is that it’s not helping her as it’s not differentiated.

I’d stop the writing
write and say you are concerned they don’t appear to be differentiating and you won’t be doing any homework from now on that’s clearly too difficult.

Parker231 · 11/01/2022 08:17

Primary, in particular Reception should not be doing homework. Learning should be fun and done during the school day. Sounds like this teacher isn’t managing the day properly and isn’t covering the material they should.

MissAhmed93 · 11/01/2022 12:59

I am a primary school teacher and I teach Reception! I’m happy to help with anyone if you want to ask me.. Or I have a YouTube channel with videos of things you can do with your children

MissAhmed93 · 11/01/2022 13:13

Don’t feel anxious! Children at that age learn the most through play.. it’s important to use simple tasks as learning activities and not over do it and put any pressure on yourself! It will be fine :)

MissAhmed93 · 11/01/2022 13:17

You would be surprised with how easy it is to make everything into learning activities! I have a YouTube channel that helps with learning at home :)

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