Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

DS is 4 - he turned 4 last month and is Pre-k.

They get weekly hw assignments sent home on Monday and need to be completed and returned on Friday.

They consist of 2-3 work sheets in which they have to practice writing their names 3 times, writing an upper and lower case letter 2 times, and then writing a number 4 times.

DS just cries, whines, throws himself onto the floor crying ' I can't do this!' 'it's to hard!' 'I don't know how' etc

It took almost 40 minutes to do 2 sheets this evening - he has 3 this week. The other one took almost a half hour on Tuesday night.

I tried to get him to calm down by changing the subject and them asking him to write one line, that started the screaming again.

I have to say I am a bit put off by the hw factor at this age. However, I understand things have changed since we went to school. It just makes me a bit worried that he is having difficulty already and we are just a month into the school year. It's the frustration that he displays that worries me more.

Last year in Nursery they 'visited' the letters and numbers. They were asked at the end of each report card semester to identify the letters/numbers they had learned already. DS was not scored on that portion of his report card because he never gave a response to the teacher when he was asked.

She wasn't worried because she said they go over all of this again in Pre-k, and that they just wanted them to be somewhat familiar. She also mentioned that he would randomly point to a letter or number on random days and name it correctly. So she wasn't sure if he knew them or if he just didn't like to be put on the spot.

DS gets embarrassed easily, and is definitely not the 'center of attention' child. He always kind of hangs back and observes before making a decision to participate.

Is there a way I can make this easier for him? I really don't want him to be turned off of school this early on. I want him to want to learn and be interested and not frustrated. I tell him all the time I am here to teach and help him so it won't be hard. I try to point to letters and numbers a few times a day so that he is familiar with them, make up associations that he would remember 'like Thomas starts with the letter 'T', sit with him and make letters or numbers with pipe cleaners...anything to make him interested and learn, but I am beginning to think I need to do more.

I know this may be jumping the gun, but the reaction tonight made me wonder if this was going to get worse as the work got harder.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

I really don't know what to say to all of this except that it is SO incredibly sad!

My son is the same age--will be turning 4 at the end of this month. He does not get ANY homework in pre-k at all this whole year. I cannot imagine hm sitting down and writing anything right now! They don't even start letters until after the holidays (and his teacher wrote the curriculum for pre-k in the Diocese of Bklyn, so it's not like she's some slacker)!

Report cards in nursery?! Nursery and pre-k aren't even mandated! What is this educational system coming to?

Anyway, I guess in your position I would take it reaaaallly slow. I wouldn't be worried about him getting it perfect at all. Maybe ask the teacher for some advice. Ooooh...I'm so angry for you! If pre-k can't be carefree, well then what ever can be?!

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

That seems very stressful to me...
DS is 4.
The teacher said last year that the majority of focus was fine motor skills.
When he gets turned off by something (like reading), we play games with sounds. To write them when he may not have the fine motor skills is just frustrating.

Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

We got the same thing last year when DD was in Pre-K. I found the best time for us to do homework was in the morning. The afternoon was always stressful for her. Maybe try another time of day? I also wouldn't push it. Start at the beginning of the week and even if he just writes his name once start there. If it makes your feel better we seem to have less hw in Kindergarten and our teacher gives a packet Monday and it's due back on Monday...much better! GL!

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Your poor child! My ds is 4 & began pre-k this year and he does not get homework. One of the parents was actually complaining to me that she wants hw for the kids & was pushing for me to ask for it too. Nope sorry lady, not asking for hw in pre-k. I haven't seen her or her child this week so I wonder if she pulled him out.

Anyway, could you do a little at a time and not all at once? Maybe spreading it out will make it seem less daunting.

Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Thank you all so much for your responses. I'm glad that I too am not alone in this and that my thinking of hw in Pre-k is absurd.

To Chai77 - What you wrote is another concern of mine. That he will just be turned off from school. Part of that stems from DH.

DH never wanted to go to school. He would cry, fight my MIL to not send him, pretend to be sick. By the time he was in HS he was cutting school every week. He eventually dropped out at 17 and got his GED. He went to work in the field he is currently employed in. While he was able to do real good for himself, he believes he could have done much better if he stayed in school and applied himself. I call him a walking calculator because he just astonishes me with his mathematical skills. He just never liked school - his words.

DH even said to me the other night - I don't want him to not like school, we have to do something. He is concerned as well.

Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

that sounds like way too much hw for a 4 year old. our pre-k hw was given on friday - due monday and it was she had to draw a picture of something that started with the letter they were doing that week. Took 15 minutes tops. I would not be happy with that much hw for a 4 year old

ETA- they did plenty of letters and number work while there. I was in no way concerned about her not getting enough practice

Message edited 10/3/2014 9:40:10 AM.

Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Did is 4 i. A 4's prek program and has hw. But a few weeks ago it was glue pics on a page all about you and this week was to bring in leaves lol.

I do not think they should have real hw for a 4 year old. That's incredibly overboard and stressful. School should be fun at this age. They still can't fully write and it is incredibly hard at this stage. They should be doing enough practice in school. Of course more practice is better but not when it's stressing them out.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Here's my advice................don't force him to do the HW. For one, Pre-K is NOT even mandatory so why even worry about Pre-K HW. And on top of that, to have ANY HW in Pre-K is utterly ridiculous. My DD didn't even have to do that much HW in Kindergarten.

I wouldn't stress him out at this age and turn him off to school. Right now in Pre-K things should fun, engaging, and NOT stressful "work". And so what if they give a "report card"?? What does that even matter in Pre-K?? It's not the like school is going to care when he starts Kindergarten that his "report card" in Pre-K wasn't good. My DD didn't even go to Pre-K and she's doing amazing in school.

At home I would just go over numbers and letters in a fun way and casually. It doesn't have to be a formal "lesson". If the Pre-K has any issue with you not doing the HW just remind them you're paying for Pre-K, it's not mandatory, and you feel that right now it's too much stress for your son at this age. Do what's in his best interest right now. Pre-K isn't going to make or break him in Kindergarten so let him just relax and enjoy it without stress.

Message edited 10/3/2014 10:10:49 AM.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Message edited 10/3/2014 10:09:53 AM.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Posted by Hofstra26

Here's my advice................don't force him to do the HW. For one, Pre-K is NOT even mandatory so why even worry about Pre-K HW. And on top of that, to have ANY HW in Pre-K is utterly ridiculous. My DD didn't even have to do that much HW in Kindergarten.

I wouldn't stress him out at this age and turn him off to school. Right now in Pre-K things should fun, engaging, and NOT stressful "work". And so what if they give a "report card"?? What does that even matter in Pre-K?? It's not the like school is going to care when he starts Kindergarten that his "report card" in Pre-K wasn't good. My DD didn't even go to Pre-K and she's doing amazing in school.

At home I would just go over numbers and letters in a fun way and casually. It doesn't have to be a formal "lesson". If the Pre-K has any issue with you not doing the HW just remind them you're paying for Pre-K, it's not mandatory, and you feel that right it's too much stress for your son at this age. Do what's in his best interest right now. Pre-K isn't going to make or break him in Kindergarten so let him just relax and enjoy it without stress.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Posted by BriBri2u

Posted by Hofstra26

Here's my advice................don't force him to do the HW. For one, Pre-K is NOT even mandatory so why even worry about Pre-K HW. And on top of that, to have ANY HW in Pre-K is utterly ridiculous. My DD didn't even have to do that much HW in Kindergarten.

I wouldn't stress him out at this age and turn him off to school. Right now in Pre-K things should fun, engaging, and NOT stressful "work". And so what if they give a "report card"?? What does that even matter in Pre-K?? It's not the like school is going to care when he starts Kindergarten that his "report card" in Pre-K wasn't good. My DD didn't even go to Pre-K and she's doing amazing in school.

At home I would just go over numbers and letters in a fun way and casually. It doesn't have to be a formal "lesson". If the Pre-K has any issue with you not doing the HW just remind them you're paying for Pre-K, it's not mandatory, and you feel that right it's too much stress for your son at this age. Do what's in his best interest right now. Pre-K isn't going to make or break him in Kindergarten so let him just relax and enjoy it without stress.

Thank you for this response.

I was thinking that I may let him do as much as he feels he can do and call it a day. If it goes back uncompleted it goes back uncompleted or vice versa. I do want him to practice though - so even if he writes the letter ONCE, I'm good.

I want to find a fun way for him to practice his letters at home - one that will NOT frustrate him so much.

I am also going to write a note to his teacher to let her know the above.

Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

my DD is in PreK as she gets hw 3 times a week. They also consist of work sheets in which they have to practice writing their names, upper and lower case and numbers. The teacher will give them a sticker each time they complete a hw assigned and when they fill up the sticker sheet, they will get a prize from a treasure chest. I thought it was a cute idea seems DD gets excited that she is getting closer and closer to getting her prize. If the teacher doesn't do this maybe you can do this with your child. Have a hw sticker chart and once that chart is complete (like after every week, month, etc.) he will receive a special prize.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Message edited 10/3/2014 10:24:20 AM.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

That is NOT the norm. Is this public or private Pre-K?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

My DD is 4 and doing the Pre K program at Tutor Time and she gets homework sent home on Friday and it's due on the following Friday.
It's pretty much coloring, cutting lines with a scissor, practicing writing her name, practicing writing the letter they are learning that week, drawing a picture of something that happened in class that week, counting things around the house etc.

It's never more than maybe 15 mintues tops and it's easy and fun for her to do with my help. She actually looks forward to it and has fun with it.

There isn't any pressure and no matter what she gets a star on it when the teacher "grades" it.

What you are describing seems a bit stressful and out of line for a 4 year old.
I'd speak to the teacher.
IMO you are probably paying good money for this program (I know I am) and IMO you should have a say in it and your son should never feel stressed or upset. I would go as far as to not have him do it. What are they going to do? Throw him out? Fail him?
Come on. These are essential babies still.
I think school is getting WAY out of hand these days.
Something needs to be done.

Message edited 10/3/2014 10:43:39 AM.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

My DD is also 4 and in pre-K. She is doing work similar to what you describe in school and for HW. However, I will say that I think the HW seems to be somewhat optional in that, I think if she had an issue with it the teacher wouldn't really care if she didn't do it. Honestly, I like the HW and so does DD. It's nice that she has real HW to do when my DS sits down and does his. She is so proud to have a work product that the teacher says and writes "great job" and gives her stickers etc. She does the HW pretty quickly and easily and enjoys it.

That said, if it was a struggle for me like what you described I would talk to the teacher about maybe holding off on HW until the winter and re-assess at that point. My guess is, she wouldn't have a problem with it. At this age it is really counter-productive to go through what you are describing - see if the teacher is ok with holding off until January-March before having him do HW.

I will say I don't necessarily agree with the others in that I do think it will be very productive and helpful for him to start HW at some point this year (even if not until the spring). K is not what it used to be - I find a child is expected to know their letters, letter sounds and writing the letters at the very least. Many kids can read and some can read well. They are developmentally able to do it so I don't think it is an unfair expectation.

But, as I said, I would talk to the teacher about waiting a few months before requiring HW.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

Seems like a lot for prek. We didn't get report cards per se but they were scored 1-3 on things like interacting with others, sitting at circle time, answering questions, identifying letters or numbers. I only saw it at parent teacher conferences. They did not call it a report card but more of a guidance to show how your child was doing (meeting the standard, not meeting the standard, exceeding the standard).

Prek my daughter had to color a weekly letter and cut out pictures related to that letter and glue them. Writing was done at school.

My kindergartener only started homework this week. It involved writing her name, a couple of numbers and coloring pictures corresponding to the number. Also a "book report" (draw a picture based on one of the books off the reading log she kept this week).

Maybe to get him into the routine and encourage him. I would suggest doing maybe 10-20 mins or playground, activity something first to get the energy out. Does he like stickers? A favorite book? If he does his homework nicely either promise him a book, a sticker or say 4 days (we don't get work Fridays) of stars you get a favorite book, or a favorite show etc to get into the routine. You can cut back as he does it with no resistance.

Re: Is this a sign of what our future in homework will be?

I didn't read through every response but I skimmed through them.

my DD is in preschool (3 year old program) and they get home work on Wednesday and its due the following Wednesday. she has to trace her name twice, she also has to write it free hand twice (though I don't think everyone gets this they give it to her cause she knows how to do it from being exposed mid year last year to pre school; January bday) and then traces the letter of the week I think 4 or 5 times. they only do capital. and she also has one worksheet where they color the circles with the letters, circles the letters than traces it.

my friend has a DS in a 4 yo pre-k class he goes 4 days a week and get a worksheet home everyday he is suppose to complete.

I don't know how much work they get in the school DD goes to in pre-k but I assume its at least what she get now if not more

I have DD do it when she wants to do it. if she isn't into it I don't push it I just let her do it another day since she has a week.

I would work with him and help him along the way. if he get frustrated take a break. are you sure its he cant do it vs he doesn't want to do it.

if he doesn't want to do it maybe you can make a sticker chart and tell him when he completes a home work he gets a sticker.

I would not pull him out; like or not K is not like it use to be and it probably just going to get harder next year. if you are really concerned with him I would seek advice from a professional and ask what you can do to help him out.