Homework in Kindergarten is ridiculous!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

I think some of the parents who are insistent that ven a little HW is developmentally inappropriate for K will simply redshirt their boys in protest of the "overly academic" nature of kindergarten--problem solved. /s

Indeed, problem solved. If a parent of an especially wiggly late summer/fall birthday boy know that the local K inflicts 30 minutes of homework a night, then that's a great reason to redshirt. Developmentally inappropriate expectations will result in parents making choices for their child such as opting out of homework or redshirting.

I really can't tell whether you're being serious or not.

I'm absolutely serious! The expectations of K, including homework, are usually one of the good reasons parents redshirt or consider redshirting.

No, I don't think so. I think that most people redshirt due to potty training issues and problems sitting still during circle time, as well as, social immaturity.

What you describe actually sounds like the more severe end of justifications for redshirting. And obviously, if you have a 5 year old who isn't fully potty trained and can't sit during circle time, a K program that expects 30 mins/homework a night is going to add to the rationale for redshirting.

A lot of times that severe end does boil down to immaturity, though. Give the kid 6 months and he's potty trained, sitting in circle time and playing with the other kids. Of course it could also be a sign of a significant developmental issue which would greatly benefit from intervention - the earlier the better.

Parents who make the decision to redshirt because they want to give their kid some sort of an edge over the other kindergartners in the class are.......ummm...misguided.

Holding a kid back because the parent doesn't want to deal with reading logs, worksheets and busywork is also a bit out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

I think some of the parents who are insistent that ven a little HW is developmentally inappropriate for K will simply redshirt their boys in protest of the "overly academic" nature of kindergarten--problem solved. /s

Indeed, problem solved. If a parent of an especially wiggly late summer/fall birthday boy know that the local K inflicts 30 minutes of homework a night, then that's a great reason to redshirt. Developmentally inappropriate expectations will result in parents making choices for their child such as opting out of homework or redshirting.

I really can't tell whether you're being serious or not.

I'm absolutely serious! The expectations of K, including homework, are usually one of the good reasons parents redshirt or consider redshirting.

No, I don't think so. I think that most people redshirt due to potty training issues and problems sitting still during circle time, as well as, social immaturity.

What you describe actually sounds like the more severe end of justifications for redshirting. And obviously, if you have a 5 year old who isn't fully potty trained and can't sit during circle time, a K program that expects 30 mins/homework a night is going to add to the rationale for redshirting.

A lot of times that severe end does boil down to immaturity, though. Give the kid 6 months and he's potty trained, sitting in circle time and playing with the other kids. Of course it could also be a sign of a significant developmental issue which would greatly benefit from intervention - the earlier the better.

Parents who make the decision to redshirt because they want to give their kid some sort of an edge over the other kindergartners in the class are.......ummm...misguided.

Holding a kid back because the parent doesn't want to deal with reading logs, worksheets and busywork is also a bit out there.

Are you confusing preschoolers with kindergarteners? If you have a 5 year old that isn't potty trained, that's a huge issue, not just "immaturity."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

So because the demands of Kindergarten are excessive, we should place even more demands on kids through homework? Do you have any evidence to support the idea that homework improves classroom behavior in Kindergarten? Kids get plenty of practice following directions and doing worksheets in class. There's no need to follow that up at home. Plus, home and the classroom are two totally different settings for following rules and completing work.

I agree. The person who wrote the sleep/goldfish analogy sounds like a public school teacher. They have so many demands on them and need kids to show progress and be managed. It doesn’t matter that research doesn’t show it’s helpful because teachers don’t get to decide the curriculum or standards and perhaps the policy of HW. The kids are doing this stuff everyday. They don’t need additional practice at home. Y

I wrote the goldfish/sleep analogy. No, I am not a school teacher.

I can only say that I saw the benefits of having a little homework when my own kids were in Kindergarten. If your experience has been different from mine then you should do what is best for your child.

Most Kindergarten teachers are pretty flexible about homework from what I've seen. It's pretty optional, not an expectation at all.

[Anonymous]

Mom who did hw with kids all alone- dad did not help. We made it work. It taught them discipline. I expected the h.w. neat or I made them do it over. They could read fluently by pk-4. Snack, hw then t.v. or playtime. By 1st, they were independent and I only checked it. The teachers praised in class work as well as hw They were upset if they thought they wouldn't get to finish it on time. I find it a white vs. non white issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

I think some of the parents who are insistent that ven a little HW is developmentally inappropriate for K will simply redshirt their boys in protest of the "overly academic" nature of kindergarten--problem solved. /s

Indeed, problem solved. If a parent of an especially wiggly late summer/fall birthday boy know that the local K inflicts 30 minutes of homework a night, then that's a great reason to redshirt. Developmentally inappropriate expectations will result in parents making choices for their child such as opting out of homework or redshirting.

I really can't tell whether you're being serious or not.

I'm absolutely serious! The expectations of K, including homework, are usually one of the good reasons parents redshirt or consider redshirting.

No, I don't think so. I think that most people redshirt due to potty training issues and problems sitting still during circle time, as well as, social immaturity.

What you describe actually sounds like the more severe end of justifications for redshirting. And obviously, if you have a 5 year old who isn't fully potty trained and can't sit during circle time, a K program that expects 30 mins/homework a night is going to add to the rationale for redshirting.

A lot of times that severe end does boil down to immaturity, though. Give the kid 6 months and he's potty trained, sitting in circle time and playing with the other kids. Of course it could also be a sign of a significant developmental issue which would greatly benefit from intervention - the earlier the better.

Parents who make the decision to redshirt because they want to give their kid some sort of an edge over the other kindergartners in the class are.......ummm...misguided.

Holding a kid back because the parent doesn't want to deal with reading logs, worksheets and busywork is also a bit out there.

Are you confusing preschoolers with kindergarteners? If you have a 5 year old that isn't potty trained, that's a huge issue, not just "immaturity."

I have seen kids really dig in their heels and refuse to potty train before. It's not because they can't be potty trained, it's a battle wills between them and their parent. If the kid also happens to be a late summer/fall bday they might also be a bit socially immature and not motivated to use the potty. It can indeed seem like a mighty huge issue in a kid that is otherwise kindergarten ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really sure why it's the schools fault that you don't get more time with your kids in the evenings because you don't get home until 6.

This.

OP here. Please elaborate. I have a job. I would love to be an heiress but alas, that is not my lot in life. I think it's normal to work to put food on the table, a roof over your head is it not? And if this is in reference to having two working parents - I'm afraid that's far and away the norm these days. Most, us included, have no other way of making ends meet.

Please spare us the guilt trip. Nobody is ragging on two working parent families. All I'm saying is that at some point your kid is going to have homework and if your excuse is that you only get 2 hours a night with them due to your work schedule then what are you going to do later in their school career when not doing homework is detrimental to their academic career? You're blaming the school for not catering to your work/home schedule which is completely unrealistic. You need to adjust your schedules--not expect the school to adjust their expectations of your child.

NP, and I haven't yet read the next 11 pages worth of discussion.
Obviously, like most of us, OP cannot adjust their schedule. I know, I know, you'd just like to let her eat cake. I'd wager that a large chunk of DC area families gets home at 6pm.
Obviously, when OP's kid reaches 2nd grade, they'll do their homework in after-care or at home at night, and this will not be an issue.
A kindergartner cannot do *anything* without the assistance of an adult, except perhaps go potty. A kindergartner is *way more tired* and difficult at 6pm than a second grader. The impacts of K HW and 2nd grade HW on a family's time are hugely different. So spare us the "excuses excuses" and "blame shifting" BS you're throwing at OP. Their concern is completely legitimate.

[Anonymous]

I don't really have a strong opinion on homework in KG one way or another. I'll throw out there that our DD who is now in 1st grade loved homework in KG (although she didn't get much) and has been telling us that she wants more of it in 1st grade already. We told her to talk to her teacher about it if she is serious.

Kids are different. Families are different. If the situation in your child's classroom is not working for your child and your family, sounds like you should talk to the teacher. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mom who did hw with kids all alone- dad did not help. We made it work. It taught them discipline. I expected the h.w. neat or I made them do it over. They could read fluently by pk-4. Snack, hw then t.v. or playtime. By 1st, they were independent and I only checked it. The teachers praised in class work as well as hw They were upset if they thought they wouldn't get to finish it on time. I find it a white vs. non white issue.

Similar experience here, except (immigrant) dad is in charge of HW most days, while I'm in charge of musical instrument practice. HW must be done properly, not rushed through. He'll come up with HW if none assigned. Agree about the cultural aspects--refusing to do HW is more of a white affluent American thing--not all in this group, but definitely a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom who did hw with kids all alone- dad did not help. We made it work. It taught them discipline. I expected the h.w. neat or I made them do it over. They could read fluently by pk-4. Snack, hw then t.v. or playtime. By 1st, they were independent and I only checked it. The teachers praised in class work as well as hw They were upset if they thought they wouldn't get to finish it on time. I find it a white vs. non white issue.

Similar experience here, except (immigrant) dad is in charge of HW most days, while I'm in charge of musical instrument practice. HW must be done properly, not rushed through. He'll come up with HW if none assigned. Agree about the cultural aspects--refusing to do HW is more of a white affluent American thing--not all in this group, but definitely a few.

With a high correlation with people who say they to disdain standardized testing, but use low scores as a reason to rule out schools or neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom who did hw with kids all alone- dad did not help. We made it work. It taught them discipline. I expected the h.w. neat or I made them do it over. They could read fluently by pk-4. Snack, hw then t.v. or playtime. By 1st, they were independent and I only checked it. The teachers praised in class work as well as hw They were upset if they thought they wouldn't get to finish it on time. I find it a white vs. non white issue.

Similar experience here, except (immigrant) dad is in charge of HW most days, while I'm in charge of musical instrument practice. HW must be done properly, not rushed through. He'll come up with HW if none assigned. Agree about the cultural aspects--refusing to do HW is more of a white affluent American thing--not all in this group, but definitely a few.

Not just Americans. We are immigrants from Germany and I agree with OP that homework in K is ridiculous. In Germany, kids don't even go to school until first grade. Our "Kindergarten" (all daycare prior to first grade) is purely play-based. And still Germany is doing pretty well, and German high schoolers (last I checked) do well compared to Americans. So I certainly believe the studies that say that homework in Kindergarten will not make a difference with regard to long-term achievement. But more power to you if you feel that you are improving your kids' lives by imposing homework discipline early on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

So because the demands of Kindergarten are excessive, we should place even more demands on kids through homework? Do you have any evidence to support the idea that homework improves classroom behavior in Kindergarten? Kids get plenty of practice following directions and doing worksheets in class. There's no need to follow that up at home. Plus, home and the classroom are two totally different settings for following rules and completing work.

I agree. The person who wrote the sleep/goldfish analogy sounds like a public school teacher. They have so many demands on them and need kids to show progress and be managed. It doesn’t matter that research doesn’t show it’s helpful because teachers don’t get to decide the curriculum or standards and perhaps the policy of HW. The kids are doing this stuff everyday. They don’t need additional practice at home. Y

I wrote the goldfish/sleep analogy. No, I am not a school teacher.

I can only say that I saw the benefits of having a little homework when my own kids were in Kindergarten. If your experience has been different from mine then you should do what is best for your child.

Most Kindergarten teachers are pretty flexible about homework from what I've seen. It's pretty optional, not an expectation at all.

So I think the issue hear is that it’s not optional. Teachers told parents that it’s mandatory and part of the grade. That’s kinda crazy and I wouldn’t listen to it if it was a huge burden for my kid/family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

I think some of the parents who are insistent that ven a little HW is developmentally inappropriate for K will simply redshirt their boys in protest of the "overly academic" nature of kindergarten--problem solved. /s

Indeed, problem solved. If a parent of an especially wiggly late summer/fall birthday boy know that the local K inflicts 30 minutes of homework a night, then that's a great reason to redshirt. Developmentally inappropriate expectations will result in parents making choices for their child such as opting out of homework or redshirting.

I really can't tell whether you're being serious or not.

I'm absolutely serious! The expectations of K, including homework, are usually one of the good reasons parents redshirt or consider redshirting.

No, I don't think so. I think that most people redshirt due to potty training issues and problems sitting still during circle time, as well as, social immaturity.

What you describe actually sounds like the more severe end of justifications for redshirting. And obviously, if you have a 5 year old who isn't fully potty trained and can't sit during circle time, a K program that expects 30 mins/homework a night is going to add to the rationale for redshirting.

A lot of times that severe end does boil down to immaturity, though. Give the kid 6 months and he's potty trained, sitting in circle time and playing with the other kids. Of course it could also be a sign of a significant developmental issue which would greatly benefit from intervention - the earlier the better.

Parents who make the decision to redshirt because they want to give their kid some sort of an edge over the other kindergartners in the class are.......ummm...misguided.

Holding a kid back because the parent doesn't want to deal with reading logs, worksheets and busywork is also a bit out there.

Are you confusing preschoolers with kindergarteners? If you have a 5 year old that isn't potty trained, that's a huge issue, not just "immaturity."

I have seen kids really dig in their heels and refuse to potty train before. It's not because they can't be potty trained, it's a battle wills between them and their parent. If the kid also happens to be a late summer/fall bday they might also be a bit socially immature and not motivated to use the potty. It can indeed seem like a mighty huge issue in a kid that is otherwise kindergarten ready.

Not to make this post about redshirting, but we delayed kindergarten for my very late September birthday child and a reason was that I didn’t want DC doing HW and so many worksheets/busy work at 4 and as a young 5. It wasn’t the only reason, but was one of them and I don’t think it’s misguided. Honestly I feel as though I have DC a kindergarten last year similar to the one I had (mostly play with play based academic) last year in a private preK and what DC is doing now is a lot like my 1st grade... so the HW doesn’t seem like a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom who did hw with kids all alone- dad did not help. We made it work. It taught them discipline. I expected the h.w. neat or I made them do it over. They could read fluently by pk-4. Snack, hw then t.v. or playtime. By 1st, they were independent and I only checked it. The teachers praised in class work as well as hw They were upset if they thought they wouldn't get to finish it on time. I find it a white vs. non white issue.

Similar experience here, except (immigrant) dad is in charge of HW most days, while I'm in charge of musical instrument practice. HW must be done properly, not rushed through. He'll come up with HW if none assigned. Agree about the cultural aspects--refusing to do HW is more of a white affluent American thing--not all in this group, but definitely a few.

Not just Americans. We are immigrants from Germany and I agree with OP that homework in K is ridiculous. In Germany, kids don't even go to school until first grade. Our "Kindergarten" (all daycare prior to first grade) is purely play-based. And still Germany is doing pretty well, and German high schoolers (last I checked) do well compared to Americans. So I certainly believe the studies that say that homework in Kindergarten will not make a difference with regard to long-term achievement. But more power to you if you feel that you are improving your kids' lives by imposing homework discipline early on.

To cite a pro-hw cultural example. My family members in India definitely have homework at age 5 abd are doing rigorous math at a much earlier age -- school is more challenging. And as a result the country produces millions of mathematically proficient engineers, some of whom end up here on HIB visas, which are specifically intended to fill jobs in the case qhere the company cant find an American to fill it. So i tend to think this trend towards more rigor may be a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom who did hw with kids all alone- dad did not help. We made it work. It taught them discipline. I expected the h.w. neat or I made them do it over. They could read fluently by pk-4. Snack, hw then t.v. or playtime. By 1st, they were independent and I only checked it. The teachers praised in class work as well as hw They were upset if they thought they wouldn't get to finish it on time. I find it a white vs. non white issue.

Similar experience here, except (immigrant) dad is in charge of HW most days, while I'm in charge of musical instrument practice. HW must be done properly, not rushed through. He'll come up with HW if none assigned. Agree about the cultural aspects--refusing to do HW is more of a white affluent American thing--not all in this group, but definitely a few.

Not just Americans. We are immigrants from Germany and I agree with OP that homework in K is ridiculous. In Germany, kids don't even go to school until first grade. Our "Kindergarten" (all daycare prior to first grade) is purely play-based. And still Germany is doing pretty well, and German high schoolers (last I checked) do well compared to Americans. So I certainly believe the studies that say that homework in Kindergarten will not make a difference with regard to long-term achievement. But more power to you if you feel that you are improving your kids' lives by imposing homework discipline early on.

To cite a pro-hw cultural example. My family members in India definitely have homework at age 5 abd are doing rigorous math at a much earlier age -- school is more challenging. And as a result the country produces millions of mathematically proficient engineers, some of whom end up here on HIB visas, which are specifically intended to fill jobs in the case qhere the company cant find an American to fill it. So i tend to think this trend towards more rigor may be a good thing.

Er, companies use H1B visas because the foreigners will work for lower salaries, not because Americans can’t do the jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all have our struggles with our kids. Some might be severely picky eaters who only want to eat Goldfish crackers for breakfast/lunch/dinner. That doesn't mean that they don't need a more varied diet, though.

Some kids are terrible sleepers. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't benefit from a good night's sleep.

Some kids have a harder time with impulse control. That doesn't mean that hitting their siblings is acceptable.

I get that homework is not an easy thing for all young kids. But in full day kindergarten kids are going to be doing worksheets, crafts and other activities that will require them to sit still and follow multi-step directions. Kids who have had little to no practice following multi-step instructions are usually going to have a harder time than kids who have had some practice at home.

If you doubt me, volunteer in a K class sometime.

So because the demands of Kindergarten are excessive, we should place even more demands on kids through homework? Do you have any evidence to support the idea that homework improves classroom behavior in Kindergarten? Kids get plenty of practice following directions and doing worksheets in class. There's no need to follow that up at home. Plus, home and the classroom are two totally different settings for following rules and completing work.

I agree. The person who wrote the sleep/goldfish analogy sounds like a public school teacher. They have so many demands on them and need kids to show progress and be managed. It doesn’t matter that research doesn’t show it’s helpful because teachers don’t get to decide the curriculum or standards and perhaps the policy of HW. The kids are doing this stuff everyday. They don’t need additional practice at home. Y

I wrote the goldfish/sleep analogy. No, I am not a school teacher.

I can only say that I saw the benefits of having a little homework when my own kids were in Kindergarten. If your experience has been different from mine then you should do what is best for your child.

Most Kindergarten teachers are pretty flexible about homework from what I've seen. It's pretty optional, not an expectation at all.

So I think the issue hear is that it’s not optional. Teachers told parents that it’s mandatory and part of the grade. That’s kinda crazy and I wouldn’t listen to it if it was a huge burden for my kid/family.

Grade in K? Who cares? OP needs to take her/his concerns to the teacher rather than grumbling with the other parents. Have the courage of her/his convictions.