Anonymous wrote:I do about an hour and half with my 2nd grader each evening. Combo of homework, workbooks, games, computer, flash cards, etc.

Wow. That seems like a lot to me.

Anonymous wrote:This is interesting to me. My DD starts KG this year and I want to help her in any way. How do you all supplement? Workbooks? The one PP says she does an hour and a half every night? Is that all at once? Aren't the kids exhausted from school?

I'm the OP. Originally I started supplementing after school, but I felt that the boys just wanted to relax and play at that time. Since their school has a late start time, mornings work well for us. For math, I have generally used a workbook, but at times have had them use an online math program. They also read about 2-3 years above grade level and it doesn't seem that they have much in their classrooms that are on their reading level. So to compensate, I have them read to me for about 20 minutes a day from a basal that's at their reading level.

This is interesting to me. My DD starts KG this year and I want to help her in any way. How do you all supplement? Workbooks? The one PP says she does an hour and a half every night? Is that all at once? Aren't the kids exhausted from school?

I think you are doing a good job.

Sounds wonderful OP!

That's great. Keep it up. I wish more parents were like you.

I do about an hour and half with my 2nd grader each evening. Combo of homework, workbooks, games, computer, flash cards, etc.

We are talking about education not home economics.

To OP: Don't get to caught up in whether, you are doing workbooks with your child, singing to your child, doing science experiments, building structures or reading to your child. Most unseasoned parents fail to understand the most important element this equation is spending the one-on-one time with your child on mutually enjoyable activities. That activity will depend on your race, gender, religion, culture, philosophy, educational level, resources and where you reside on the globe. Some on these boards do not like workbooks and think it is bad and damaging to children. Therefore, all people should not like workbooks because it is bad and damaging for the child.

Utter "bible thumping" nonsense.

We do the same sort of thing except not before school and not with workbooks because I think they get a lot of that as it is. I don't think you sound like a tiger mom.

I commend you for spending time with your children before school working on reading and math. When they are late teenagers and out of the roast, they will cherish you for that hour you are spending with them over what is important. Guaranteed. Keep it up since you will not have many years the life cycle of your children to spend this time. The appreciation, like interest, will compound over time.

I should also add that the math workbook we use focuses on a lot of critical thinking skills, not just drill (although I do think some drill is important!) Other than that they read stories from an online reading program that has material geared for their reading level, and I read non-fiction science and social studies books to them as well.

They do get enough sleep. Their school doesn't start until after 9. They don't love it, but they don't fight it either. At this point it's just a normal part of their routine that they go along with although there are other things they would rather be doing. Much like chores or piano practice are for other kids. What I focus on while teaching them changes from time to time, but they are both excelling at school so I think that I'm doing alright.

I think an hour is a little extreme. Especially if they are fighting it (you don't say whether they love or hate it). Are they getting enough sleep?

I do think some supplementation is necessary, especially depending on how math is taught. Various new math curricula aren't stressing things like the memorization of multiplication tables, etc.

However, learning stuff by rote isn't the be-all, end-all. I hope you are teaching critical thinking/problem solving skills, as well as resilience. Those are the skills that will help them shine in higher level classes (and life). Not just stuffing their heads with data.

I'm a former teacher with two elementary aged boys. Education is very, very important to me and I'm a big believer in supplementing my kids' education at home. Generally I do this by having them spend an hour in the mornings before school working on math and reading skills usually by having them play computer games, workbooks, and reading aloud to me. My kids get plenty of time to just hand out and play; and yes I let them watch TV and have playdates.