Update in OP : Email the Director or simply decline homework folder?

[kwynn]

Not a parent - but is this daycare or a preschool? Do they get a "grade" of any sort/recommendation to pass/move on to the next level?

If this is daycare, yeah, nope. Not doing that.

If it's a preschool in a school, I might be more inclined to do some at home practice.

[emisi]

Homework at THREE? Hell no. That's ridiculous. She's going to make the kids hate school.

[dutchgirl678]

I thought homework in Kindergarten was excessive when my kid started it. No way would I have let her do homework in preschool. Why do 3-year olds need this? I would just talk to the director and refuse. They have plenty of time to be doing homework, now is not the time to start.

[akayf]

3 sheets of writing is developmentally inappropriate for that age.

[orriskitten]

I think it's a bit too much, but I'd likely take the packets if my kid should become interested. Not as assignments to be handed in, though. My DD (who is 3.5) has been showing some interest in things like identifying letters and telling time. They might be nice to have on hand for IF they show interest, but not a "do your homework" kind of thing. Extra tools to help an interested kid never hurt.

I'd definitely want to discuss it with a director, though, like you said about there being passive parents. This is too much stress for a 3 year old!

[marriedfilingjoint]

Sept 16, 2015 1:58:14 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Yeah we aren't doing it. I'm mad at myself for even attempting but I wonder which will have the most impact without being a total Dick. I've been vocal about other situations at this daycare before which is why I kind of want to just say no thanks. But none of these kids should be getting homework and I kind of want to burn it down for those who have passive parents

Yeah, please speak up.  If you have otherwise enjoyed your time with this daycare, I would try to be very "I'm on your team, but" about it.  For instance, "I'm glad the new teacher is so enthusiastic about writing skills for the kids, but I'm very concerned that this is not age-appropriate homework and there is substantial research supporting after-school time being reserved for play and family time."

If you're for sure going to Bright Horizons, though, I'd say what you said above.  

[irishbride2]

Worksheets are not developmentally appropriate at all. Even in K, dd has homework but not worksheets. For example, last nights homework was to take three containers in our kitchen and then she had to line then up from biggest to smallest. We then used water to confirm volume and she reordered them correctly.

Homework should be, at this age, a way for kids to connnect what they learn at school to their outside life. Homework at 2 is ridiculous anyway.

[IIOY]

I'm as tiger mom as they come and even I'm raising my eyebrows. Aside from developmental issues, you do not want to start your child's lengthy educational journey teaching him that homework is a miserable, tear-drenched battle. Definitely speak up. Things don't change if parents don't say something.

My son is a lefty as well. It's definitely an added layer of complexity.

[josieposy]

My 4 year old DDs get a one-page (optional) worksheet per week. I'd definitely say what you have is excessive.

[AJL]

No. This is nonsense. My daughter is 4.5 and in the Pre-K class in a private preschool. There is zero homework. There is no need for homework at 3.5/4. The only thing even remotely academic that we do is read to her.

I would decline the homework flat out.

[laurenpetro]

Lolno. I would not pressure my 3 year old over fake homework.

[summer]

I'm still trying to figure out why kids need to be reading and writing by age 4.

[bronxgirl]

Homework in general is inappropriate at this age and the specific activities you mentioned are completely developmentally inappropriate and can do more harm than good, as you've already mentioned. This concerns me that the teacher knows so little about child development. I think it's great that you're speaking up, not only for your kid, but for those whose parents won't push back.

[cap]

Homework in preschool is stupid and unnecessary. I'd talk to the director, because she might not know what's going on.

[redheadbaker]

Hell no. I'd say something, for the other kids as well as your own.

[jln]

My son is the same age and in preschool. He doesn't get homework besides the family picture page we did the first week. They have curriculum at school including writing and STEM but it's mostly play-based activities.

I would ask the director what they hope to accomplish by assigning these worksheets and go from there.

[heyjude]

This is terrible!!

I would consider a new school.

There is so so so so much research right now that says the best way to get young kids on a path to learning is PLAY based learning.

What this teacher is doing is counterproductive to actual learning.

Uhg!!!!

[redwino]

I would say something. This is completely developmentally inappropriate.

[calmcosmo]

So frustrating.

Anybody with an educational background knows that this is developmentally inappropriate and that play is the best thing for preschool ages kids.

Sadly, many parents in the "race to nowhere" pressure preschools to be more academic. I was on the board at my kids' play based preschool (the director was old school and a huge and unapologetic advocate of play based learning) and we lost families because we didn't give homework or guarantee reading/writing.

So while the market demands this complete nonsense, the market will supply it. It's unfortunate.

[marriedfilingjoint]

Sept 16, 2015 5:25:40 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Sept 16, 2015 4:45:35 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

Yeah, please speak up.  If you have otherwise enjoyed your time with this daycare, I would try to be very "I'm on your team, but" about it.  For instance, "I'm glad the new teacher is so enthusiastic about writing skills for the kids, but I'm very concerned that this is not age-appropriate homework and there is substantial research supporting after-school time being reserved for play and family time."

If you're for sure going to Bright Horizons, though, I'd say what you said above.  

I love this daycare. I've had friends who had several kids in this daycare. None of them had homework at 3.

I really don't want to do BH. It's at my job, it's more expensive it would put pick up and drop off on me and DS would spend more time in the car. Also there is probably space for DS but not DD at the BH so we'd have to split them up.

I will definitely use the more measured approach.

I hear you, we love our daycare, too, but my daughter has come home from school saying some weird things and I've spoken to her teacher about it (super young, straight out of school) and she's been very receptive.  She knows we love her so she doesn't feel like I'm beating her up, just you know, sharing a different perspective.  And that my perspective is right.  I hope your concerns are taken seriously.

[hopecounts]

Sept 16, 2015 6:51:55 GMT -5 summer said:

I'm still trying to figure out why kids need to be reading and writing by age 4.

I know, it's ridiculous. 
Reading is a skill that comes around 6-7 yrs old, forcing it on a 4 yr old is insane.
Now you will have the occasional 4/5 yr old who is an early reader but MOST kids aren't going to be reading until they are a bit older and that is NORMAL. 
this insane expectations drive me crazy.

[Elsa]

I would approach it like mentioned above- and then if there is no response, or a response you don't like, I'd actually say something like "I'm really concerned about the fact that our teacher doesn't seem to be following the research and the guidelines on what is appropriate for this age group". Make it look like they don't know what they are talking about. It will force them to research and learn that they are wrong. lol

I'd be pissed. My kiddo currently loves school (she turns 4 in Oct), and if she started not enjoying school because of learning that was too structured for her age, I'd be angry.

[Deleted]

Please update with how they respond. I never saw homework for the kids in preschool.

[NitaX]

Sept 16, 2015 5:27:50 GMT -5 josieposy said:

My 4 year old DDs get a one-page (optional) worksheet per week. I'd definitely say what you have is excessive.

This. DD's worksheet is very basic - tracing lines, tracing letters. My BFF is a elem teacher and she said that if your kid doesn't want to do the worksheet - don't force it. Let them do what they are comfortable with at that age.

Now, my DD loves Bob Books. The Bob Books take sounds and gets the child to put words together to read. Think the Sesame Street skit where the monsters sound out letters to make words. She's been begging to do those every night.

[AAM2012]

Maybe I missed it but instead of emailing the director is there a reason you can't talk to the teacher first?

[msmerymac]

Ugh, worksheets for preschoolers are hugely developmentally inappropriate.

Bright Horizons isn't really overpriced. It's expensive, yes. Not everyone can afford it. There are many less expensive options that are good. But they pay good salaries, which allows them to attract high quality teachers (who know not to give a 3 year old worksheets), and they are a good quality program.

[downtoearth]

I'm of the decline homework mindset. I'd just send it back with a note each week that said, "No homework from KIDS NAME this week." then sign it. It's up to the teacher to approach you and it wouldn't weigh on my mommy-guilt or conscience at all.


I still do this with my 4th grader sometimes. Monday was his birthday and I just sent his undone homework back with, "No homework completed tonight since it was B's birthday."

[marriedfilingjoint]

So the alphas who do Baby Einstein flash cards with infants asked for it. Please. Well, glad it's optional and that things are cleared up.

[heyjude]

Sept 16, 2015 15:47:52 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Homework decline accepted.

Good job!!!

[oscarnerdjulief]

I skimmed the thread, but I can say that most of my seventh graders wouldn't even complete that many worksheets.

Someone asked why they have to read and write by age 4---kindergarten now is way more than when we were in school. My MIL is glad she retired because she had to give the kids a mandated test where they wrote full sentences. They would cry.