Is it normal for preschoolers to have homework?

It seems to me that my preschooler's teacher is giving her students too much homework. She has to do 3 pages of work every night that include: writing her name 8 times on a sheet of paper, the other page has 3 pictures drawn and she has to copy the drawing 2 times each, then color all the pictures, and on the 3rd page, according to what letter they are working on for that week: Mondays she has to write that letter in lower case about 40 times, Tuesdays she has to find pictures in magazines that start with that letter and glue them on paper, Wednesdays she has to write that letter in upper case about 40 times, Thursdays she has to cut out that letter out of magazines and glue it on paper. She also has 3 pages of homework to do every weekend. Does or did your preschooler have this much HOMEWORK to do every night? I'm thinking of having a meeting with her teacher about this since she's begun to not like school. Any advice helps!

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Asked by isabelgp18 at 9:21 PM on Oct. 6, 2008 in School-Age Kids (5-8)

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Answers (13)

Oh my! That's awful! If she starts to hate school now, starts to fight doing homework now, what on earth will you (and she) do when she's in 2nd grade, 6th grade, 11th grade?!?!?

Homework for a preschooler should be finding something for show & tell, everyone bring in a pretty leaf for a "fall" project. She has 13 years of workbook drills and flashcards ahead of her, why start to squash her love of learning this early?

If the teacher gives you some BS about kids needing to be prepared for kindergarten, go talk to a kindergarten teacher to see what SHE will expect of your daughter. Then consider pulling your child out of that awful school before you destroy her love of learning for good.

Answer by kaycee14 at 9:28 PM on Oct. 6, 2008
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I think it does sound like alot, I would try speaking to the school's owner or principal.

Answer by 2precious2 at 9:28 PM on Oct. 6, 2008
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My daughter goes to half day preschool twice a week and she comes home with one page to do before the next class meeting. Usually it's just to identify something that follows the theme of the day or week. She learns to write her name in class and letters and colors and shapes, which she knows all of those things, she just needs help with learing to read and write as much as preschool can help. Your daugher should never feel like she hates school in preschool. I would definitely do some talking. I can honestly say that I think that pre-school is for exactly what I described about my daughters school. For the basics. They will get into the rest of it in kindergarten and grade school. Your teacher seems too ambitious for children who are barely more than toddlers.

Answer by crazybeautifulh at 9:50 PM on Oct. 6, 2008
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holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my daughter has never broughten homework home...and thank god, cuz if she was bringing THAT much home id be talkin to the teachers!!!! preschool is about socializing not really about learning THAAAT much! holy crap!!! lol.im sorry but im in shock!!! the only thing my daughter has to do is bring in show and tell every monday..thats it!! wow! i would find a new school!!! that aint right! they have the next 13+yrs to get homework..i dont even agree with kids under grade 8 getting homework...but..holy crap!! if that was my kid, i wouldnt even make her do that stuff! ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer by alexis_06 at 12:10 AM on Oct. 7, 2008
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Oh goodness, my 3 yo goes to pre-school twice a week and no, he has no homework as of yet. They have letters of the week and we do our own thing after school, but nothing required. This sounds outrageous to me that she is requiring this much extra work out and pressure for a pre-schooler. She may be an over-ambitious new teacher trying to make an impression. I would definently arrange a meeting. Keep us updated, would love to know how the meeting goes. Good luck.

Answer by momof2boyz0103 at 12:12 AM on Oct. 7, 2008
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Talk to the teacher. That homework is more than my first grader or third grader do at night.
If you get no understanding from the teacher, speak to the owner, or find a better school soon.

Answer by RedRowan at 10:58 AM on Oct. 7, 2008
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That is alot of homework at thier age. My son is 3 and his preschool class checks out a book on Mondays and returns it on Fridays. Thats all his "homework" is. They do all the colors, numbers, name writing in school. My question is what is your child doing in the class then???

Answer by naynaybee at 11:07 AM on Oct. 7, 2008
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Homework in preschool? Wow. First, no. *IF* my preschooler has homework, it's something like "bring a yellow apple to school on Monday."

Second, my 1st grader has homework 4 to 5 nights a week. Although he can have up to 4 items on his assignment sheet, he rarely has more than 15 minutes worth of work. I'd almost say your preschooler has more homework than my first grader.

Answer by ldmrmom at 11:55 AM on Oct. 7, 2008
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My preschooler never has homework! I don't think kids should have any homework until at least Kindergarten, and even then it should be a minimal amount and it should be fun!

Answer by missashleyrenee at 2:18 PM on Oct. 7, 2008
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There is something wrong with that. Kids her age don't learn like that....they learn through play. The teacher should be giving them fun activites that help them learn while they play. Their brains don't work like that yet. Jeez....poor kids.

Answer by RenaeMom3277 at 4:06 PM on Oct. 7, 2008
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