Homework trouble with a 5 year old

[jmp1279]

My dd Paige, who is 5, is in pre-k this year. To my knowledge she is doing fine in the classroom since I have not gotten any bad reports from her teachers. My problem is after we get home from school she doesn't want to practice writing her letters. She will color her homework alright other than she doesn't really take her time to stay in the lines, but the artwork that she brings home from school shows me that she can stay in the lines.

What can I do at home to get her to practice her letters and take her time coloring her homework?

Thanks in advance.

[mjande4]

I don't think coming home from prek to color and practice letters more is good or stimulating for a preschooler. Let her relax and play.

[steelcrazy]

I will second this advice.  At that age kids need to play and explore more than they need to sit at a table and practice coloring and writing.  

Quoting mjande4:

I don't think coming home from prek to color and practice letters more is good or stimulating for a preschooler. Let her relax and play.

[frndlyfn]

I would give her 30 min-1hr after school to have a snack and wind down.  Then approach homework again.  At this age she sounds right on track for her skills and they are just practicing so explain to her just to slow down when doing something.

[GwenMB]

Is this something the school is expecting, or just something you want to do on top of going to school?

I wouldn't expect her to practise anything unless she wants to do it.  My son had little to no interest in practising writing & is doing just fine with handwriting in K.  I'm actually rather surprised at time about how neatly he can write.

[MommaTasha1003]

Dont let her color until after she has done her writting... Also Id try giving her a break. bring her in, give her a snack & read a book or something with her, then maybe while you are cooking dinner have her do it..

[sonshining]

I'm in agreement with the above Moms. She is young for "homework time." So, let up in her and maybe have her practice letters every other day. Put a star or sticker on the page she does her letters on. Let her enjoy your praise and appreciation when she does color well and practice her letters. You don't want her to begin dreading homework when she does start school.

[ambercates]

Make it fun, and don't do it everyday! I teach pre-k, and we don't expect them to write in the lines perfectly! If they can even write letters we are happy!

[maxswolfsuit]

I agree with everyone.

No reason for a preK student to sit and practice after school. 
My son is in preK and I never make him practice letters. But he really getting interested in it on his own. So he tries to make words and will ask me write something so he can copy it.  

The best thing you can do with her is to read every day. Just read, read, read!!!

[GwenMB]

Quoting maxswolfsuit: 

The best thing you can do with her is to read every day. Just read, read, read!!!

I really agree with this point.  Reading to her is far more important than any other single educational thing you could do.

[jmp1279]

I don't make her practice her letters everyday. Just as a suppliment to what she is doing in class.

I try to have her do something while her sister is taking a nap.

I just want her to take an intrest in school and not be like her dad.

Her homework is coloring which is only once a week.

I'm just trying to help her in school, but I feel like I'm failing her somehow.