(Unless you were a geek like me who begged my middle school teachers for homework for a year in then soon lost interest by year 9....)
So my eldest is in his second term of reception class at am amazing faith school and is absolutely loving it. We knew he was ready for the discipline and stimulation of school but could never have dreamt that he would change and grow so much so quickly and it has been a joy to watch him bloom.
The only 'concern' that I had about our choice of school (and it really is no concern at all) is that there is quite an emphasis on the academic side. My son is actually really bright and has embraced the new skills and subjects with much gusto, however learning has changed a great deal since I was at school.
We knew there would be some homework in reception, although mainly just reading at home, and when A first came home with a home learning diary and various passwords to join reading eggs and mathletics, I was very impressed with the technology available and excited to get started. However within the first half term my son was starting to notice that he hadn't gotten a certificate in mathletics like his friends at school, so I started looking in to what he needed to do to gain a certificate. I was horrified to learn he needed to earn 1000 points and as he gets 10 points per exercise he would need to complete 14 exercise per day for a week just to gain a piece of paper to put on the wall.
I know that the exercises are not compulsory, but kids talk and its hard not to compare when his peers are doing an hour plus of homework every night and have several certificates proudly displayed on the wall. I have really struggled with the concept of my five year old finishing school and coming home to spend his afternoon sat at my laptop in order to achieve recognition for his academic intelligence.
Don't get me wrong, we dedicate a great deal of time to learning at home, but I prefer my children to learn through play; counting lego pieces, making shapes and discussing them, ordering toy cars into colours and writing cards and letters to family and friends. I have spent years teaching my son at home and don't intend to stop now that he is at school, however I also don't intend to fill his down time with hours sat in front of a screen.
When my boy comes home, he throws down his school bag, grabs a drink and a biscuit and excitedly tells me about his day, then he plays. He plays cars, he plays superheroes, he plays lego, he plays dress up. He runs around with his baby brother until they collapse in a fit of giggles on the floor, he reads a book to me after dinner and he has a bath before more stories in bed.
I am so crazy proud of my son and I try to praise him regularly for the great things he does every single day and reassure him that he is doing great. In the meantime I will let him carry on with they very thing he does best; play.
The below poem by Anita Wadley sums up my thoughts on the subject.... R
Just Playing
When I'm building in the block area,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play,
About balances and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play;
I may be a mother or father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint
Or standing at an easel,
Or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He is just playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair
"Reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing.'
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "just play.'
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle
Or some "plaything' at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in 'play.'
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it,
It is 'just play.'
I'm learning to follow direction and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop,
Run and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I just played',
Please don't misunderstand me.
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.
- Anita Wadley
