Why is it that a plan that originated to allow us to get the most out of something, ends up destroying the pleasure of it altogether. I found this with English at school. I was happily enjoying movies and books and then English came along and we analysed them to find out what they were saying. It has taking years for me to stop accidentally analyzing movies and books.
I am finding the same with the homework for the 5 yr old. It is meant to assist the child to get more out of the books we read, he is meant to hear a book and draw a sequence from the book, beginning, middle, end. Because it is hard to get him to recall ANYTHING that happened in the book, this task has become a nightmare. Instead of being able to enjoy reading to him, I am feeling the pressure of producing this homework with him. I am not experienced with homework for small children but I can't help but feel that it is making reading work instead of pleasure.
My approach has not been even remotely helpful, however putting unnecessary stress into what should be a wonderful time of shared pleasure, will remove any possibility of developing a love of reading.
Why do we need to make everything a "learning experience" Why can't 3 yr olds just play with playdough, or draw spirals and squares, why can't a 5 yr old just have stories read to him, why can't 10 yr olds enjoy being read to though they can already read, why must everything be about proving that learning happened? Learning is happening whenever children are awake. We don't need to make it hard work.
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