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Homework Policy

Holy Family Day Nursery School

Student Handbook

Early Childhood Homework Philosophy

The focus of our Early Childhood Homework Policy is to continue to promote school readiness and provide our younger students with a firm foundation for learning. We have assimilated from research that internationally, researchers do not agree on written "worksheet" homework for preschool level (Nursery & Pre-K) students. In light of these results, Holy Family Day Nursery School has opted to develop a holistic, hands-on experiential multi-level homework chart for their young students.

Most of these assignments will NOT be paper-pencil tasks but actual experiences for an adult in the home and the child to interact together in an active form of learning.

Our Approach

The activities listed are considered developmentally appropriate homework assignments for early childhood level students which will encourage positive learning experiences and will reinforce skills taught at school. Homework at this age should also be fun. Children (and parents) should not become upset over homework. This is only the beginning of your young child's life of learning. Let's work together to make it a positive experience.

Why have we opted for such activities: to promote independence in our younger students; build their communication skills; develop a love of literacy; foster problem-solving skills; develop organizational skills all while reinforcing the basic subject areas of reading, mathematics, science, social studies and more.

The 3-Task Assignment

This is a 3 task assignment. Parents are asked to engage their child each night in three different activities each evening. The first two are the same assignment each evening. The third should be chosen from the list below or created at home.

1

Daily Conversation

The parents or other adults in the house should engage your child in a conversation about their school day. Be careful not to ask questions that require only "yes" or "no" answers or even one word answers. Encourage your child to "tell" you about the day.

  • What work did your child do during the day?
  • What games did they play on the playground and with whom?
  • What good food did he/she enjoy at lunch?

This will develop oral communication skills and language. Older children can be encouraged to draw and later write a mini journal of their day.

2

Daily Reading Time

Find time every day (including weekends) to read a good book together. This is mandatory. Younger students need to be read to, older students will begin to try to read the book to you. Be sure to discuss the story as you go along. Listening skills are advanced when this process is practiced, and a love for reading is acquired.

Proper Book Handling Tips:
  • Point out the title and call it the title, then the author and illustrator
  • Use proper terms to name the parts of the book
  • Encourage your child to handle the book carefully
  • Practice holding the book and turning pages properly
  • Encourage left to right, top to bottom motion
  • Use pictures as connectors from written word to picture
3

Choose from Homework Chart

If you still have time, choose an activity from the Homework Chart. Limit your choice to one per day. There are more activities listed than school days in the year. Remember that your child has been in school all day as you probably have been at work. They need a break.

Important: Allow your child to be engaged in some physical activity, preferably outside (weather permitting). Also, allow time for child's play. Please limit the time watching television and computer play.

Choose one activity from the chart. Many of the activities can and should be carried over for several days and some months. You are asked to start out at an easy level, then repeat a task making it more difficult as time passes and your child excels.

The goal is NOT "to do" all of the activities, rather to engage your child in meaningful, educational activities at home.

A Note About Worksheets

If you are still a die-hard "worksheet" parent, then we recommend you purchase a workbook and/or writing tablet at your local department store. The paper-pencil practice will not harm your child, but research has found it may not help your child either.

Holy Family Day Nursery School | Academic Year 2024-2025

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