Kids really are behind where they used to be. I was so grown up at 18 and knew how to red and write extremely well. Today they just do not know how to spell and everyone’s handwriting is atrocious. I do blame parents though for not doing enough before those early school years.

I feel the same way, especially with my primary school aged daughter. I feel like there are so many things she should know by now that she doesn’t. But we buy those Excel Math/English work books and let her work through those.
The methods have definitely changed since I was in school, I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing. I think it’s just so different to what we are used to.

I was born in 1985 and I have a similar belief. I was giving my them 12 and 14 year old step kids extra home work after school but it was 6th grade stuff. I don’t get schooling these days.

Perhaps you should teach her yourself

I agree with BellaB; there are more complexities.

It’s most definitely different these days that’s for sure. My daughter was supposedly ahead in her reading when she was in foundation but I honestly couldn’t see it. I can’t help but think it’s the teachers having different teaching methods?

I wish I had more time at home with my kids that I could help a little more with their learning, but it’s just not viable anymore. We wouldn’t be able to afford to keep a roof over our heads if I didn’t work unfortunately.

I know the homework certainly didn’t hurt me, and I think I would much rather be used to having some then get a rude awakening when starting high school. All the lessons learned in school, even in younger years are preparing us for life.
Also, in the 90s when I went to primary school, we did actually learn how to use a computer and type. I can tell you, my daughter can’t type and doesn’t really know a lot of basics on a computer. She knows how to play games well enough though…

I know for a fact the school my kids attended was way behind those in the city. Sad really that where they grew up had such a negative affect on their education

I think my kids are learning far more complex things than I was at their age, and there’s stuff like computer use that was just unheard of. I think it’s hard to compare because the world is so different now.

There is a lot of teaching that needs to occur at home and at school to stay on top of learning. If there are any concerns a discussion with school is always a good idea.

Possibly, but possibly not. Their are so many other things that children are learning now. When we were at school we didn’t need to learn how to use s laptop or ipad. and we had almost zero wellbeing incorporated into our classes. As for the homework – there are studies that suggest that homework is not beneficial for students in primary school. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-24/study-finds-homework-has-limited-value/4330514

Yes, I agree – it seems that we are shoving them off to school earlier and earlier and there doesn’t seem to be any real benefit in this. They certainly aren’t more knowledgeable than I was at the same age and I didn’t start school until the year I would turn 6, as my birthday is in August.

I’m worrying about school already. My twins are 4 1/2 and I’m not sure if they are ready for school.

Also, I have often raised concerns with the teachers at parent teacher interviews, etc. but they just keep insisting that my kids are both learning as they should and are actually above the expectation in most things. This really concerns me for the next generation…

The issue with getting my kids to learn at home is that I work full time. They do extracurricular activities 2-3 times per week and by the time they get home from that, there is just no time. I have purchased a handwriting book to assist my daughter with that, and I think she only cared about it momentarily. I also bought things for both kids to learn French and that has been neglected too. It’s really hard to get them motivated to do things when we are not always around each other or have the time.
If teachers assigned homework it would motivate the kids as they would then be having their work checked at school.

You’re not alone in your concerns. Many parents are noticing shifts in how kids learn these days and are worried about the long-term impacts. I actually spend a bit of time myself working through some work books for literacy and numeracy on our own.

I worry about this myself and it sometimes seems that way. They have so much to fit in now that maybe there isn’t enough focused on each subject.

Have you raised your concerns with the teacher or the school directly? My daughter goes to a school that is more play based learning and she has learned a lot. They also do not have homework, however i ensure i incorporate it at home. Perhaps if you haven’t already, you could consider incorporating this at home and showing them, the time when you are looking to leave the house, when people are coming to visit etc and they will eventually pick this up. With regards to spelling and grammer, there are so many valuable activity books out there that you can buy from places like Kmart that aren’t expensive that you can sit with your child and do together, this is a great bonding opportunity. Although it is important for them to learn these skills and ensure they are getting the best out of school, your role as a parent is also just as important to continue the learning at home and it can be easy to do if you incorporate little things in your daily life.