how much time to you spend working on your childrens writing skills

[RCT]

or I guess helping them with homework....learning letters and numbers....etc...just curious...we have been working with both children about 20 minutes a day...and its funny but dd can write her name...ok so her d's look like b's but she is only 4....ds couldn't write his name until well into Kindergarden...funny...guess I should have spent more time on these skills when he was younger...any way..it got me to thinking how much time do you all spend helping them develop these skills? TIA

[AnnW]

I don't do homework with my kids. I am around for questions or if they don't understand something, and will check it over if they want me to, but I don't sit with them while they do it.
Most of my kids' teachers have said that they don't like the child turning in "perfect" homework..meaning that the parent sat there correcting and having the child fix every error. They like to know what the child is still struggling with and what she needs to work on more in class.
My kids do have x amount of time that they are supposed to read.

[MaryL]

I think it really depends on the child. In our house, our kids were exposed early to crayons, playdough, and other fine motor supplies. Older ds took to coloring and writing (printing) like crazy! Younger ds isn't as interested. My ds both write thank you notes when needed (I tell the letters, youngest ds just writes them!) and I encourage coloring, painting, and TRACING! Do you have some tracing paper???? Kids love to trace pictures from coloring books! It's fun, and a great skill. My kids (at school) also like to write in shaving cream which I spray on the tables. It's fun, and gets the tables sooo clean!;) Children who are reluctant to print can also be motivated by having to "sign in" to watch a video...for example! One of my ds' is a wonderful colorer...he colors in the lines, uses lots of colors, and takes his time. He always has! My other ds just doesn't think that coloring is that important. He does it in school if he has to. But he'd rather just take a pencil and draw simple things...or draw treasure maps. I also think a small chalkboard or white board is a fun thing to have around the house. Kids like to draw on them, especially if you can find somewhere to hang it up! (Like REAL school!!)

My ds (2nd grade) has homework each night. I check it when he's done, but I let him write the answers as he thinks he should. I also know that teachers don't expect students to turn in perfect (parent style) homework. My son's teacher said she can tell instantly when a parent helps a child with a book report. She said some of the answers aren't in children's wording at all. My ds will ask me for help with spelling, and I will remind him to capitalize something, or add punctuation, but I let him decide the answers he wants to give.