The government has published information, guidance and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home.
Teaching 2-4 year olds
You can help your child to learn through the little things you do with them, for example:
- everyday conversations
- make-believe play
- games with numbers or letters
- reading together
- involving them in the things you are doing, such as household chores, and talking with them about it
Keeping a Routine
Children will feel more comfortable with a predictable routine, so try to make sure they:
- get up and go to bed at the same time each day
- have regular meal times
- turn off any electronic devices, including the TV, at least an hour before bedtime
Keeping Active
Young children should be active for at least 3 hours a day in total.
While inside, there are plenty of things you can do to keep children active, such as:
- playing hide-and-seek
- Seeing who can do the most star jumps
- making an obstacle course
- playing music and having a dance-off
Looking to find new and exciting ways to develop your child’s learning abilities? Do they have exams coming up in the next few years which you’re worried about? Click here to read our article of tips and tricks to maximise learning growth
Teaching Primary School Children
Structuring the Day
When schools provide children with work they may give you advice on how to structure the day. But generally, you should try to make sure that they:
- get up and go to bed at the same time each day
- have regular meal times
- have regular breaks
- make time to be active – children are used to regular play at lunch and break times
Digital Devices
Your child’s school may set them work that can be done on a digital device such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone.
Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices your child is using and supervise their use of websites and apps.
Reducing Screentime
Digital devices are not the only way to learn. Manage screen time with a timer and break up screen time by getting your child to:
- use books and other printed materials that their school has provided or that you have at home
- write by hand – try asking them to complete work by hand, write a diary, a summary of things they have learned or done each day or ‘to do’ lists
- be active and get away from the screen regularly – see a selection of physical activity resources for primary school children
- stop using digital devices at least an hour before bed
Reception, year 1 and year 2 children
- sit with them as they work
- do active and practical things, rather than trying to make them sit and listen for long periods
- try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
- take frequent breaks
- praise or reward them when they do well
Year 3 to 6 children
The best way to help children aged 7 to 11 learn is to:
- give them support and direction, but encourage them to do work independently too
- include active and practical things, rather than trying to make them sit and work for long periods
- try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
- take frequent breaks
- praise or reward them when they do well
To check if they are learning try to:
- ask them questions as they go
- talk about things they learned
Teaching Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
No one expects parents to act as teachers or childcare providers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school or nursery would. Parents and carers should do their best to help and support their children with their learning while they are at home.
The government have been working with a range of other organisations to create extra resources to help you. See:
The content of this article was taken directly from the government’s website for your convenience. Click here to read their complete guidance
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