How To Support Your Child’s Learning At Home

* This is a collaborative post

Supporting your child's learning at home doesn't have to mean sitting at a desk for hours every day or trying to recreate a classroom in your living room. One of the main things I remember reading about when I was researching home education is you don't want to recreate a school environment. Surely that's exactly what you're trying to avoid?

Whether you homeschool, your child attends school, or you simply want to give them a little extra support, there are lots of simple ways to encourage learning as part of everyday family life. If you're new to home learning, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are so many different approaches, resources and opinions that it can quickly feel overwhelming. I found it much easier once I stopped worrying about doing everything "right" and started focusing on what worked for our family.

If you're looking for some practical advice on getting started with home tutoring, Help! How Do I Home Tutor My Child? from Sherpa Tutors is a useful place to start. It offers some guidance for parents who want to support their child's learning at home and may be feeling a little unsure about how to approach it.

Follow Their Interests

One of my favourite things about learning at home is being able to follow a child's interests. If they're fascinated by dinosaurs, spend some time learning about dinosaurs. If they're obsessed with space, read books about planets, make a solar system or watch a documentary together. If they love baking, there's maths, science, reading and practical skills hiding in the kitchen.

Learning doesn't always need to look like traditional schoolwork to be valuable. Following their interests can also make children much more enthusiastic about learning because it starts with something they already care about.

Have A Simple Routine

Children often benefit from having some structure, but that doesn't mean every minute of the day needs to be planned. A simple routine can make learning feel much more manageable. You might have a few regular activities each morning, followed by plenty of time for play, reading, getting outside or pursuing their own interests.

The important thing is finding a routine that works for your family rather than trying to copy somebody else's.

Make Use Of Free Resources

There are so many resources available to families now, and you don't need to buy lots of expensive equipment, workbooks or complicated curriculums. Books, library visits, nature walks, documentaries, board games and educational websites can all become part of learning. Technology can also be incredibly useful when used alongside other activities.

I've previously shared 7 Educational Apps To Support Learning At Home, which includes some of the apps we've found useful for making learning a little more engaging.

Don't Forget The Everyday Stuff

Some of the best learning happens without children even realising they're learning. Cooking can involve reading, measuring and maths. Shopping can teach children about money and budgeting. Gardening can introduce them to nature and science. Planning a day out involves reading, time and problem solving.

There are also plenty of practical skills that children can learn as they grow. Things like cooking, cleaning, managing money and looking after themselves are all important parts of becoming independent. 

Don't Put Too Much Pressure On Yourself

Perhaps the most important thing I've learned is that you don't have to do everything. Some days will be productive. Other days won't. 

Children learn in different ways and at different speeds, in different environments. Supporting their learning isn't about creating the perfect school environment or having an answer for everything. It's about being interested, encouraging their questions and giving them opportunities to explore the world around them.

Learning at home can be as simple as reading a book together, answering a question they've asked, baking a cake or spending an afternoon outside. You don't have to recreate school at home. You just need to create opportunities for your child to learn, explore and grow in a way that works for them — and for you.

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