Advice & Tips for Parents

How Parents Can Support Learning at Home

As a parent, it’s completely natural to want to support your child’s learning—but many parents feel unsure where to start. The way maths and English are taught in primary schools today can feel very different, especially within the UK (English) National Curriculum (KS1 and KS2) and IB PYP framework.

The good news is that supporting your child at home doesn’t require hours of work, specialist knowledge, or stressful homework battles. Small, consistent habits can make a big difference to your child’s confidence and progress.

1. Focus on Confidence First

Before anything else, confidence matters.

If a child feels anxious or believes they are “bad at maths” or “bad at English,” they are far less likely to engage or improve. Building confidence in primary school children is one of the most important things parents can do.

Simple phrases like:

• “Let’s figure this out together”

• “It’s okay to make mistakes”

can really change how a child approaches learning.

2. Make Reading a Daily Habit

Reading is one of the most effective ways to support your child’s progress across the primary curriculum.

For younger children:

• Read together every day (10 minutes is enough)

• Use phonics to sound out words

• Talk about pictures and simple storylines

For older children:

• Ask questions about what they’re reading

• Encourage predictions and discussions

• Include both fiction and non-fiction books

Developing strong reading skills in primary school-age children supports writing, spelling, and even maths problem-solving.

3. Keep Maths Practical and Fun

Maths doesn’t have to mean worksheets.

You can support primary school maths at home through everyday activities:

• Practising times tables

• Using money while shopping eve if it is electronic/digital

• Telling the time

• Cooking and measuring

In the most maths curricula, children are encouraged to explain their thinking. So instead of just asking for the answer, ask: “How did you work that out?”

This builds deeper understanding and supports maths reasoning skills.

4. Keep Practice Short and Consistent

Many parents think longer study sessions are better—but this often leads to frustration.

Instead, aim for:

• 10–15 minutes of focused learning

• A few times a week

This approach works especially well for younger learners, helping them stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Consistency is key when supporting children’s learning at home.

5. Don’t Worry If You Don’t Know the Method

A very common concern is:
“I don’t understand how maths is taught in primary school now.”

That’s completely normal.

Modern teaching methods in primary maths curricula often look different from how parents learned. If this happens:

• Ask your child to explain their method

• Focus on understanding rather than correcting

• Offer encouragement rather than pressure

You don’t need to be an expert in primary school maths or English—your support is what matters most.

6. Create a Calm Learning Routine

A simple routine can make a big difference to your child’s progress.

Try to:

• Set a regular time for home learning

• Choose a quiet, distraction-free space

• Keep sessions relaxed and positive

A consistent routine helps children feel more secure and improves focus and learning habits in primary school.

Final Thoughts: Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home

Supporting your child at home isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing small things consistently.

Daily reading, short maths practice, and building confidence can have a lasting impact on your child’s success within primary education systems.

If your child needs more structured support with maths and English, or a boost in confidence, extra guidance can make a big difference—but what you do at home will always be the foundation of their learning.