Supporting Your Child's Learning at Home
A home learning environment is all the experiences, conversations, activities and relationships that help children learn and develop. Learning happens everywhere, not just in school or nursery. Everyday routines, play, reading, talking together and exploring the world around us all help children build important skills and confidence.
Parents and carers are a child's first and most important educators. The time you spend together can have a significant impact on your child's communication, language, social skills and overall development.
What Makes a Positive Home Learning Environment?
A positive home learning environment does not require expensive resources or lots of space. The most important ingredients are:
Talking Together
Children learn through conversation. Talking about everyday activities helps build vocabulary, language skills and understanding.
Try to:
Talk about what you are doing during daily routines
Ask open-ended questions such as "What do you think might happen next?"
Listen to your child's ideas and encourage them to share their thoughts
Introduce new words through play and everyday experiences
Reading and Sharing Stories
Reading together supports language development, imagination and a love of learning.
You can:
Read books every day, even for a few minutes
Visit your local library
Talk about pictures and characters
Retell favourite stories together
Playing Together
Play is one of the most important ways children learn.
Through play, children develop:
Communication and language skills
Problem-solving abilities
Creativity and imagination
Social and emotional understanding
Physical coordination
Simple activities such as role play, building with blocks, drawing, puzzles and outdoor play can provide valuable learning opportunities.
Encouraging Independence
Children learn confidence and resilience when they are given opportunities to do things for themselves.
Encourage your child to:
Dress themselves
Help tidy up
Make simple choices
Take part in household tasks appropriate to their age
Learning Through Everyday Activities
Many of the best learning opportunities happen during everyday routines.
At mealtimes
Talk about colours, shapes and textures of food
Count items together
Encourage conversation and turn-taking
During shopping trips
Count objects
Compare sizes and quantities
Talk about signs, labels and prices
Outdoors
Explore nature
Look for shapes, colours and patterns
Talk about what you see, hear and feel
In the home
Involve children in cooking and baking
Sort laundry by colour or size
Sing songs and nursery rhymes
Complete simple tasks together
Supporting Children's Wellbeing
Children learn best when they feel safe, secure and valued.
You can support your child's wellbeing by:
Establishing regular routines
Praising effort and achievements
Encouraging them to express their feelings
Spending quality time together
Ensuring opportunities for physical activity and outdoor play
Supporting Children with Additional Needs
Every child learns differently. Small adaptations can make a big difference.
Consider
Using visual supports or picture schedules
Breaking tasks into smaller steps
Providing predictable routines
Allowing extra time for processing information
Following your child's interests to increase engagement and motivation
If you have concerns about your child's development, speak to your child's early years setting, school, health visitor or other relevant professionals.
Remember
You do not need to be a teacher to support your child's learning. Simple interactions such as talking, reading, playing and spending time together provide powerful learning opportunities that help children thrive.
Every conversation, every story, every game and every shared experience helps build the foundations for lifelong learning.
You can find more advice and information from the National Literacy Trust
Home learning environment advice and guidance for parents and carers
Best Start in Life
Best Start in Life health advice - Health advice and guidance for parents. Now you can also find out about childcare and education support too!
Some helpful links that provide tips and advice on supporting your children's learning at home
Little Moments Together Cards - The Little Moments Together cards are filled with tips and conversation ideas to help you chat to your 0- to 2-year-old throughout the day
Chat, play and read booklet - This booklet is filled with simple activities for families with children aged 0 to 3 that can be completed at home, which will help families have fun together, and encourage children to learn to speak and communicate too
Walk and Talk Trail – The set of cards are designed to support parents and carers of 0-5-year-olds to talk and play more with their children while they are out and about
Nursery Rhymes in the Early Years - Nursery rhymes are extremely valuable to support language and communication skills, build confidence and prepare children for reading and writing as they get older
Words for Life Newsletter - Sign up for the newsletter to receive fun, free activities and expert tips to help your child develop essential communication skills
Family-facing Words for Life - Explore Words for Life for a wealth of activities, tips, and resources designed to help your child develop essential literacy and communication skills.
Share stories with me booklet - A booklet designed for parents and carers of young children
Bookfinder - The BookTrust Bookbinder is available to help parents and carers choose books for children
Better Health videos for families - Check out this playlist for engaging activities and tips to support your child’s early development, brought to you by Better Health Start for Life
CBeebies Parenting – advice, tips and podcasts for parents (including advice for starting school)
Potty Training
The Potty Training Guide, is a new Government-backed guide to when and how to potty train your child
Oral Health
Children's Toothbrushing Guide - Healthy smiles start at home: a guide to brushing your child’s teeth
Starting reception
Skills and activities which parents and/or carers should be practising with their children in preparation for starting school in Reception year.
Starting Reception - Your child's journey to school starts at home
Starting Reception Activity Ideas for parents - Activities to help your child get ready for school
Preparing for school - Best Start in Life - Find out how everyday moments at home can help your child feel confident and prepared, whatever stage they’re at