As parents, we play a key role in how to support a child in school and nurture their learning journey. Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom—it continues at home in countless ways. Creating an environment that encourages curiosity, independence, and a love for learning can greatly enhance your child’s development. Here are some tips on how to support learning at home.
Morning routines
A strong, consistent morning routine sets the tone for the day. It helps your child transition smoothly from home to school, making the start of the day less stressful.
Consistency is key. When children know what to expect, they feel secure and confident, which can boost their readiness to engage in the day’s activities. Encourage your child to be involved in the routine, so they gradually take responsibility for tasks like packing their backpack or choosing their clothes for school.
A routine can include:
- waking up at the same time,
- having a healthy breakfast, and
- packing the school bag together.
You might also set aside a few quiet minutes for your child to focus on the day ahead—perhaps by talking about what they’re excited to learn.
Discuss the school day
Children learn best when they can reflect on their experiences. Asking your child about their school day helps reinforce what they’ve learned and process new information. By asking open-ended questions, you encourage your child to elaborate and reflect, fostering their ability to express thoughts and feelings. This approach also opens the door for more meaningful conversations and allows you to understand your child’s interests, challenges, and achievements.
Instead of using closed-ended questions like “Did you have a good day?” try open-ended ones like:
- “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?”
- “Can you tell me more about the story your teacher read?”
Show photos from the FinlandWay® app
FinlandWay® provides a unique tool to help parents stay involved in their child’s learning. Through the app, teachers share foliettes, photos, and updates about the school day. These can serve as wonderful conversation starters. Ask your child to explain what’s happening in the photos or how they felt during a particular activity.
These discussions not only deepen your connection with your child but also reinforce classroom learning at home. You can further build on these experiences by asking follow-up questions like:
- “What did you enjoy most about this activity?”
- “What would you like to learn more about?”
Expand on learning themes
Schools often communicate the main learning goals and themes for each term. At FinlandWay®, these themes are thoughtfully planned to align with the child’s developmental stage and interests. As a parent, you can extend these themes into home activities to solidify your child’s understanding.
By expanding on classroom themes at home, you’re reinforcing the concepts and showing your child that learning is fun and can happen anywhere. For example:
- If the current theme at school is space, consider incorporating it into your evening routine by reading books about planets, stars, or astronauts.
- You could also watch documentaries together or try simple space-related crafts or experiments, like building a model of the solar system.
Encourage exploration and independent play
Independent play is a crucial part of your child’s learning journey. It promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You don’t need to constantly direct their activities—let them lead the way, whether it’s building with blocks, drawing, or experimenting with different games.
Give your child the space and time to explore topics and activities that interest them. This exploration helps them develop their unique learning style and build self-confidence in their ability to learn on their own.
Be available for support but allow them the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and discover new things independently.
Remove distractions
Children naturally dive deep into subjects that fascinate them, whether it’s dinosaurs, fairy tales, or maths puzzles. To support their focus, it’s important to remove distractions that can break their concentration. Background noise from the TV, constant notifications from smartphones, or other interruptions can easily derail their thought processes.
- Create a quiet, dedicated space for your child to engage in activities that require concentration.
- This doesn’t have to be a formal study area—simply turning off the TV or silencing phones during playtime or homework sessions can make a big difference.
- Encourage your child to focus on one activity at a time and allow them to fully immerse themselves in their chosen task.
Celebrate achievements
Recognising and celebrating your child’s achievements, no matter how small, can boost their confidence and motivation. Celebrations don’t have to be elaborate—sometimes a simple high-five, a sticker, or a few kind words are enough to make your child feel proud and appreciated. When your child feels supported and acknowledged, they’ll be more likely to approach new learning challenges with enthusiasm.
Praise their effort and persistence rather than focusing solely on the outcome. For example, instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try, “I’m really proud of how hard you worked on that puzzle!”
Supporting learning at home is an ongoing journey
Supporting your child’s learning journey at home is about creating an environment that fosters curiosity, focus, and a love for learning. By establishing routines, discussing the school day, removing distractions, and expanding on classroom themes, you can help your child feel confident and engaged in their educational experiences. Most importantly, show them that learning is a joyful, ongoing process that goes beyond the walls of the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How much time should I spend supporting my child’s learning at home each day?
There’s no fixed amount of time, consistency matters more than duration. Even 10–15 minutes of focused attention, such as talking about the school day, reading together, or exploring a theme, can make a big difference in your child’s learning progress and confidence.
Q2. What if my child doesn’t want to talk about their school day?
Try starting with open-ended, gentle questions about specific moments, such as “What was your favorite game today?” or “Who did you play with?” Using the FinlandWay® app photos as conversation starters can also help your child open up naturally.
Q5. How can I support my child’s learning if I’m not familiar with the topics taught at school?
The key is curiosity and encouragement. Ask your child to explain what they’re learning — teaching you helps them reinforce their own understanding. You can also explore together by reading books or watching short educational videos on the topic.
