Home Learning Ideas
Children learn best through everyday experiences, play and spending time with the people who know them best. Many of the activities you already do at home help to develop the skills your child needs for school and for life.

Here are some simple ideas you can enjoy together. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to learn – talking, playing, exploring and having fun are what matter most.

Mathematics
Mathematics is all around us! Help your child develop their number, shape and problem-solving skills by:

• Setting up a pretend shop using food packets, toys or clothes. Add simple price labels (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p) and encourage your child to count, add or compare amounts.
• Counting the stairs as you go up or down together.
• Looking for numbers on doors, buses, houses or car registration plates when you’re out and about.
• Talking about which numbers are bigger, smaller, before or after.
• Going on a shape hunt around your home or garden. Can you find circles, squares, rectangles and triangles?
• Baking together by counting spoonfuls, weighing ingredients and talking about full, empty, more and less.

Sorting the washing into colours, sizes or family members and pairing socks together.

Literacy

Sharing books and stories every day helps children develop a lifelong love of reading.

You could:

• Read together every day, looking at the pictures and talking about the story.
• Encourage your child to hold books correctly and turn the pages independently.
• Look for letters and words on food packets, signs, labels and in the environment.
• Introduce a new word each day and talk about what it means.
• Encourage your child to draw pictures, make marks or write their name.

Write shopping lists, birthday cards, postcards or simple notes together.

Communication and Language
Talking together is one of the most valuable things you can do.

Try:

• Asking your child about the best part of their day and why.
• Talking about what you have done today and what you plan to do tomorrow.
• Singing nursery rhymes and favourite songs together.
• Playing with puppets or soft toys to make up stories.
• Asking open-ended questions such as:
• What do you think will happen next?
• Why do you think that happened?

How could we solve this problem?

Physical Development
Children need plenty of opportunities to develop both their large and small muscles.

Ideas include:

• Running, jumping, climbing, balancing and dancing.
• Throwing, catching and kicking balls.
• Squashing playdough or helping knead bread dough.
• Painting with water outdoors or drawing with chalk.
• Pegging washing onto the line.
• Threading beads, pasta or laces.
• Using child-safe scissors, crayons and pencils.

Drawing underneath a table covered with paper for a fun shoulder-strengthening activity.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
Helping children understand themselves and others builds confidence and resilience.

You could:

• Talk about feelings throughout the day.
• Ask questions such as:
• What made you happy today?
• Was anything tricky?
• How did that make you feel?
• Read stories about emotions and friendships.
• Play games that involve taking turns and sharing.

Encourage your child to help with simple jobs around the house to build independence and confidence.

Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity allows children to explore, imagine and express themselves.

Try:

• Making puppets from socks, paper bags or wooden spoons.
• Building dens with blankets and cushions.
• Listening and dancing to different types of music.
• Singing songs together.
• Painting, colouring, junk modelling or making collages.
• Creating pictures using natural materials such as leaves, sticks and flowers.
• Dressing up and acting out favourite stories.

Understanding the World
Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Encourage them to explore, investigate and ask questions.

Ideas include:

• Going on nature walks to look for birds, insects, flowers and seasonal changes.
• Growing flowers, herbs or vegetables together and caring for them.
• Cooking together and talking about where food comes from.
• Visiting local parks, libraries, museums or places of interest.
• Looking at family photographs and talking about special memories and celebrations.
• Exploring different cultures, traditions and festivals through books, music and food.
• Talking about the weather each day and noticing how it changes.
• Recycling together and discussing ways to help care for our environment.
• Using simple technology together, such as taking photographs, listening to music or using age-appropriate educational apps with adult support.Most importantly…
  Learning at home should be enjoyable. Spending time together, talking, laughing, reading, exploring and playing are some of the best ways to support your child’s development.

Every child learns at their own pace. Celebrate their achievements, encourage their curiosity and remember that the little moments each day make a big difference.