Helping your child to learn at home

Ways to support learning and development at home

• Encourage independence e.g. toileting, washing hands, eating, using cutlery.
• Encourage them to get dressed independently e.g. practise taking off and putting on a coat and shoes.
• Show them how to do different fastenings e.g. buttons, zips. This strengthens muscles and develops fine motor control.
• Share stories together every day. Ask questions as you read. Can you guess what is happening from the pictures?
• Retell familiar stories together. What happens next? Which is your favourite part?
• Sing simple nursery rhymes and songs. This will give your child some of the skills they need to start reading.
• Count anything and everything both at home and outdoors e.g. as you climb the stairs or choose the apples when shopping.
• Recognising numbers and shapes. Help your child to spot numbers and shapes in their environment, go on a number or shape hunt.
• Talk to your child about changes in the weather and things they observe outdoors.
• As you cook food give them opportunities to build strength in their fingers by practising using kitchen utensils and cutlery.
• Develop gross motor skills e.g. play outside, climb, jump, dance, play football, go for a walk, scoot, swim, ride a bike.
• Encourage your child to tidy up and respect their own and others belongings.
• Talk to your child about starting Nursery, meeting new friends and playing with different things.
• Have fun together - following their curiosities and interests.