10 Ways to Support a Child’s Learning at Home

Effective methods to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing development.
IMPORTANT: Updated Information
Information impacting childcare is being updated on a frequent basis. You can track the latest information here- COVID-19 Childcare Updates.
Here are 10 ways to support your child’s learning at home, and encourage responsible habits to continue a successful education.
1. Be Communicative and Available
While they might be playing and exploring in isolation, your child should never feel alone during home learning. Always make yourself available to discuss anything your child needs, from difficulties and frustrations to learning goals and daily achievements.
2. Follow Their Usual Routine
Just because they can play in their pyjamas, that doesn’t mean children should skip their usual routines. Make sure they’re clean and dressed each morning, eat a proper breakfast and take their usual snack and lunch breaks.
3. Understand Learning Games For Kids
Take the time to learn about the learning games your child is partaking in, including how they interact and engage with imaginative play. Let your child explore new opportunities for play learning while also being there to support and guide.
4. Monitor Their Learning
If you identify specific areas your child is struggling with, contact their childcare to understand more around learning activities for toddlers and how to nurture toddler learning at home.
5. Engage in Active Learning
Don’t let one learning activity take up the whole day. Encourage your child to talk or ask questions about their activities, engage in social learning or spend time discussing and understanding their interests.
6. Encourage Independence
It’s important to allow your child to tackle each challenge independently before stepping in to help. As long as they know they can ask at any time, you won’t need to hover around them as they play and learn.
Give children some space to cultivate their own interests. Letting children pursue their own interests is another great way to build proficiency.
National survey for The Early Years Insights 2020
7. Avoid Getting Stuck on Tasks
When your child gets bored or frustrated, and you’re not sure how to help, it’s sometimes easiest to take a break to keep up their momentum throughout the day. If keeping them engaged for long periods of time is too difficult, you might consider contacting their childcare about it for help.
8. Limit Their Distractions
The iPad can be as distracting as it is helpful, but you don’t need to strictly limit screen time to educational purposes only. Set aside time for the recreational side of technology and make sure your child understands the difference between break and work time.
A safe, friendly environment is a great place for children to learn how to behave responsibly on the Internet.
National survey for The Early Years Insights 2020
9. Stay Health Conscious
Mental health is always a concern with the isolation of home learning and current state of affairs. Be sure to check in with your child every day, take exercise breaks when their energy is low and make healthy eating choices for their meals.
10. Stay Positive
Kids learning at home can be challenging. It’s important to be honest with your child and keep them informed about your plans moving forward. You should always strive to maintain a positive attitude towards their home education and make sure they feel safe, happy and willing to learn.
Further information
- Visit the COVID-19: Childcare Resources for latest news updates, understanding your responsibilities are to parents & children during the COVID-19 pandemic, when you should close your service, and how to get financial advice & assistance, and other key childcare-related information.
- Please visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment Frequently Asked Questions for more information for providers and services and Coronavirus (COVID-19) for the latest education and training sector fact sheets.
- The CCS Helpdesk is available to assist with information for services to help them manage the impacts on their business. Please email the CCS Helpdesk on ccshelpdesk@dese.gov.au, send in your query via an online form or call 1300 667 276 between 9.00 am — 5.00 pm (AEDST), Monday to Friday.
Please make sure that if you are a child care provider or service you have subscribed to receive communications from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.