Home Learning

Numerous studies have emphasised the significance of home learning during a child's early years, highlighting its vital role in their development. Research shows that providing additional learning opportunities at home can greatly enhance a child's reading, writing, and math skills, leading to improved academic performance. Furthermore, this early exposure to learning can enhance school readiness, promote independence, and foster creativity in the classroom.

This information has been extracted from Famly.co so be sure to take a look at the link for further information: https://famly.co/blog/management/how-to-encourage-a-stronger-home-learning-environment/

What Does a Good Home Learning Environment Look Like

Understanding the importance of play is key, as is the ability to encourage and facilitate a child’s learning. One study also tells us that the starting point needs to be a place where:

Children are listened to
Their contributions are valued
Their ideas are taken seriously
Their language and thinking are encouraged

What about specific examples? Well, many studies quote the following seven approaches:

Singing songs and nursery rhymes
Reading with the child
Visiting the library
Playing with letters and numbers
Painting and drawing
Taking children out and about
Opportunities to play with friends at home

What Do Parents Need to Know

1. The importance of play

Many parents can try and be too academic with their children’s learning in the early years, giving them activities or trying to work with them on things that they’re not ready for.

2. How to interact

The best way to interact with their children is crucial because interactions are the cornerstone of a quality home learning environment. Try to cover ideas like:

Using a wide vocabulary wherever possible
Using open-ended questions – and waiting for the child to answer
Being positive and encouraging
Giving children choices

3. The developmental stages

In surveys, many parents have noted that they struggled to understand age-appropriate activities at different stages of their child’s development.