Help at Home
A calmer way to support learning at home- starting with one small change.
Helping Your Child at Home
Many parents want to support their child's learning at home but aren't quite sure where to begin. This is a very common experience for families.
Sometimes a child who is perfectly capable begins to avoid spelling practice or times tables. Homework can become something everyone dreads.
Other parents notice a loss of confidence. Their child starts saying things like "I'm not good at this" or "I hate maths"
And some parents are simply trying to help with the practice schools suggest - spellings, reading, times tables - but have never been shown how to do this in a way that works.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
Small changes in how practice happens at home can make a big difference.
Common questions parents ask
What do I do if my child refuses to do homework?
If homework regularly turns into a battle, it's often not about laziness. Many children are being asked to practise in a way that feels uncomfortable or overwhelming, so they avoid it. One of the most effective changes you can make is to change the format completely. Instead of relying on a worksheet, or sitting down to "do homework", practice can be built into quick, simple games. This helps reduce pressure and makes it much easier for children to keep going. This game-based approach is at the heart of the Parent Support Hub, where practice is designed to feel manageable, engaging and effective over time.
You can sample some simple ways to reset practice in the sections below, or scroll down to find out more about the Parent Support Hub.
How can I help my child with spellings?
For many families, spelling practice gets avoided or left until the last minute. What should be a short daily task can quickly turn into frustration - for both parent and child. Part of the difficulty is that parents are rarely shown how to help. You're given a list of words, but no advice about how to practise them in a way that actually works. Or children are asked to use online spelling programmes, which don't always suit the way they learn, increase screen time and once again leave parents unsure how to support. A helpful place to start can be to make practice quicker, lighter and more varied. Try these two activities here.
What's the best way to practise times tables?
Times tables can be a source of anxiety for many children. The timed nature of tests and many of the online practice programs, the worry about getting answers wrong and being embarrassed in front of friends can all make children feel uncomfortable. In addition the prospect of learning twelve facts in each of the times tables can be overwhelming. It's rarely a one-time process; many children need to revisit facts repeatedly before the facts stick. This means practice needs to be short, manageable, fun and varied. If your child is avoiding practice, or you are looking for a way to introduce it in a more positive way, changing the approach can make a big difference. See a simple way to make practice feel easier here.
How long should homework practice take?
Homework can easily stretch on for too long. What starts as a short task can turn into a long, tiring session that leaves everyone frustrated and no-one looking forward to the next time. In most cases, longer, infrequent sessions don't lead to better learning. Children are much more likely to remember what they practise when it is done in shorter more regular sessions. See how to make practice sessions easier here.
Introducing the Parent Support Hub
I've created the Parent Support Hub because I see these same struggles again and again in the children I work with. The ideas inside are the ones I use every day to help children move forward - and they are things you can do at home to support your child in a way that feels manageable and positive.
Inside the Parent Support Hub, you'll find practical support you can use straight away. For example:
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guidance on preparing for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, including how to practise effectively without pressure
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simple ways to help your child learn spellings without battles
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ideas to make spelling practice feel more like a game and less like a chore
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clear explanations to help you understand how your child is learning and how best to support them
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an approach that builds confidence and helps your child enjoy learning
Everything is designed to be simple, manageable and easy to fit into family life - without adding pressure.
You can start in whichever way feels right for you.
You might like to choose something simple first, or explore everything right now!
Option 1
Try One Small Change Tonight
A simple way to change how practice feels at home- often from the very first try. You will receive a short series of emails showing you how to reset (or introduce) the approach to homework, reduce resistance and make practice feel more manageable. It also gives a clear sense of the approach I use with children every day.
Option 2
Join the Parent Support Hub
Access all the ideas, guidance and resources straight away so you can begin supporting your child with confidence.