Padlet of Home Schooling Resources, School Improvement Liverpool (launched 18th March 2020)
https://padlet.com/seanjones1/q7yfgbq970v2
DfE list of online educational resources to help children to learn at home (published 7th April 2020)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-educationresources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education
DfE Guidance (published 19th April 2020)
Help primary school children continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Advice for parents and carers looking after primary school children.
While staying at home due to coronavirus (COVID-19), parents and carers will be concerned about their
children’s education and the impact of missing school.
No one expects parents to act as teachers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school would.
Speak to your school who will be planning work for your child to do. Parents and carers should do their
best to help children and support their learning.
Structuring the day
Do not worry about trying to maintain a full routine for your child like they had at school. But children will
feel more comfortable and learn better with a predictable routine to the day, even if this is difficult.
When schools provide children with work they may give you advice on how to structure the day. But
generally, you should try to make sure that they:
get up and go to bed at the same time each day
have regular meal times
have regular breaks
make time to be active – children are used to regular play at lunch and break times
Using digital devices
Your child’s school may set them work that can be done on a digital device such as a laptop, desktop,
tablet or smartphone.
Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices your child is using and supervise their use of websites
and apps. See advice on keeping them safe online and talk to your child about online safety.
Reducing screen time
Digital devices are not the only way to learn. Manage screen time with a timer and break up screen time by
getting your child to:
use books and other printed materials that their school has provided or that you have at home
write by hand – try asking them to complete work by hand, write a diary, a summary of things they have
learned or done each day or ‘to do’ lists
be active and get away from the screen regularly – see a selection of physical activity resources for primary
school children
stop using digital devices at least an hour before bed
Reception, year 1 and year 2 children
The best way to help children aged 4 to 7 learn is to:
sit with them as they work
do active and practical things, rather than trying to make them sit and listen for long periods
try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
take frequent breaks
praise or reward them when they do well
Talking
Talk with your child throughout the day and try to explain new words. For example, discuss everything you
are doing and pick out words that might be new to them.
Reading together
When you read with your child try to:
express the emotion in the story
give colour to the characters using voices, tone and pace
discuss the things you are reading
You can make a story more interesting and help your child develop their understanding of a book by linking
what you are reading to their life. For example, while reading about Cinderella going to the ball, talk about
how a ball is similar to a birthday party.
Ask your child questions about what you are reading as you go. For example:
ask some questions that only need a short answer, such as what colour something is, or the name of a
character
ask some questions that need a longer answer, such as how a character is feeling
ask them to tell you what has happened in the story so far
Libraries are currently closed, but you can find digital services they are providing at Libraries Connected.
Phonics
Phonics is a method schools use to teach children how to read quickly and skilfully.
Contact your school, which will be working on ways to help you with this. Try to sit with your child and
practise with them, following the advice you get from their school.
Writing
Try to help children to continue to practise their writing. This may include the formation of letters and
familiarity with pens and pencils for younger children, or practising creative writing for older children.
Ask children to write about their day-to-day experiences of being at home, or to write letters to send to
family members.
Numbers
Practise counting and numbers. This does not always have to be a planned activity. For example, count
things around the house while you are doing other things like cooking or cleaning.
For older children learning sums, ask your school for help or see a list of resources to help with maths
recommended by teachers and school leaders.
Year 3 to 6 children
The best way to help children aged 7 to 11 learn is to:
give them support and direction, but encourage them to do work independently too
include active and practical things, rather than trying to make them sit and work for long periods
try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
take frequent breaks
praise or reward them when they do well
To check if they are learning try to:
ask them questions as they go
talk about things they learned
Talking
Ask children to talk through what they have learned during the day and find time to talk with them more
generally.
Reading
Talk to your child about what they are reading. This will help them understand what they have read and
encourage them to read for fun.
Ask your child questions about what they are reading. For example:
ask questions that make them think about the story, such as how a character is feeling
ask them to tell you what has happened in the story so far
Libraries are currently closed, however, you can find digital services they are providing at Libraries
Connected.
Writing
Try to help children practise their writing. Work from school may be sent digitally, but using pen and paper
will help children be ready for when they go back to school.
Information for parents of year 6 children
Year 6 children (aged 10 to 11) should continue doing any work set for them by their school.
To prepare for going to secondary school this can be a good time for them to follow their own interests.
For example, for:
history, by visiting the English Heritage website to explore England’s history
geography, by researching other countries
science, by finding out more about the human body on BBC Bitesize
art, by trying the activities on TATE Kids
Ask your primary school about how you can help your child prepare for moving up to secondary school.
BBC Bitesize (launched 20th April 2020)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znbnscw
Bitesize has 150 new lessons every week to keep you on track with your learning.
You’ll find daily lessons for home schooling in Maths and English for every year group, as well as regular
lessons in Science, History, Geography and more.
The home schooling lessons have been created with teachers and other educational experts. They feature
a mix of videos, animations, practice activities, quizzes and games.
Oak National Academy (launched 20th April 2020)
Backed by the DfE, it will provide 180 video lessons each week, across a broad range of subjects from
maths to art to languages, for every year group from Reception through to Year 10.
https://www.thenational.academy/