Setting up for learning at home

What to expect from your child’s teacher

Your child’s principal, preschool director or teacher should continue communicating with you through normal communication channels. They can help you find learning activities for your child to do at home.

How you can support your child

Students need routine and certainty.

You can support your child by:

creating clear routines and expectations
providing a safe and quiet space to work in
supervising them at a level appropriate to their development
checking in with them often to help manage and pace their work

monitoring how much time they spend online and balancing this with physical activity
checking communications from teachers and staying in contact with your child’s school or early learning centre.

Set up a learning space at home

Every home is different. A quiet and comfortable learning space will help your child learn.

Some students may have usual places where they do their homework. This space might not be suitable to study or learn at for a long time.

The best learning space is:

a shared family space, such as a lounge room or dining room (not in their bedroom)
a place that can be quiet at times
near a strong internet or wifi signal
somewhere that an adult is present and monitoring the learning
near the items your child needs for learning, including stationery and power points
free from trip hazards
open, with natural light and without glare
somewhere with a comfortable chair and desk or table.

Create routines and expectations

Setting up expectations and routines will help your child learn.

You can do this by:

maintaining normal morning and evening routines
structuring the day with regular mealtimes and bedtimes
setting up the day based on their regular schedule or timetable
starting and ending each day with a ‘check-in’
making sure they understand what’s expected of them
encouraging regular food and drink break times throughout the day, as well as small breaks for stretching or to move around
checking in with them throughout the day to help keep them focused and on track.

Communicate with your child and stay connected

You can stay involved with your child’s learning by asking them questions. This helps them to manage the instructions they receive from the school and to set priorities for their learning.

At the start of the day, ask:

What are you learning today?
What are your learning targets or goals?
How will you be spending your time?
What resources do you need?
What support do you need?

At the end of the day, ask:

What did you learn from today?
What did you like about today’s activities?
What was challenging? How can we work through the challenge?
What went well today? Why were they good?
Are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something?
Do you need help with something to help tomorrow be more successful

Make the most of everyday activities in your household

There are lots of things to learn about in the home. One example is cooking. Involve your child in the process. This could include reading recipes, measuring ingredients, taste testing, or reviewing. Continue to communicate with your child by asking questions before, during and after the activity.

Connect with your child’s teacher, classmates and school

Set up new ways to communicate, and maintain existing ways your child catches up with their friends and teacher. This could be on the phone, a video call, through email or an old-fashioned post card or pen-pal.

Doing this will help students to feel connected to others and not isolated.

Connect with extended family

Don’t forget to continue connecting with extended family and loved ones. You and your child can share the learning that has been happening in your home.