7 expert-approved ways to support your child’s learning at home without becoming a pushy parent

With so many options, the world of at home educational help can be confusing — so we’ve got a guide to help you figure out what’s best for your child.

We spoke to Dr. Sasha Hall, a senior educational psychologist at Hall and Co Eps, about how to help your child’s learning without overwhelming or pressuring them.

She says: “Additional support should empower, not overwhelm. The goal is to help them thrive, not to add more pressure to their already busy lives.”

Health and wellbeing

The first thing parents should think about when trying to support their children’s education at home isn’t actually their education — it’s their general health and wellbeing, because children can learn best when they are happy and healthy.

“Do not underestimate the power of routines, predictable rhythms around sleep, meals, and study times, which help children feel secure and prepared for learning,” Sasha says. “Supporting your child does not require perfection, just presence, patience, and perspective.”

“Encourage play, free time, and rest alongside structured learning,” she adds.

Having a healthy breakfast can be a great way to start off your child’s school day. Lindsey MacDonald, chief executive at the children’s charity Magic Breakfast, says: “Breakfast has a bigger impact on children’s learning than many people realise. A nutritious start to the day helps pupils concentrate, stay focused and feel ready to take part in school. This is why school breakfasts improve education outcomes as well as health outcomes. They also support emotional wellbeing, confidence and a child's sense of belonging at school.”

“At Magic Breakfast, we see every day how something as simple as breakfast can help children and young people thrive — not just in the classroom, but in their friendships, routines and futures. It’s a small moment that sets the tone for the whole day and every child deserves that start.”

Nurture a healthy mindset around education

On top of the physical, parents can help build their children’s emotional wellbeing too, which will help them build resiliency and a positive attitude towards their schooling.

Sasha says: “As parents, how we approach challenges, learning, mistakes, and rest powerfully shapes how our children do the same. If they see us trying something new, talking about our effort rather than success, or admitting when we are tired or unsure, they learn those behaviours are okay too.

“Also, connection always comes before learning. If a child feels emotionally safe and understood, they are far more likely to thrive academically.”

When talking about school, Sasha recommends the following:

• Start by actively listening to how they are feeling about schoolwork and notice when they seem overwhelmed.
• Celebrate effort over results to build motivation that comes from within.
• Avoid comparing your child to others as every child develops at their own pace, and if your child starts making comparisons, help them reframe it with empathy and perspective.

“When you collaborate with your child in goal setting and decision-making, they are more likely to stay engaged and emotionally healthy,” she adds.

Learning through play and entertainment

“Learning through play is key, as children learn best when they are enjoying the process,” Sasha says. “Outdoor and interactive play, such as arts and crafts, can be incredibly effective and does not need to be expensive or tech based.”

“In fact, low-tech, free or inexpensive activities often offer more developmental value than screens or paid-for tools. You do not need to reinvent the wheel, keep it simple, joyful, and led by your child’s curiosity,” she says.

MadeForMums compiled a list of the best learning, logic and STEM toys for the MadeForMums Toy Awards 2024, including board games and science kits.

Other ways to learn this way include educational videos on YouTube, like those by Ms. Rachel; TV programmes like Horrible Histories; and doing puzzles and word games.

Plus, nurturing a reading habit in children can go a long way: a 2023 study found a strong link between children who began reading for pleasure at an early age, and better performance in cognitive tests and at school. Plus, a 2015 study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies found that better reading skills in childhood were associated with higher wages at ages 38 and 42.

For kids who can’t be tempted away from their phones, TikTok has launched their #SummerSkills Programme, which is running over the summer holidays, with TikTok Lives streamed on different topics each week. This includes a STEM week, a Literature week, and a Wellbeing week.

Helping with homework

“Parental support with homework should be minimal and strategic. The aim is to scaffold, not complete, the task for them. This encourages independence, problem-solving and genuine learning,” Sasha says.

“Focus on helping your child develop skills like how to research, think critically and persevere through challenges,” she adds.

The easiest way to help with children’s homework is to provide a space where they can do their homework each day, whether that’s the kitchen table, a desk in their room, taking them to the library. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just make it clean and consistent.

Depending on your child, you can also create a routine for them, so they know when they have the time to do their homework. Try not to make homework a chore, and instead just make it part of their daily after-school routine.

Doing your children’s homework for them can send the message that their work has to be perfect all the time, or that they don’t have to put effort in at school.

“Praise their effort, not just their results, and let them make mistakes. This builds emotional resilience and prepares them for lifelong learning,” Sasha says. “Your role is to guide, not direct, give them room to grow and develop a healthy, positive attitude toward learning.”

Extra resources

There are loads of apps, websites, books, etc out there that promise extra-curricular learning for children.

The parental support charity Parentkind has compiled a list of the best resources to help your child learn at home, including the coding platform Scratch, cross-curricular BBC Bitesize, PhonicsPlay which helps parents understand phonics, and Oak National Academy which has resources for kids in reception through Year 10.

You can also chat to your child’s teacher about extra resources — the school may have preferred platforms that match their teaching styles, or access to paid services that you can use at home.

When should you look into tutoring for your child?

“Before exploring tutoring or extra resources, consider your child’s whole environment. Is the homework appropriate for their stage? Speak with their teacher or the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator first. Sometimes, the work simply needs adjusting or your child may need extra support strategies in class or at home. It is important to try all in-school and at-home supports before investing externally,” Sasha says.

If you do decide to go down the tutoring route, there are different types of tutoring you can choose, and you should figure out what would work best for your child and their academic goals.

Here are some different types of tutoring to explore:

• Teens and young adults in your community
• Established chains of tutoring centres like ExploreLearning and Kumon
• Independent tutoring centres
• Online tutoring
• Tutoring for specific exams or events, like the 11+, GCSEs, or A Levels.

It's important to note that children don’t need tutoring for SATs — they are supposed to test their skills and attainment using what they have learned from the national curriculum at school, not how much they know.

“Think about cost — tutoring and extra materials should never be a financial strain,” Sasha says. “If it is affordable, and your child is still struggling despite other changes, then tutoring may help, but include your child in the decision. If they understand the purpose of tutoring and feel part of the process, they are more likely to engage positively.”

Can co-curricular activities enhance a child’s education?

Co-curricular activities are different to extra curriculars. Where extra curriculars are separate to any education your child receives, co-curriculars intertwine with and enrich your child’s education.

Examples might include:

• Drama and dance classes
• Playing an instrument
• Academic clubs like debate clubs and science clubs
• Partaking in youth councils.

Extra curriculars have a reputation as expensive and time-consuming, with parents having to drive around all day dropping kids off. But co-curriculars don’t have to cost much or involve leaving the house at all — think learning to code on a laptop, learning an instrument through online lessons or free YouTube videos, or painting.

Don’t feel pressure to pack your child’s schedule with extra or co-curricular activities, though.

“If every moment is scheduled, they lose the opportunity to reflect, make connections, and enjoy being children,” Sasha says.

Be careful not to overdo it, or kids might burn out

It’s important to remember that “overloading children with extra educational activities can negatively impact both their progress and mental health,” Sasha says. “Learning takes time, and children need downtime to process new information through rest and play. Unstructured time is not wasted time, it is when creativity, imagination, and self-regulation develop.”

“If a child is constantly busy, they might begin to resist learning altogether. It is essential to strike a balance: nurture their curiosity and challenge them when appropriate, while giving them the space to breathe. The best learning often happens when children are relaxed, having fun, and feel safe to explore without pressure,” she says.

Trying to make every moment educational “can also send the message that their value is tied to achievement and productivity, which can lead to anxiety or low self-esteem,” she adds.

Children may also burn out if they are under too much academic pressure.

Here’s how to tell if a child is burned out:

• Changes in behaviour and mood, like becoming resistant to school or homework, or showing reluctance and tears
• Increased irritability and angry outbursts
• Fatigue
• Difficulties with focus and memory
• A lack of interest in things they once enjoyed
• Struggling to make decisions
• Sleep and appetite can also change

“These signs can be subtle at first but build over time if unaddressed. It is important not to dismiss this as just a “bad mood” or “laziness” — burnout is real and can affect a child’s emotional well-being and academic engagement,” Sasha says.

If you think your child may be burned out, “the key is to tune in, observe, and allow for gentle conversations about how they are feeling,” Sasha says. “If they are showing signs of overwhelm, they likely need rest, reduced expectations, and a supportive space to recharge. Recognising and responding early makes a huge difference to their long-term resilience.”