Helping your child learn - ages 4-9

Learning for 4-9 years | What they learn | Helping your child learn | About stages of learning |

The focus of support in early years of school should be on the development of literacy and numeracy skills.

Literacy

Literacy has various components. The NSW Board of Studies provides support for each of these:

• Reading in K-6
• Spelling in K-6
• Talking and Listening in K-6
• Writing in K-6

Reading at home is fundamental to helping your child learn.

Literacy at Curriculum K-12 Directorate also offers support materials for parents.

Translated documents supporting this literacy program are also available.

Numeracy

The Mathematics K-6 syllabus has six strands: working mathematically, number, patterns and algebra, data, measurement, space and geometry. Advice on numeracy is available at:

• Introducing the Mathematics K-6 Syllabus to Parents and School Community Members (PDF - 186 KB) published by the NSW Board of Studies, provides examples of activities you can do at home with your child, for each number strand.
• Numeracy (Curriculum K-12 website) - offers strategies to help with numeracy at home.
• Parents Count Too - pamphlets in a variety of languages with activities that can be used at home to support each of the mathematics strands.
• Count Me In Too also offers strategies for parents to support the development of skills in number, space and measurement.
• National Numeracy and Literacy Week, an Australian Government initiative, offers useful links and fun support for parents including brochures, useful web sites and fun activities you can do with your child.
• The Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO) and the Australian Parents Council publish a comprehensive list of literacy and numeracy links in the publication entitled Directory of Family Resources.

Remember if problems occur or you have any questions about your child's learning, contact the school and arrange to talk with your child's teacher/s.

Gifted and talented

Gifted and talented students are found in all communities. The Gifted and Talented Education site provides advice to parents and carers on the needs and characteristics of gifted and talented children and the provisions for them in government schools.

Homework

Homework reinforces work done at school and helps develop skills such as research and time management. Parents and carers have the opportunity to help their child through a positive and supportive approach to homework.

Some homework tips include:

• setting a regular time and a quiet place for homework
• planning the work to be done and the time to be spent on each task
• taking short breaks between homework tasks
• praising your child for their efforts, not just their results
• if problems occur, talk to your child's teacher.