4 Ways to support your child's learning activities after school

Most parents tend to leave all the teaching and learning responsibility to teachers, without finding ways of helping their kids out while at home. Supporting your child's learning activities after school keeps them confident and allows them to get a better grasp of school learning material.

There are simple ways you can keep your child productive even after school (without wearing them out). Here are four ways to do it.

1. Teach your child the alphabet

Learning the alphabet is a continuous process that shouldn't stop at school. While in the classroom, teachers will often provide activities and learning materials that help your child slowly grasp the alphabet. You can sharpen up your child's skills after school by teaching them how to say and write their name.

Make it fun by adding various colouring and tracing tools. You can also take advantage of technology by buying your child electronic alphabet games (typically available on tablets and other children's toys).

2. Get them excited about colours

As important as learning the alphabet is, learning about colours is also a basic foundation for your child. After school, you can keep your child's brain engaged in the colour world by designing your home accordingly.

Rather than having your child read about colours in a book, bring the lesson to life by changing the colours in their room on a regular basis (try biweekly or monthly). You can also serve their food in colourful bowls (preferably of a single, vibrant colour).

As your child gets better at learning basic colours, proceed to hang artwork around the playroom or their bedroom so you can emphasise specific themes. Your goal is to have the child associate various colours with what those colours represent in real life.

3. Encourage them to read books

Encouraging your child to read doesn't mean giving them a pile of books to sift through. Instead, help your child in polishing up their reading skills by giving them the freedom to pick a book they like.

As your child progresses in learning the alphabet at school, have them read a few pages of the book out loud to you about once or twice a week. This allows you to polish up your child's diction and word pronunciation.

4. Make it fun

Finally, make the learning process fun and engaging. Don't force your child to learn complicated concepts when they're tired or not in the mood. The key is to be patient and to make your child excited about learning while at home.

For more information and tips, contact your local child care centre today.