Fun ways to help your child learn

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Encouraging your child, whatever their age, to learn new things can be satisfying and worthwhile for both of you if you bear in mind these seven golden rules:

Make learning lots of fun
Encourage - don't insist!
Stimulate your children's interest by chatting to them
Have singalongs
Share reading time
Involve them in decisions
Take them on visits

Below is information about how to help babies learn but if your kids are a bit older with got top tips for them too. Click on an age group below to find out more:

- Pre-school: (under 5)
- Reception and Year 1: (5 & 6 year olds)
- Years 2, 3 and 4: (7-9 year olds)

Babies

The brain grows faster now than at any other time. Stimulation will aid their development and create a foundation for better learning.

What you can do:

Share picture books to help encourage reading (and develop eye muscles).
Change the scenery: go to the park, visit a friend or a baby group.
Chat and sing constantly: babies love to listen to people's voices and will quickly pick up words.

Buys to help:

Baby Bright DVDs help early learning with bright animation. They cost £12.99 each from Asda and Sainsbury's.
Count & Play book, £18.50 from www.smartstart-toys.co.uk helps to develop their memory, maths skills and language.

Learning online:

The website www.literacytrust.org.uk encourages parents to talk more to help with language skills.
www.funwithspot.com has simple games to play and Spot stories for you to read to them.

Next: Help your 3-5 year old learn

By Liz Silvester