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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

• Next: Help your 3-5 year old learn

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