Help primary school children continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Advice for parents and carers looking after primary school children.
Applies to England
From the beginning of the autumn term, the DfE will expect all pupils, in all year groups, to return to school full-time. Information on what parents and carers need to know about the opening of schools is available.
It is vital for all children to return to school for their educational progress, for their wellbeing and for their wider development.
The latest update includes:
- updated information on the re-opening of libraries
- a link to top tips to encourage children to read
While staying at home due to coronavirus (COVID-19), parents and carers may be concerned about their children’s education and the effect of missing school.
No one expects parents to act as teachers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school would. Speak to your school, which will be planning work for your child to do. Parents and carers should do their best to help children and support their learning.
Available resources
Alongside any work your child receives from school, try using these online educational resources.
Educational programmes to help primary school children learn at home are available from the BBC.
To encourage reading, we’ve brought together 10 top tips to encourage children to read.
Libraries in England are able to open from 4 July and digital library resources can be found at Libraries Connected.
Structuring the day
Do not worry about trying to keep your child to the full routine they had at school. However, children will feel more comfortable and learn better with a predictable routine to the day, even if this is difficult.
When schools provide your child with work they may give you advice on how to structure the day. However, you should try to make sure that they:
- get up and go to bed at the same time each day
- have regular meal times
- have regular breaks
- make time to be active – children are used to regular play at lunch and break times
Using digital devices
Your child’s school may set them work to do on a digital device such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone.
Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices your child uses and supervise their use of websites and apps. See advice on keeping them safe online and talk to your child about online safety.
Reducing screen time
Digital devices are not the only way to learn. Manage screen time with a timer and break up screen time by getting your child to:
- use books and other printed materials that their school has provided or that you have at home
- write by hand – try asking them to complete work by hand, write a diary, a summary of things they’ve done each day or ‘to do’ lists
- be active and get away from the screen regularly – see these physical activity resources for primary school children
- stop using digital devices at least an hour before bed
Reception, year 1 and year 2 children
Children in reception and year 1 are expected to be able to return to school from 1 June, based on the latest scientific advice. The youngest children are being prioritised as they’re at the start of their school lives and are mastering the essential basics, including:
- counting
- reading and writing
- learning to socialise with their classmates
The best way to help children aged 4 to 7 learn is to:
- sit with them as they work
- do active and practical things, rather than trying to make them sit and listen for long periods
- try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
- take frequent breaks
- praise or reward them when they do well
Talking
Talk with your child throughout the day and explain new words. For example, discuss the things you’re doing and pick out words that might be new to them.
Reading together
When you read with your child try to:
- express the emotion in the story
- give colour to the characters using voices, tone and pace
- discuss the things you’re reading
- explain any new words and ask your child to say them out loud
You can make a story more interesting and help your child develop their understanding of a book by linking what you’re reading to real life. For example, while reading about Cinderella going to the ball, talk about how a ball is similar to a birthday party.
Ask your child questions about what you’re reading as you go. For example:
- ask some questions that only need a short answer, such as what colour something is, or the name of a character
- ask some questions that need a longer answer, such as how a character is feeling
- ask them to tell you what has happened in the story so far and what might happen next
For more ideas, see 10 top tips to encourage children to read.
Phonics
Phonics is a method schools use to teach children how to read quickly and skilfully.
Contact your school, which will be working on ways to help you with this. Try to sit with your child and practise with them, following the advice you get from their school.
Writing
Help your child to practise their writing. For younger children this might include forming letters and being familiar with pens and pencils, while for older children it could include writing stories.
Ask your child to write about their day-to-day experiences of being at home, or to write letters to send to family members.
Numbers
Practise counting and numbers with your child. This does not always have to be a planned activity. For example, count things around the house while you’re doing other things like cooking or cleaning.
For older children learning sums, ask your school for help.
See a list of resources to help with maths.
Year 3 to 6 children
The best way to help children aged 7 to 11 learn is to:
- give them support and direction, but encourage them to do work independently too
- include active and practical things, rather than trying to make them sit and work for long periods
- try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
- take frequent breaks
- praise or reward them when they do well
To check if they’re learning try to:
- ask them questions as they go
- talk about things they learned
Reading
Talk to your child about what they’re reading. This will help them understand what they’ve read. Try to encourage them to read for fun, as well as reading for school.
Ask your child questions about what they’re reading. For example:
- ask questions that make them think about the story, such as how a character is feeling
- ask them to tell you what has happened in the story so far
For more ideas, see 10 top tips to encourage children to read.
Writing
Try to help your child practise their writing. They may be set work by their school to do on a digital device, but using pen and paper as well will help them be ready for when they return to the classroom.
Additional information for parents of year 6 children
Children in year 6 are expected to be able to return to school from 1 June, based on the latest scientific advice. They’re being prioritised because they’re finishing key stage 2 and preparing for the move to secondary school. As such, they’ll benefit from time with their friends and teachers to make sure they’re ready.
In the meantime, follow any advice given to you by school and continue helping your child to learn at home.
To prepare for going to secondary school this can be a good time for them to follow their own interests. For example, for:
- history, by visiting the English Heritage website to explore England’s history
- geography, by researching other countries
- science, by finding out more about the human body on BBC Bitesize
- art, by trying the activities on TATE Kids
Ask your primary school about how you can help your child prepare for moving up to secondary school.
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 July 2020 + show all updates
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Updated information about the re-opening of libraries and added link to '10 top tips to encourage children to read'.
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Information added regarding returning to school for some children.
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First published.