3 ways children can learn and develop skills at home

The education system has changed a little this year due to COVID-19. A lot of exams have been cancelled and pupils across the country have had to learn from home.

With children adapting to learning from a different environment, there are skills that can be developed from the comfort of your own home.

Here are 3 ways children can learn and develop skills at home:

1. Reading

• Reading is great for enhancing your child’s development. It is easy to practice regular reading from home, too.
• Ask your child to write down a list of new words they discover. Then look up the word in the dictionary together and get them to write it down and learn it.
• Establish a regular routine to ensure they read often. This could be half an hour every morning or evening.
• If your child is stuck with pronunciation, help them to break down the word and sound it out. This way, their phonics will be improved.

2. Coding

• Coding is a great new skill for children to learn. Especially as they are growing up with and surrounded by technology.
• There are many apps and websites which will serve as a great introduction to teaching children coding.
• Coding has many transferrable skills, including problem solving, learning sequences and logical thinking.

3. Critical thinking

• Introducing critical thinking to children at an early age teaches them to think for themselves. It is a life skill, learning how to solve problems independently through logic.
• Instead of asking “what?”, encourage children to use “how?” and “why?” These sorts of questions require more in-depth answers. It also teaches children to challenge concepts more.
• By prompting children to ask more in-depth questions, critical thinking also ensures that they make their own judgments.

5 tips for teaching your children spellings

Learning spellings is important for all children. It is beneficial for many things, including reading, writing and pronunciation.

As a parent you can make spelling fun when testing your children on their spellings at home.

Try our 5 tips for teaching your children spellings:

1. Group words with similar spelling patterns so they can be remembered easily.

For example, words ending in -ough can be grouped together: tough, rough, enough, cough… This will help your child with letter patterns, too!

2. Colour code spellings for easier memorisation

By colour coding spellings it makes them more visual and fun to learn. You can group spellings with different colours, for example grouping the same letter patterns can help these to be remembered easier.

3. Keep a record of the spellings your child finds challenging. Then you can test these spellings repeatedly until your child gets them right.

You can keep a note of the trickier spellings so they can be referred to and practiced regularly.

4. Carry out regular spelling tests with your child.

By doing a spelling test every week their spelling should improve. This will teach them a range of new spellings. Try to vary them, so there is a variety of different word being learnt.

5. Why not try spelling games?

• You can play spelling catch. Throw a ball to your child and shout out a word. They must then spell that word once they receive the ball.
• Hangman is good for learning spelling. Start off by thinking of a word. Write the amount of lines in place of where the letters for the word would go. Then the other players must guess one letter at a time. You must make a hangman gradually for every letter that is guessed incorrectly. Every letter that is correct goes on the lines to make the word. You can use trickier spellings, allowing your child to spell out the word.
• Or give your child a spelling. From this spelling, they must spell a new word from the last letter of that spelling. This should result in a long list of words!
• For example:

Because

Element

Tedious

Suspicious

7 Educational skills to teach your child

Whilst many parents are spending valuable time at home with their children, why not try to teach them those all-important life skills.

Life skills will benefit children later in life, so it could be useful to implement these early on.

They will teach your child valuable qualities, including being independent, taking care of themselves and learning.

According to Ellen Galinsky’s Mind in the Making there are 7 important life skills:

1. Focus & Self-Control

• Children pick up habits and routine from a young age. So why not teach them how to focus and have self-control.
• Focus is to do with being alert and devoting attention to one task at a time. You can help to improve your child’s focus by dedicating time for them to complete their work. This means they can use this amount of time to concentrate on what needs to be completed in that timeframe.
• Self-control is about willpower and being aware of your own actions.
• Ways to practice this can be teaching children to avoid temptation, for example limiting time on electronic devices like tablets or watching television. This will teach children that these are a privilege.

2. Perspective-talking

• This is about encouraging children to think from different viewpoints. By considering multiple perspectives asides from their own, they can gain an all-round view.
• You can try instigating this by asking about the character’s in a book they are reading. Ask your child: what made the character do that? What made them feel the way they are feeling?
• This will develop critical thinking, as well as empathy towards others.

3. Communication

• Children need regular communication in order to develop social skills and form healthy relationships in life.
• Asking your child anything, about how they are, or how their day was, will improve their communication and build upon their social skills.
• It will also help them to express themselves better and improve their development.

4. Making connections

• Making connections means recognising the connections and patterns in everyday life. It is making associations between certain things, like thought processes or ideas.
• You can encourage children to make connections by asking them what they think they should wear in rainy weather, for example. Children should make the connection between wearing a coat in order to keep dry as a result of the rain.

5. Critical thinking

• Critical thinking is making decisions based on judgements. It is an important skill which your child will use throughout their life.
• Try asking your child open-ended questions, like “What do you think?” or “How do you feel about it?” This will encourage them to justify their though process.
• This will develop children’s decision making and forming judgements.

6. Taking on challenges

• This teaches your child that it is okay to make mistakes. By taking on challenges, children can grow and try new things.
• This could be trying something new around the house, like gardening or helping you cook.
• Children will learn to be open minded and diligent.

7. Self-directed, engaged learning

• It is important for children to enjoy learning. They won’t like every subject or task that they do, but you can help them to find what they enjoy.
• Encourage their love of learning by going through work with your child, as well as trying to limit time spent on electronic devices. This can be replaced with reading or playing educational games.

Educational activities to try with your child

How to make multiplying fractions easy

Multiplying fractions is one of the most common topics in primary and GCSE maths — and once you understand the method, it’s actually one of the easiest fraction operations to get right. This guide breaks it down step by step, with clear examples for proper fractions, whole numbers and mixed numbers.

How to Multiply Fractions: The 3-Step Method

The basic rule for multiplying fractions is simple:

1. Multiply the numerators (the top numbers) together.
2. Multiply the denominators (the bottom numbers) together.
3. Simplify the fraction if possible.

That’s it — unlike adding or subtracting fractions, you don’t need to find a common denominator first.

Worked Example: Multiplying Two Proper Fractions

Let’s try 1/2 × 1/3:

• Step 1: Multiply the numerators: 1 × 1 = 1
• Step 2: Multiply the denominators: 2 × 3 = 6
• Step 3: The answer is 1/6 — this can’t be simplified further.

Here’s another: 2/3 × 4/5:

• Numerators: 2 × 4 = 8
• Denominators: 3 × 5 = 15
• Answer: 8/15 (already in its simplest form)

How to Multiply Fractions by a Whole Number

To multiply a fraction by a whole number, turn the whole number into a fraction by putting it over 1. Then multiply as normal.

Example: 3 × 2/5

• Rewrite 3 as 3/1
• Numerators: 3 × 2 = 6
• Denominators: 1 × 5 = 5
• Answer: 6/5, which is 1 and 1/5 as a mixed number.

How to Multiply Mixed Numbers

Mixed numbers (like 1½ or 2¾) need to be converted into improper fractions before you can multiply them.

To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction:

1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator.
2. Add the numerator.
3. Put the result over the original denominator.

Example: 1½ × 2¼

• Convert 1½ → (1 × 2 + 1) / 2 = 3/2
• Convert 2¼ → (2 × 4 + 1) / 4 = 9/4
• Now multiply: 3/2 × 9/4
• Numerators: 3 × 9 = 27
• Denominators: 2 × 4 = 8
• Answer: 27/8 = 3 and 3/8

How to Simplify Your Answer

Always check if your answer can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their highest common factor.

Example: 2/4 × 3/6

• Numerators: 2 × 3 = 6
• Denominators: 4 × 6 = 24
• Answer: 6/24
• Both 6 and 24 divide by 6, so: 6/24 = 1/4

Top tip: You can also simplify before you multiply (called cross-cancelling). In the example above, you could cancel the 2 and 6 diagonally, and the 3 and 4 diagonally — making the multiplication easier.

The Visual Method: Drawing Fractions

Multiplying fractions can be made easier by drawing out the values. This makes the concept visible and is especially helpful for younger children.

Draw a rectangle, divide it into columns for the first fraction and rows for the second. The overlapping shaded area shows the answer. For 1/2 × 1/3, you’d shade half the columns and a third of the rows — the overlap is 1 out of 6 sections, confirming the answer is 1/6.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adding instead of multiplying: Some children mix up the rules and try to find a common denominator. For multiplication, just multiply straight across — top × top, bottom × bottom.
• Forgetting to simplify: Always check if the answer can be reduced to its simplest form.
• Not converting mixed numbers: You must convert mixed numbers to improper fractions before multiplying.
• Confusing numerator and denominator: The numerator is always the top number, and the denominator is always the bottom number.

Practice Problems

Try these yourself — answers are below:

1. 1/3 × 1/4 = ?
2. 2/5 × 3/7 = ?
3. 4 × 2/3 = ?
4. 1½ × 2/3 = ?
5. 2¼ × 1⅓ = ?

Answers:

1. 1/12
2. 6/35
3. 8/3 (or 2⅔)
4. 1 (3/2 × 2/3 = 6/6 = 1)
5. 3 (9/4 × 4/3 = 36/12 = 3)

When Do Children Learn to Multiply Fractions?

In the UK national curriculum:

• Year 5: Children begin multiplying proper fractions and mixed numbers by whole numbers.
• Year 6: Children learn to multiply simple pairs of proper fractions, writing the answer in its simplest form (e.g. 1/4 × 1/2 = 1/8).
• KS3 and GCSE: Multiplying fractions becomes more complex, including mixed numbers, algebraic fractions and multi-step problems.

If your child is struggling with multiplying fractions — or any area of maths — our expert Maths tutors can help build their confidence with personalised, step-by-step support.

Related Reading

• Equivalent Fractions Explained
• How to Subtract Fractions
• How to Help Your Child with Maths at Home
• Learning Times Tables
• How to Subtract Fractions in 3 Simple Steps
• Equivalent Fractions Explained

Book a free trial at one of our tuition centres in Wallington, Sutton or Croydon, or call us on 0203 189 1442.

3 ways to improve children’s memory from home

Improving your children’s memory from home can be simple and fun. There are many games and tricks to try out, like StudyBox’s 3 ways to improve children’s memory from home.

There are many games and activities to improve muscle memory, association and visualisation.

These will help children to actively engage whilst improving their memory.

Try these 3 ways to improve children’s memory from home:

Active reading

• Active reading is when children are involved with reading the text. This heightens the learning process whilst reading.
• There are many different strategies to try:
• Writing down new words or highlighting them.
• Reading aloud, to improve pronunciation.
• Critical thinking and questioning the narrative.
• Identifying literary devices, for example: alliteration, personification, hyperbole…
• Engaging with the text improves memory through active reading.

Word games

• Playing word games with children is free and easy.
• There are many word games for improving memory.
• The game ‘I went shopping and I bought…’ involves saying an item which can be found in the supermarket. Then the next player repeats the sentence and adds an item. As the game goes on, the players have to remember a long list of items, and repeat them, whilst adding on a new item each turn.
• This encourages all players to concentrate, as well as remember the long list of items.

Card games

• Playing card games, like ‘Memory’ can help to improve muscle memory.
• It involves turning placing the deck of cards spread out on a surface face down. Then take it in turns to turn over two cards at once. The participants must remember which cards have been turned over. Once two pairs of the same numbered care are turned over, the player can take the pair.
• This game improves concentration and focus. The players must memorise as many cards as possible in order to turn over pairs and complete the game.

Visualisation

• Visualising what is being taught can help children to remember more effectively.
• It allows what is being learnt to be associated with an image, which can be easily remembered.
• Children can associate images with what is being memorised.
• For example, children can create a mind map, which can be colour coded, or images can be drawn relating to the subject being memorised.

4 ways for encouraging your child to enjoy reading

Reading for pleasure comes with numerous benefits. That’s why encouraging your child to enjoy reading is the gift that keeps on giving.

It is one thing for a parent to encourage their child to read for pleasure, but it is important to teach them to appreciate it.

Here’s how:

Finding the right genre

Talk to your child about what they enjoy reading and writing about.

From this, you can try and gauge which genre they will be into.

There are so many children’s literature genres: fantasy, science fictions, mystery, non-fiction, fiction, traditional literature…

Once you establish the genre they are into, you can choose books together for your child to start reading.

Choose a book based on ability

Choosing a book too challenging may be off-putting for children who are starting to get into reading.

This is why it is vital to assess where your child is at before choosing what book they should read.

This includes the vocabulary used, the font size of the text and the length of the book.

Dedicate a time for reading:

Encourage reading to be an enjoyable part of your child’s routine. This can be done by setting a time every day for relaxing with a book.

This puts reading in a positive light, as it becomes a hobby or fun past-time.

Help them to progress

If they are finding what they are reading easy, encourage them to progress to more stimulating books. This could be books with more challenging themes or more pages.

You can ask your child if there are any new words they have come across. They can make a list of these words and you can encourage them to use these in a sentence. This will expand their vocabulary.

Equivalent Fractions Explained: A Simple Guide for Parents and Children

Equivalent fractions are one of the first fraction concepts children learn in primary school. Understanding them is essential — they form the basis for adding, subtracting, comparing, and simplifying fractions. This guide explains what equivalent fractions are, how to find them, and how to help your child master them at home.

What Are Equivalent Fractions?

Equivalent fractions are fractions that look different but represent the same value. They have different numerators (top numbers) and denominators (bottom numbers), but if you simplify them or compare them visually, they are equal.

For example:

• 1/2 is the same as 2/4, which is the same as 3/6, which is the same as 4/8.
• 2/3 is the same as 4/6, which is the same as 6/9.

Think of slicing a pizza. If you cut it into 4 slices and take 2, you have the same amount as if you cut it into 8 slices and take 4. Both are half the pizza — they are equivalent fractions.

When Do Children Learn Equivalent Fractions?

In the national curriculum, equivalent fractions are introduced in Year 3 and developed further through Years 4, 5, and 6:

• Year 3: Recognise simple equivalents like 1/2 = 2/4.
• Year 4: Find families of equivalent fractions using multiplication.
• Year 5: Identify, name, and write equivalent fractions, including simplifying.
• Year 6: Use equivalents to add and subtract fractions with different denominators.

How to Find Equivalent Fractions

There are two main methods, and both follow the same rule: whatever you do to the denominator, you must also do to the numerator.

Method 1: Multiply the Top and Bottom by the Same Number

To create an equivalent fraction, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same number:

• 1/3 → multiply both by 2 → 2/6
• 1/3 → multiply both by 3 → 3/9
• 1/3 → multiply both by 4 → 4/12

All of these — 1/3, 2/6, 3/9, 4/12 — are equivalent fractions.

Method 2: Divide the Top and Bottom by the Same Number (Simplifying)

To simplify a fraction, divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number (a common factor):

• 6/8 → divide both by 2 → 3/4
• 10/15 → divide both by 5 → 2/3
• 12/16 → divide both by 4 → 3/4

When a fraction cannot be simplified any further, it is in its simplest form.

Visual Methods That Help Children Understand

Many children find fractions easier to understand when they can see them. Here are three approaches:

Fraction Walls

A fraction wall shows bars of different sizes stacked on top of each other. Children can see at a glance that 1/2 lines up exactly with 2/4, 3/6, and 4/8. You can print fraction walls from BBC Bitesize or draw your own.

Shaded Shapes

Draw two identical circles or rectangles. Divide one into 4 parts and shade 2. Divide the other into 8 parts and shade 4. Ask your child: “Which has more shaded?” When they see both have the same amount, they have understood equivalence.

Number Lines

Draw a number line from 0 to 1. Mark 1/2 on it. Then draw another number line the same length and mark 2/4. Children can see the marks fall at exactly the same point.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Adding to top and bottom instead of multiplying. A child might think 1/3 + 1 on top and + 1 on bottom gives 2/4. It does not — you must multiply by the same number, not add.
• Only changing the numerator or only the denominator. Both must change by the same factor.
• Confusing equivalent with equal numerators. 1/3 and 1/5 have the same numerator but are not equivalent — the denominators are different sizes.

Practice Exercises to Try at Home

Here are some exercises you can work through together:

Find the Missing Number

• 1/2 = ?/6 → (Answer: 3/6)
• 2/5 = ?/10 → (Answer: 4/10)
• 3/4 = 9/? → (Answer: 9/12)
• 4/? = 8/14 → (Answer: 4/7)

True or False?

• 2/3 = 6/9 → True
• 3/5 = 6/15 → False (6/15 = 2/5)
• 4/8 = 1/2 → True

Simplify These Fractions

• 6/10 → 3/5
• 8/12 → 2/3
• 15/20 → 3/4

Related Reading

• How to Make Multiplying Fractions Easy
• How to Subtract Fractions
• How to Help Your Child with Maths at Home
• Learning Times Tables
• Signs Your Child Needs a Tutor
• When Should My Child Start Tutoring?
• How to Multiply Fractions: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Subtract Fractions in 3 Simple Steps

How StudyBox Can Help

At StudyBox, our maths tutors use visual aids, step-by-step worksheets, and plenty of practice to make sure fractions click. Whether your child is just starting equivalent fractions in Year 3 or revising for SATs in Year 6, our small-group lessons give them the focused attention they need.

Book a free trial lesson at our centres in Wallington, Sutton, or Croydon.

5 ways to support your child’s learning from home

Have you ever wondered as a parent how you can help your child with their learning?

There are many ways to support your child’s education from home, from setting a routine, to assisting with schoolwork.

Try these 5 ways to support your child’s learning from home:

Read together

Reading for pleasure with your child is beneficial for a number of reasons. It can expand their vocabulary, help pronunciation and boost creativity. If your child doesn’t need assistance with reading, try encouraging them to read a book for fun.

Go through schoolwork

Take time to go through what your child is currently learning at school together. This can help them understand the material better and memorise it by going over it again. You can ask your child if they are finding anything challenging. You can also encourage them in the areas they are good at.

Teach your child life skills

Activities like cooking and baking with your children will teach them valuable life skills, as well as being a fun activity to do together. There are plenty of useful activities that you can do together, like gardening, even household chores like tidying and hoovering.

Explore new hobbies

Take the time to introduce new hobbies and help your child to find something that excites them. This can also be a nice activity that gives them a break from television, smartphones and tablets. Try asking them what they enjoy, whether they like drawing, sports or cooking, the options are endless!

Play educational games

There are many educational games you can play at home with your child, for example, like sudoku and crosswords, which you can find printouts of online! There’s also scrabble, which is good for helping with spelling and vocabulary. You can also make up your own word and number games to play.

5 steps to help your child to maintain a positive mindset

A positive attitude is a great skill that your child can learn to acquire.

As a parent, you can encourage your child to maintain a positive mindset. You are your child’s role model in life, and taking time to listen and point them in the right direction will help them to have an optimistic approach.

Try these 5 steps to help your child to maintain a positive mindset:

Help your child to recognise their achievements

By highlighting their accomplishments, it will encourage them to keep up the good work. Give credit where credit is due., it will go a long way!

Turn negatives into positives

Instead of providing negative comments or feedback, try to turn it into something they can learn from. So, rather than criticising, why not say what they could have done better in that situation? This way, it is easier to learn from it and constantly improve.

Communication goes a long way

Ask your child what went well with their day, and if there was anything that didn’t go too well. Encouraging your child to speak about what’s on their mind will help them to get anything off of their chest.

Build upon their self-esteem

Help your child recognise what makes them unique and special. Encourage them that this is a positive trait and to embrace it. This will improve their self-esteem and self-awareness, making them able to see their strengths and skills.

Turn problems into solutions

If there’s any issues or problems that your child is facing, encourage them to think about how to resolve it. This will avoid stressing about the problem and working out a solution. Being rational is a way of overcoming negatives and working out how to fix them.

A positive mindset will compliment your child’s learning, providing an optimistic approach and a can-do attitude.