5 steps to school success
Published
With more than half of UK school parents feeling they need more guidance on supporting learning at home, Charlotte Gater at Explore Learning offers five lesser-known modern techniques to transform how children learn in 2025.
1. Start the term with goals
Ask children to think about their goals and then help them write them down or write them down for them. You could encourage your child to include one ‘dream big’ goal, like reading a book which is a couple of steps beyond anything they’ve tackled before. This ambitious thinking can spark creativity and determination. Also try to set a couple of achievable targets for your child to aspire to.
2. Turn screen time into success time
Instead of limiting screen time, parents can transform it into a powerful learning ally. Video games can enhance problem-solving skills and strategic thinking, while educational YouTube channels can bring subjects to life. The key is finding the right mix of educational content and entertainment that works for your child – whether that's practicing times tables through apps or unwinding with age-appropriate games.
3. Match your strategy to the content
Different learning areas require different approaches. For maths and science, regular problem-solving practice helps understanding. Language benefits from active techniques, like making up and discussing stories. Parents can help by focusing on building confidence and reinforcing learning strategies throughout the year.
4. Break learning into bite-sized chunks – with a twist
Modern attention spans have led to the introduction of micro-learning – delivering content in small, focused segments. Take this approach even further with 'interleaving', a technique where kids mix different but related topics in each study session. This approach not only matches children's natural attention spans but helps them make connections between topics and retain information more effectively.
5. Help children understand why they’re learning
Kids perform better when they understand how their learning can benefit others, not just themselves: for example, showing how scientific studies can help animals or how new technologies can benefit society. Connecting learning to real-world outcomes creates deeper engagement and can really boost motivation.
