It can be tough to provide everything your child needs when you are struggling with the cost of living crisis. However, that does not mean that you have to sacrifice your child's development. There are many ways to help your child without spending a lot of money. This blog post will discuss ten inexpensive ways to help your child's development at school!

1. Read to your child every day
When it comes to helping your child develop their language and literacy skills, reading to them each day can be invaluable. Even if your child is still in nappies, having them sit with you and listen as you read can provide an important bonding experience for you. A research study published the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics revealed that reading to infants admitted into a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) helped foster increased parent-child intimacy. As a parent read aloud, their voice had an inherent calming effect.
Shared book reading, with an emphasis on reading and talking about the book - i.e. looking at pictures and/or discussing the story and the characters, is critical to literacy and language development for children. According to a study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, exposing children to one picture book daily can provide them with up to 78,000 new words each year.
If you don't have access to books at home, consider visiting your local library or searching for free online options. Make reading a daily part of your family routine, whatever route you choose!
2. Have regular conversations with your child about their school work and interests
Staying involved with your child's education and interests is key to their development. Regular conversations with them about school work allow you to keep track of their learning and give you insight into their interest in the subject matter. It also opens up a dialogue that encourages your child to ask questions, share what they have learned, and brainstorm new ideas. Not only can this help improve their grades, but it can also help build confidence while strengthening the bond between parent and child.
Conversations about interests outside of school are equally important, as they provide a safe space where children can talk openly and share their thoughts without judgement or criticism. Furthermore, by taking an interest in what they are passionate about, whether it's video games or astronomy, you can help foster an environment of healthy exploration and positive growth.
Tips for talking about school with primary school children
Make time to talk with your child about their day.
Give your full attention if they want to talk and take seriously whatever they tell you.
Use active listening techniques to pick up on feelings and determine whether they want to talk.
Use respectful language when discussing the school and teachers with or in front of your child.
Recognise that behaviour/communication may suddenly change when children start school as they develop their unique identity.
Tips when talking about school with secondary school children
Learn to respect your child's increasing independence and privacy as a teenager.
Ask about the link between their schoolwork and future plans to encourage discussion.
When discussing school, look out for signs of problems, such as anxiety or refusal to answer questions.
Stay calm and listen without judgement when difficult topics arise during conversations with your child about school.
Find another adult if your child is uncomfortable talking with you about tricky school-related issues.
3. Encourage creative activities like painting, drawing, colouring, and building things
Creative activities like painting, drawing, colouring, and building are some of the easiest and most effective ways to exercise creativity. And the great thing is, you don't need to spend a fortune on supplies. You can easily put together free craft materials from the materials you have around your house. For instance, you can use scraps of paper or card to make sketches or cut-out designs. Old newspapers in different sizes and patterns make great collages, which can also be used for various projects. You can even get creative with old cards – try making fancy gift boxes by folding them into shapes.
4. Help them practice maths by playing board games or card games with them
Board and card games offer an excellent way to practice maths with kids. Games like Monopoly and Snakes and Ladders use elements of mathematics, such as addition and simple probability, that children can easily understand. Through these games, they can learn the basics of calculations while having fun - adding an element of enjoyment to their mathematical learning experience. Playing these games is a great way to spend quality time with your children too, allowing conversations about the numbers involved and helping them practice key maths concepts.
Card games can also help children to practice and develop their maths skills while having fun at the same time. These games can provide an exciting way for children to learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. They also introduce them to basic concepts such as fractions, percentages, decimals and more. Check out the following sites for more information about card games.
5. Take advantage of free resources such as book readings in bookshops, libraries, museums for educational trips and online resources
Exploring your local library is a great way to open up free learning opportunities. Not only can you check out library books to learn more about a subject of interest or take advantage of library book readings, but you can also find online resources for further exploration. Also, book readings at libraries and bookshops offer the opportunity to learn from wonderful authors in a setting that allows for discussion and exchanging ideas.
Visiting museums and galleries lets children discover history, art, and science up close, triggering their imagination and providing them with a chance to explore and gain a better understanding of the world. The best part is many museums, many are free or offer free guided tours or workshops.
Taking advantage of educational resources like TED talks and Khan Academy can be a great way to cultivate your child's development without breaking the bank. Take some time to explore their interactive lessons, watch videos, or gain insight into fascinating topics. Best of all—it's free!
6. Introduce them to different cultures through books, films, or music
If you want to give your children a better understanding of different cultures worldwide, there are lots of resources waiting for you to explore. Taking advantage of National Geographic documentaries, foreign language films or multicultural music are all great ways to engage and inform the family. Reading books illustrating the depths of culture can open up conversations about diversity and be eye-opening experiences.
7. Find volunteer opportunities in the community that they can participate in
Talk to the leaders of clubs or organisations at their school and ask how you can help out in the community as a family. Reach out to local charities, non-profits, museums, hospitals, and animal shelters - there's no shortage of places that would love an extra pair of helpful hands. There are all kinds of roles available - from helping refugees, homeless people, and vulnerable children to gardening projects and fundraising activities.
Alternatively, many organisations offer virtual volunteering, which means working from home or remotely doing tasks like writing newsletters or providing IT support. Whatever type of volunteering opportunity your child chooses, their work will be greatly appreciated and contribute to making the world a better place.
8. Create a study space at home that is comfortable and inviting for learning
Creating a study space at home for your children can help them stay focused when doing homework or studying for exams. Designing an inviting atmosphere free from distractions can benefit their academic development.
Setting up this area can be easy and free - just give your child enough space and ensure there is no clutter to distract their thoughts. You can also add a few personal touches like brightly-coloured pencil holders and inspirational posters or photos to foster creativity and keep motivation high. By providing a comfortable environment where learning is encouraged, you will help your child achieve success in school!
9. Help them practice for tests and exams
Tests and exams can be daunting and challenging to prepare for, so it's vital to help your child practice in the most effective way possible. Here are some tips.
1. Create a plan with goals and a timeline for review.
2. Have your child talk through their answers aloud.
3. Make mini-quizzes or practice tests regularly to identify weak areas.
4. Revisit revision notes with your child. Discuss notes and then ask your child questions related to the content.
5. Use available study guides and/or tutorials. Viewing content from multiple perspectives will strengthen their ideas about that topic.
6. Introduce fun activities such as videos or quizzes related to the subject matter
7. Set aside time daily for questions, discussions and memory reinforcement of subject matter. This type of reinforcement not only helps memory retention but allows them an opportunity to practice speaking about exam matters in depth as well.
10. Talk to teachers about what extra help you can provide for your child's development at school
As a parent, talking to your child's teachers about what extra help you can provide for your child's development at school is one of the best ways to ensure their educational success. Engaging in this conversation with the teacher lets them know that you are invested in your child's education and are dedicated to helping them reach their full potential. It also gives the teacher insight into what you think will benefit your child and allows them to tailor instruction around their individual needs. Seeking out extra academic help from a teacher sometimes requires extra effort, but it can also be an invaluable tool as your child navigates their educational journey.
Conclusion
Providing your child with the best education possible does not have to be expensive or difficult. With these ten inexpensive ways, you can help boost your child's development at school without breaking the bank. From encouraging them to read and providing a comfortable workspace, to talking with teachers and getting involved in their studies, there are many simple yet effective steps you can take as a parent to support your child's academic growth. Investing time and effort into helping your kid succeed today will lead to bigger rewards tomorrow!
More Curricular is an award-winning specialist provider of handwriting training and research-led assessment and learning tools for UK children and parents.
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