Starting School Strong: How Parents Can Give Children a Confident Start

When your child starts school, it can feel daunting for all of you. There are new routines, new faces, and lots of new things to learn. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times.

The good news is that research shows that the little things you do every day, the conversations, the encouragement, the shared moments, are what make the biggest difference to give your child the best possible start

Here are some simple ways you can support your child’s learning and confidence as they begin their school journey:

Talk about the day

Taking a few minutes to ask about school helps your child feel secure and shows them you’re interested. Try asking:

• “What made you laugh today?”
• “Who did you play with?”
• “Was anything tricky?”

Even if their answers are short, the habit of talking and listening matters. It helps children feel valued and builds trust.

Make reading part of the routine.

You don’t need to get through a whole book every night. Just a few pages, looking at pictures, or chatting about what might happen next is enough. Let your child turn the pages, point to things they notice, or talk about the characters’ feelings. These moments spark a love of stories and language.

Encourage effort, not perfection.

Celebrate when your child tries, whether it’s having another go at fastening a button or sounding out a word. Phrases like “I love how you kept going” build resilience. Keep rules simple and clear, but avoid harsh or critical language. Warmth and encouragement give children the confidence to have a go.

Play to build learning skills.

Having fun is powerful for learning, and don’t have to be complicated. Play “Simon Says”, do a tidy-up race, or clap a rhythm for your child to copy. These kinds of games build focus and self-control, skills teachers say are just as important as knowing letters or numbers.

Use everyday moments

Learning doesn’t always have to mean worksheets or special equipment. Count apples into the fruit bowl, spot letters on road signs, or match socks from the laundry. Children learn best when numbers and words are part of daily life.

Men matter

There’s no doubt that children thrive when all the people around them take an interest in their learning. This might be mum, dad, a grandparent, a step-parent, or another special adult. But some research shows that even 10 minutes of reading, chatting, or playing each day with dad, grandad, big brother, or other male role model makes a real difference to children’s confidence and school readiness.

Remember…

You don’t have to do everything at once. Pick one or two habits to start, and let them grow naturally. What matters most is that your child feels encouraged, supported, and proud of their efforts.

This post is based on research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and Durham University’s reviews of parental engagement in children’s learning.