How to help your child with school work at home

You don't need to know every subject to help. What matters most is a routine, your interest, and a calm place to work.

Set up a routine

1. Choose a regular time each day for school work, e.g. after tea, before screens.
2. Find a quiet spot with light, away from the TV.
3. Keep a small box with pencils, a ruler, an eraser, a sharpener and some paper.
4. Start with the hardest task while your child is fresh, then the easier ones.

How to help without doing it for them

• Ask your child to explain the task to you in their own words. Explaining helps them understand.
• Ask questions instead of giving answers: *"What did your teacher say? What could you try first?"*
• Check that the work is finished and neat, then sign or comment if the teacher asks.
• If they're stuck, write a short note to the teacher rather than finishing it yourself.

CBE projects and practical work

CBE often asks learners to make, grow, measure or find things at home. Use what you have: bottle tops for counting, old boxes for models, the kitchen for measuring and fractions, the shamba for agriculture. Let your child do the work. The teacher is assessing their skills.

Tip: Ask the teacher if you're not sure what a project needs. You don't have to buy expensive materials.

Reading every day

• Read with younger children for 15 minutes a day, in English, Kiswahili or your home language.
• Ask older children to tell you about what they read.
• Newspapers, story books, the Bible or Quran, and instructions on packets all count.

Watch for signs of trouble

Talk to the class teacher if your child often says they don't understand, avoids school work, or their report shows AE or BE in the same learning area term after term. Early help works best.