Ks1 articles
Teachers’ tricks for learning times tables
Do you dread times table practice as much as your child does? Primary school teacher Alice Hart uses these effective learning strategies in her classroom – give them a try to liven up today's homework time.
‘My teacher hates me!’
There are some things you never want to hear your child say, and when it comes to his education, “Mummy, my teacher doesn’t like me!” tops the list. So what can you do if your child insists the teacher thinks they’re bottom of the class? Sarah Ebner offers some advice.
Handwriting practice: writing to Santa
It’s the handwriting activity your child will be clamouring to start: writing to Father Christmas! Gather your child’s paper and pencils and settle down to compile the list, then organise a response from the big man himself, as well as a personalised Christmas message.
100 of the best educational toys for Christmas
Looking for great Christmas presents? TheSchoolRun team have picked 100 of the best educational toys, from maths games to spelling challenges, chemistry sets to telescopes. Every single one of them offers hours of fun and lots of learning to children aged 4 to 11. Don't do your present buying until you've read it!
8 no-sew Nativity costumes
If your little angel is honoured with the role of Mary, or your shining star is to be a sheep, here are some sewing-free, stress-free ways of getting simple, yet effective, handmade Nativity costumes recommended by non-crafty mum and teacher, Phoebe Doyle.
Sports Day cringe stories
It’s supposed to be one of the highlights of the school calendar, but in reality sports day is ripe with opportunities for humiliation. From finishing line tantrums to trackside arguments, six mums share their shame with TheSchoolRun.
Handwriting: how your child learns to write
Ever wondered how your child really learns to write? Phoebe Doyle gets expert advice on the best ways to promote good handwriting techniques with your child.
5 free ways to boost your child's communication skills
Reading and writing are vital to your child’s education, but developing their oral language skills will also boost their confidence with words and expand their vocabulary. Make a difference to their literacy success from today!
9 fun writing projects to boost literacy skills
Stories aren’t just for reading – teachers regularly use a story as a starting point to engage children in many writing activities that cover a wide range of objectives. Here, education writer Phoebe Doyle gives you a few suggestions for doing the same at home.
10 questions parents of ADHD children should ask their schools
Whether you’ve just found out your child has ADHD, or are checking new schools for your ADHD child, use our list of key questions to get all the information you need.
5 unusual ways to help with spelling
Help your children improve their spelling skills with games and activities that build word-savviness in fun and interesting ways.
9 homework help tips from real parents
Does your child struggle to settle down during homework time? Parents share their favourite tips on motivating their children through it and helping them concentrate on tricky concepts.
What are key stages?
One of the terms you’ll hear most often during your child’s education is ‘key stage’, but what does it mean? We explain what you need to know.
All about dysgraphia
Could your child’s difficulty with writing be dysgraphia? Find out what the signs are, and what to do about it.
What are adverbs?
Use our quick guide to adverbs to help your child understand this descriptive part of speech.
Halloween face painting: a step-by-step guide
You don't have to be an artist to face paint! Make your child's Halloween costume stand out by following these easy steps.
What are SATs?
No doubt you’ll have heard a lot of talk about SATs, but do you know what they involve or how you can help your child to prepare? Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know.
Start preparing for SATs today
Take the stress out of SATs by making honing your child’s skills as part of everyday home life.
Understanding SATs results
How are SATs marked, when will you see your child’s results and what do the marks mean? Moira Holden explains everything you need to know about the optional Y2 and compulsory Y6 SATs results.
Teaching time the 21st century way
Are you struggling to teach your child to tell the time? Elena Dalrymple reviews a new story-based learning method.
Your phonics questions answered
Do you understand how your child is learning to read? We asked the experts to demystify phonics teaching and give you some practical tips to support your child’s learning. You'll also find links to phonics worksheets, games and activities.
5 ways to boost your early reader's confidence
Your early reader may be steaming ahead but you can give them an extra boost with a few easy strategies, says Jackie Cosh. Start today!
Essential computer skills for four and five year olds
Learning about computers is as essential as reading, writing and arithmetic. Amy Schofield shows how to support your child’s ICT learning at home.
Simple science activities to try today
Science doesn't have to mean complicated experiments with chemicals and Bunsen burners. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage can get involved in science with these fun, fast-results experiments. Sarah Cruickshank reports.
Primary science: what you need to know
Not sure what your child is learning in science? Swot up with our two-minute parents' guide to primary-school science.
The beginner's guide to parent-teacher meetings
There’s a lot you can do to make sure you get the most out of meeting with your child’s teacher. Here’s TheSchoolRun’s guide to handling your first parents’ evening.
Develop your child's literacy skills in the early years
Supporting kids’ literacy skills at home is a key factor in helping them to become accomplished readers with broad vocabularies. Get started today!
Helping your child learn to write
More often than not, parents provide children with their first writing experiences. Here’s how to encourage good handwriting habits from the beginning of primary school.
Writing practice: how to help your struggling child
Is your child’s handwriting a cause for concern? Help them to improve it with these simple activities.
Telling the time: how to help your child learn
Learning to tell the time is not an easy process, so to help you help your child we have broken it down into separate learning stages.
Help your child learn about shapes
Learning about shapes and geometry plays a major part in your child's numeracy education across the Key Stages. Here are some tips to help them get a head start.
Improve your child’s speech and language skills
Significant numbers of children start primary school in England with difficulties with speech and language. Here’s how you can support your child.
3 steps to success in reading, writing and arithmetic
The 3Rs may not conjure up happy memories for you, but bestselling author and educational expert, Bernadette Tynan, explains how you can make sure they do for your child.
Everyday ways to make maths fun
Want to instil a love and appreciation of maths in your primary school child? You can with our practical suggestions to help make numbers fun.
Expert spelling tips for KS1 and KS2
Tutor and author of the best-selling Spelling Made Magic, Clare Winstanley, shares her practical tips and clever tricks to make spelling practice fun for KS1 and KS2 children.
Teachers' tricks for KS1 maths
Some young children just can’t get their head around adding numbers together. Education writer Phoebe Doyle explains some helpful strategies that are most often used in primary teaching today.
9 spelling strategies from real parents
Helping your child master spelling starts in Reception and continues throughout the primary years. Lucy Dimbylow asked real parents for their top tips on making learning spellings fun.
Top 5 grammar mistakes sorted
Are you confident in helping your child to master grammar? Jackie Cosh explains the basic rules you need to know.
Teach your child to read a clock
Reading an analogue clock is a tricky skill to master. Help your child get to grips with it with our teaching-time guide.
A maths homework help guide for KS1 and KS2
Maths is not always a popular subject with children. But with these handy tips and downloadable worksheets, it can become a lot more fun.