Skip to main content

Ks1 articles

Child solving addition problems - partitioning
What is partitioning?
Not sure what your child means when they talk about partitioning numbers in maths problems? We explain the method, and how your child will use it.
Walk to School Month
7 vital road safety skills you must teach your child
Worried about your child walking to school on their own? Help them become street savvy during Walk to School Month by teaching them these key principles of walking safely.
Child awake in bed
Growing pains explained
Aches and pain don’t just happen in your 80s – children can experience strong twinges and throbbings, which can even wake them up at night. Dr. David Shortland explains how to help your child through it.
Teacher and pupils in classroom
12 ways to build a great relationship with your child’s teacher
We all want the teacher to love our child (and us too!) so Lucy Dimbylow asked them to share their top parenting peeves, along with the things that parents can do at school and at home to make their job easier. Teachers’ pets, us? Yes please!
Mum and child reading together
9 ways to help your child love poetry
Use National Poetry Day as an excuse to enjoy the creative wordplay that poetry can offer! Coax out the budding poet in your child with these games and activities, and boost their literacy skills the fun way.
Pupil queuing for school meal
Managing allergies at school: a guide for parents
It’s easy to keep track of what your child eats when they’re at home, but school is another matter. We’ve rounded up the latest advice on how to manage your child’s allergies at school.
Snake number line
What is a number line?
Spotted something about a number line in your child’s homework instructions, and not sure what it means? We review the basics of this amazing, adaptable educational tool and explain how it's used in KS1 and KS2 maths.
Easy ways to engage your child with maths
Easy ways to engage your child with maths
Do the words “I need help with my maths homework” strike fear into your heart? Our tried-and-tested tips from maths experts will help change your child’s attitude to numbers – and yours
Child in Willy Wonka costume BigStock
Roald Dahl Day: five ways to celebrate
While there’s always a reason to enjoy and celebrate the amazing books that Roald Dahl wrote, make a special effort on Roald Dahl Day to organise phizz-whizzingly brilliant activities and scrumdiddlyumptious treats!
TheSchoolRun great family days out map
Great family days out, recommended by parents
Looking for a great family day out? From the Kyle of Lochalsh in the north to Helston in Cornwall in the south, TheSchoolRun’s interactive Great Family Days Out Map offers hundreds of suggestions from the people who know best – real parents.
Piggy bank
Simple ways to save on school costs
We all want to give our children the best in life, but with the cost of living rising it can seem impossible to pinch those pennies and pay for school materials at the same time. Uniforms, meals, trips and birthday parties – the list goes on. But who knows how to budget better than a primary-school parent? Check out our tried-and-tested budgeting tips from other parents.

Children reading with mum
Using story books to learn to read
Are Kipper, Chip and co the only fictional characters your child is reading about now that they're learning to read? Education writer Phoebe Doyle argues that every book's a reading book, and children's literature is as vital as reading scheme books when it comes to learning to read.
Child washing hands at sink
Threadworms: all your questions answered
It’s easy to feel horrified if your child gets threadworms, but don’t panic! They’re very common among kids – and easy to treat. Here are all your pressing questions answered.
Girl with Halloween pumpkins
No-sew Halloween costume ideas
No need for complicated patterns or topnotch sewing skills – get ready for Halloween with these easy costume ideas. Ghosts, wizards, witches and more can be created in less than an hour and the kids can help, too. Emily Organ waves her wand and shows us how.
Teacher and children
8 things you must do to lay the foundations of a great school year
Want to know how to get your child off to a flying start next term? Who better to ask than the experts! Wendy Golledge quizzed eight primary school teachers for their tips on preparing your child for the school year ahead.
Boy looking through a magnifying glass
Could your child be gifted?
Does your child excel in academic subjects, on the sports field or with a musical instrument? We take a look at how to tell if they are exceptionally able – or just bright.
Boy writing maths on blackboard
What to expect from school if you have a more able child
Highly able children sometimes struggle to get the support they need from school. We explain what to expect and who to turn to for help.
Child swinging
What is enrichment?
Education is more than just mastering English and maths - it's also about activities that extend children's learning through new experiences and opportunities. We take a look at how enrichment benefits primary school kids.
Girl and laptop
Gifted and talented: your questions answered
If you've been told your child is highly able, you'll have lots of questions. We asked the experts to explain what to expect.
Girl reading book
8 ways to support your gifted child
If you have an incredibly able child it can be tempting to let them just get on with it – or to go to the other extreme and constantly push them to achieve. We asked the experts how best to support a talented child.
Lots of children skiing
Top tips for your family's ski holiday
Skiing holidays can take a great deal of organisation, especially if you are new to the slopes. But with our expert advice you can plough through the planning, leaving you more time to enjoy your family holiday.
Mum and daughter on a boat
Cruise holidays - what do they offer your family?
Ever thought about taking your family on a cruise holiday? We look at what could be in it for you and your children.
Children laughing
Why family games help positive behaviour
Traditional family games can help your child develop skills such as patience, respect, turn-taking, and being part of a team. So try these tips to make time for games in family life.
Father and Daughter
Celebrate Father's Day without breaking the bank
Thinking of a great present for your father or carer can be stressful – you want to buy the best gift you can find, but that can prove to be very expensive! Check out our fantastic suggestions for cheap, easy Father's Day gifts that are also special, unique and heart-warming.
Little boy watching TV
How to manage your child's television time
Do you worry that television viewing could be having a damaging effect on your child? We take a look at children's TV consumption and how you can manage it in a positive way.
Child underwater Unsplash
Teaching your child to swim
Learning to swim is fun – and great exercise for your child. Kath Stathers looks at the ways you can support their learning of this essential life skill.
Kids at summer camp
The benefits of summer camps
In American movies 'summer camp' is a rite of passage. Could UK activity holidays prove to be just as popular? Providing some excellent and unusual learning opportunities, read on to find out how summer camps could benefit your child.
Parent cooking with child
Cooking with kids: the educational benefits
Cooking with children has some great educational and health benefits, from practising maths skills to exploring different ingredients. We take a look at what your child could learn in the kitchen.
Child in canoe
Scouting with the Cub Scouts
Scouting offers young people up and down the country the chance to experience new adventures and challenges. We take a look at what Rainbows, Beavers, Cubs and Brownies could offer your child.
Child gardening
Creating a child-friendly garden
Whether you have an acre of land or a window box, it is possible to create a garden that will encourage your child to learn a whole host of different skills. We take a look at all that gardens have to offer, and give some great advice on how you can turn your child's fingers green.
Paints on egg box
What's so educational about model building?
You may think model building is a thing of the past, but in fact there are more exciting and diverse kits available than ever. And with so many educational benefits to them, there really is no better time to unplug the games console and give it a try.
Dad reading to sisters
Summer activities for every age
Keeping the kids occupied over the summer holidays needn't cost an arm and a leg, or be all about plugging them into the latest video games. In fact there's absolutely heaps of fun and games to be had around the house and garden!
Boy shell hunting
Great learning activities at home and away
There are learning opportunities all around us, if we know where to look. Try these happy holiday activities to keep the kids entertained and learning this summer.
Summer camp boy kayaking
How to choose a great summer camp
From local council holiday schemes to residential activities, Moira Holden looks at different kinds of summer camps and childcare. Here's what you need to think about before you book a place for your child.
Boy playing board game
Stop summer brain drain
The holidays are stretching out before us, and whilst children gladly throw their schoolbags in a cupboard and declare themselves done with learning, you might not be quite so keen on the idea! Here are a few ideas to keep kids engaged and interested over the summer.
Back to school
Back to school: your seven-day countdown
The summer’s almost over and in a week’s time, you’ll need to be up, dressed and out of the house by 8.30am – help! Lucy Dimbylow asked the most organised people on the planet – mums of school-age children – to create the ultimate to-do list for the last week of the holidays, with no last-minute panics in sight.
Boy wearing mask
Top craft activities for children
Getting your children to be creative over holidays, weekends, and during after-school time is a great way to nurture their artistic flair and keep them occupied. Try these great activities to get kids crafting.
Brothers in the park with their dog
Teach your child to play outdoors
Past generations of children spent many happy hours enjoying the benefits of playing outdoors. But in recent years, concerns about safety have increased. So how do we encourage safer play outdoors?
Girl playing tea parties
Creating a space to play
Try working together with your child to design, create and build their ultimate play area with our top tips and practical advice.
Cartoon girls playing
How to make outdoor play safe
The sights and sounds of children playing together outdoors have waned over the years, but with them go many learning benefits. Try these tips to inspire safe play outdoors.