Ks2 articles
7 common dyslexia questions answered
If your child is dyslexic you'll want to help them get the support they need at school and at home. Dr John Rack, Head of Research, Development and Policy at Dyslexia Action, answers common questions about dyslexia identification, homework and tutoring and suggests sources of further information and advice to help you help your child.
12 no-sew Roald Dahl costumes
Who doesn’t adore Dahl? Well, possibly the parent who’s just been told it’s Roald Dahl Day in the morning and every child in the school has to dress up in character! Create a costume in minutes with our easy Dahl dressing up ideas – no sewing required!
Beat back-to-school nerves
Many children feel a bit nervous about the start of a new school year, but for some, the jitters continue beyond the first few days. Here’s how to help your child de-stress if they’re finding going back to school a struggle.
You know you’re a primary school parent when…
Having a child at primary school grants you access to an exclusive club. Here’s what the members all have in common, says Lucy Dimbylow.
Best labelling solutions for school
Wish there was a labels fairy to transform the uniform pile into a neat stack of personalised clothing? Whether you’re super-organised and spread your labelling over the holidays or prone to last-minute panics and label-sewing all-nighters, these products are designed to help you get the job done – and look great, too.
Handwriting practice: what all parents need to know
If you’re worried about your child’s handwriting and want to help them improve, you’re not alone – handwriting is an essential skill, but we all have to learn it, and it’s a very complex task. Legible, neat handwriting takes lots of practice – here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re working with your child at home.
7 of the best children’s reads for summer 2012
Mysteries, thrillers, supernatural tales and chick lit – we all want to pack a good book to read on holiday so make sure your child isn’t left out! From historical fiction to the new classic from Jacqueline Wilson, this super selection of books for KS2 readers means the whole family can have a fiction-packed break.
Siblings and homework: how to survive
Does your pre-schooler play havoc during his older sibling’s homework time? Is getting the reading, writing and spelling done a military operation every evening? Lucy Dimbylow asked experts and mums for their coping strategies.
What is non-verbal reasoning?
A major part of most secondary school selection and 11+ exams, as well as Year 7 CATs, non-verbal reasoning can be a tricky skill to master. We explain what non-verbal reasoning tests involve, and how you can help your child at home.
3 brilliant London excursions for primary school children
A trip to London is a great way to see history. With almost every stone soaked in stories of the past, a day in the capital is a great way to make KS1 and KS2 history learning come alive. There are elements from every period of London’s past still visible in the city today if you know where to look – Francesca Fenn from Step Outside guides suggests a few things to see and do that bring the primary history curriculum to life.
What is verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning tests are a key part of most secondary school selection and 11+ exams, as well as Year 7 CATs – but your child won’t necessarily be taught the skill at school. We explain just what verbal reasoning involves, and how you can help them prepare for their test.
Best royal reads for kids
Make sure the whole family feels part of royal festivities and include some celebratory reading in your schedule. We’ve picked some great options for you to read out loud and for independent readers. Time to hang the bunting and snuggle up with a book…
Computer coding for kids
Could your child be a future computer programmer? It might sound unlikely, but teaching children coding is becoming more commonplace – yes, even in primary schools. So what do you need to know about helping your budding Bill Gates (or twenty-first century Ada Lovelace) to grasp this complex skill? Lucy Dimbylow finds out.
Using comics to improve your child’s literacy
Struggling to get your child to pick up a book? A comic might have more appeal – and some surprising literacy-boosting benefits, especially for boys. Lucy Dimbylow explains why you don’t need to be snobbish about your child’s choice of reading material.
What does gifted and talented mean?
Gifted and talented, more able, most able, high learning potential… We explain the terms that are used to describe high-flying kids, and how you can tell if your child is one.
Supporting your gifted child at home and at school
Help your child reach their full potential with strategies and suggestions to support them in and out of school.
KS2 SATs in 2015: what parents need to know
KS2 SATs have changed completely over the last few years. We explain the process for 2015 and what the new plans are for the Y6 assessments, including the new KS2 Grammar, punctuation and spelling test, following Lord Bew's review.
Creative writing techniques for kids: a step-by-step guide to writing a story
Encouraging children to write a story of their very own can give them an enormous confidence boost, as well as help them consolidate their literacy learning by putting their phonics, grammar and reading skills into practice. Primary teacher Phoebe Doyle offers parents tips on how to get their children’s creative thoughts flowing.
What is mental maths?
The ability to work sums in your head is an important skill that primary students must develop throughout the key stages. We explain what mental maths means in National Curriculum terms, and how you can help your child become a quick calculations whizz!
Help! My child doesn’t want to go on school swimming lessons
Students in primary school are required to learn to swim, which is a difficult part of the curriculum for water-shy children to float through. Be prepared by finding out what the learning targets are, what responsibilities your school has, and how to help your child feel confident about taking the plunge.
5 ways to teach relaxation skills to your child
Knowing how to keep calm in emotionally difficult situations is an important life skill that’s never too early to learn. Even if you don’t feel you’ve mastered it yourself, you can still help your child manage their stress levels – and perhaps improve your own stress management in the process. Educational psychologist Lisa Gupta lends her top tips for parents.
Reading comprehension explained for parents
Once your child can read they’ll be working on understanding what they read and really engaging with words in their literacy lessons. Reading comprehension is also a big part of SATs. Teacher Alice Hart explains how you can help boost your child’s skills at home.
Teachers’ top 10 classroom discipline tricks
Does every homework session end in tears and tantrums? Or are you losing sleep over getting your child to learn their spellings? Lucy Dimbylow asked the people who manage 30 children at a time (gulp!) – teachers and teaching assistants – to share their tried and tested tricks.
School admissions appeals panel hearings: a step-by-step guide
After you’ve sent in your appeals form to try to reverse a school’s decision and admit your child, you’ll be able to present your case in front of a panel. Read on to find out what happens in appeals panel hearings, and how to gather all the essential details you need.
School admissions appeals forms: a step-by-step guide
If you’ve just found out that your child hasn’t got a place in the school they wanted, the good news is that you can appeal the decision. Read our comprehensive guide on how to write a good appeals form and what information you need to include.
6 World Book Day activities for EYFS, KS1 & KS2
Celebrate World Book Day with these fun ideas for children of all ages – get a free book, join a reading group, raise money for charity and more!
An overview of the English education system
A parents' guide to the key stages and assessments within the structure of the education system in England.
An overview of the Scottish education system
How does the school education system work in Scotland? What are the differences between the National Curriculum and the Curriculum for Excellence? We explain how students are assessed within both systems in the UK.
An overview of the Welsh education system
A quick guide for parents about how the education system in Wales is structured, plus information about the National Reading and Numeracy Tests and the new curriculum for Wales, due to be introduced from nursery to Year 7 in 2022.
An overview of the Northern Irish educational system
Understand more about the curriculum used in Northern Ireland and how students are assessed with this brief guide.
13 ways to get children excited about geography
Boost your child’s natural curiosity about the world around us with some at-home geography fun. Teacher Jenny Cooke, creator of the Oddizzi website for primary school learners, shares her wanderlust tips to help you turn a rainy afternoon into an exotic adventure.
No-sew costumes for World Book Day
As the children get excited over book week, it can leave us parents feeling more than a little stressed! Time-poor and not at all sewing-savvy Phoebe Doyle has some simple suggestions for effective World Book Day costumes that won’t break the bank.
What your child can learn from doing a self portrait
Children often draw pictures of themselves, along with friends and family. Self portraits are actually a key part of learning and personal development, so provide the paper, pencils and opportunity for your child to have a go.
What is ‘magic e’ or a split digraph?
The way children learn to spell using phonics and phonetic terminology can cause utter bewilderment to parents trying their best to help at home. Primary teacher Phoebe Doyle is on hand to explain the ‘magic e’, or split digraph.
4 ideas for homemade playdough
Help your child develop the motor skills needed for handwriting with these no-skills-needed ideas and recipes for playdough and similar slimy substances – ideal for sensory play and scientific investigations!
The parents’ guide to school trips
It feels like five minutes ago that you were peeling a tearful child off your leg at the school gates; now it’s your turn to weep at the thought of them going on a residential trip! We answer your questions – and ease your worries – about residential visits. By Lucy Dimbylow
How to keep your child safe online
With technology advancing faster and faster, parents are finding it more and more difficult to stay on top of how their children are using the internet. We spoke to mum and internet-safety guru Pamela Whitby about what you can do to protect your child online.
Times tables: 10 things every parent needs to know
If you're a KS2 parent, chances are you'll spend more time than you ever thought possible looking for ways to help your child learn their times tables. Here are the ten things you should know before you get started.
How to make your garden bird-friendly
Birdwatching is a brilliant learning activity to do at home that can also encourage your child to take an interest in the outdoors. We speak to the RSPB about how you can make your garden or balcony more appealing for birds, leading to better birdwatching!
11 things parents need to know about the National Curriculum
It’s the basis for what your child learns every day, but what exactly is the National Curriculum and what does it teach? Education writer and primary teacher Phoebe Doyle offers some clarity.