Supporting Kids at Home for Back-to-School Success: Learning Aids, Sensory Play, and More

As the school year approaches, setting up a supportive home environment can make all the difference in your child’s transition back to school. Beyond establishing routines, using learning aids and sensory play can help reinforce what they learn in school while keeping them engaged. Here’s a few tips on how you can support your child’s learning journey at home.

1. Incorporate Learning Aids into Daily Routines

Integrating learning aids into everyday activities can make education a natural part of your child’s day. Simple tools like flashcards, and educational games can reinforce subjects like math, reading, and spelling. Using simple tools like magnetic letters can turn obligatory homework spelling tasks into a more interactive and tangible experience for kids. Or pick up an answer buzzer to turn at home revision into an impromptu quiz gameshow. 

2. Create a Sensory-Friendly Space

A dedicated, sensory-friendly space can help your child focus or relax better at home. Designate a quiet area with good lighting and comfortable seating. Include sensory tools like fidget spinners, stress balls, or sensory tubes to help children who need extra tactile input to concentrate or decompress.

Incorporate elements like calming colours, soft textures, and noise-canceling headphones to reduce distractions. This space should feel safe and inviting, encouraging your child to engage with their homework, or as a place to decompress from school, and homework.

3. Use Sensory Play to Reinforce Learning

Sensory play is a fantastic way to reinforce learning while keeping your child engaged. Activities like playing with Kinetic Sand, building with clay, or exploring water beads or Gelli Baff can be used to teach concepts like shapes, numbers, and patterns. For example, you can hide small objects in a sensory bin filled with rice or sand and have your child search for them, reinforcing counting and sorting skills in a fun, hands-on way. Try the Sand and Water Tool Set, Tweezers or Magnifying Glass as different tools to interact with different sensory materials and activities.

4. Support Emotional Well-Being with Mindfulness Activities

Helping your child manage stress and emotions is crucial, especially as they transition back to school. Introduce mindfulness activities like deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, or yoga to help them relax and refocus. These practices can be especially helpful before starting homework or winding down before bed. Try these Mindfulness Cards, or workbooks such as The Unhurry Book, Unworry Book or Express Your Feelings Journal, to help support some at-home mindfulness and reflection practices.

5. Reward Efforts, Not Just Achievements

Positive reinforcement doesn’t have to be limited to academic success. Reward your child for their efforts, whether they’re sticking to their routine, trying out a new learning aid, or engaging in sensory play. Rewards can be as simple as extra playtime, a favourite snack, or a family movie night. The goal is to encourage a positive attitude towards learning and self-discipline, so it is a good idea to reward habits, consistency and sticking to goals you decided together, rather than success metrics. Try our reward chart or range of stickers if you need some resources for this.

6. Involve Kiddos in the Preparation 

Finally, don't underestimate the importance of involving kids in the preparation, which can give them a sense of autonomy, confidence and control in a time of transition. Picking out their own pencil case, colouring pencils or drink bottle can all help with this. You can browse all our back to school essentials here.