How to Support Your Child's Learning Outside of School

When school ends, the learning doesn’t have to

For many parents, the end of a school day can feel like a much-needed pause—but for others, it’s just the beginning of a nightly struggle. If your child is between 6 and 12 and facing learning difficulties, homework avoidance, or a general sense of school-related stress, you’ve probably wondered: how can I help them learn, without turning our evenings into a battleground?

The truth is, meaningful, effective learning doesn't only happen in classrooms. It happens around the dinner table, during car rides, on walks, or even through games and stories. What your child needs isn’t just more work—it’s more connection, more creative opportunities to process what they’ve learned, and more ways to feel confident in themselves.

Learning is personal—and it can happen anywhere

Think about how your child best engages with the world. Do they light up when they’re telling a story? Are they constantly asking questions? Or maybe they remember every fact from their favorite YouTube series but can’t seem to hold onto multiplication tables.

Once you start viewing everyday activities as chances to learn, the pressure of traditional homework starts to loosen its grip. For example:

• Cooking dinner can become a hands-on math and science lesson.
• A trip to the store might touch on budgeting, reading, and decision-making.
• A car ride turns into a storytelling session, where your child gets to be the hero of an epic learning adventure.

The goal here isn't to replicate school at home—it’s to expand your child’s learning environment in a way that feels more natural, less stressful, and more tailored to who they are. In our guide to alternative learning routines at home, we explore how shifting this mindset can reduce resistance and reignite curiosity.

Start with their strengths

One of the biggest shifts in helping your child outside of school is starting from what they enjoy rather than what they struggle with. If your child loves drawing, ask them to sketch out the key concept from a science lesson. If they’re drawn to music, challenge them to write a tune that helps them remember grammar rules. If they can't sit still, try learning while walking around the block.

This approach not only boosts engagement but also optimism. Children who struggle academically often internalize feelings of inadequacy. By helping them learn through activities they enjoy, you show them they're capable—and worthy—of learning on their own terms.

For children who are visual learners but find textbooks overwhelming, check out these alternatives to traditional reading that can better align with how they process information.

Storytelling: a powerful learning tool

Stories are one of the oldest learning methods in the world, and for good reason. When something is wrapped in a narrative—especially one your child can see themselves in—it becomes memorable. More importantly, it becomes meaningful.

That’s why audio adventures, where your child can actually hear their own name and voice as the protagonist, can work wonders. Instead of passively absorbing information, they’re immersed in an interactive universe where learning becomes part of the plot. Tools like the Skuli App integrate this beautifully, turning lessons into customized adventures that make even tricky concepts feel like quests worth pursuing.

If you'd like to understand more about why this works so well, we dive deep into the science and strategy behind educational audio stories in this article.

Let their ears do the learning

Some kids just don’t connect with the written word in the traditional sense—and that’s okay. For children with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences, listening can be far more effective than reading.

Imagine turning your child’s history notes or science textbook into a narrated audio file they can listen to on the way to soccer practice. Suddenly, a kid who zones out during homework is hooked by a subject they thought they didn’t like. Audio learning can remove barriers and help your child feel in control again.

Want to delve into the power of sound in learning? Read our complete guide on why audio learning works and how to use it effectively at home.

Make repetition feel new (and fun)

Mastering a concept often requires repetition—but that doesn’t mean dull drills or flashcards. Instead, find playful ways to return to the material. You might take a photo of a lesson and let your child answer a quiz based entirely on what’s in that snapshot, tailored exactly to what they need to review. Small interactions like that reinforce concepts without setting off alarms of “ugh, more homework.”

Technology, used wisely, can be an ally here. It’s not about screen time for screen time’s sake—it’s about using apps and platforms that enrich how your child learns, not just bombard them with more tasks. Our article on how technology can help your child learn offers practical ways to navigate this space thoughtfully.

The heart of learning is connection

At the end of the day, children don’t learn best when they’re forced or fearful—they learn best when they feel seen, supported, and curious. Your presence, your encouragement, and your creativity are by far the most important supports your child can have.

And remember: progress doesn't always look linear. When you're helping a struggling learner, breakthroughs don’t happen on a schedule. But when you offer a variety of tools—like stories they star in, lessons they can hear, or personalized quizzes you can build together—the path starts to open up, step by step.

Your child is already learning. You're already helping. Keep going.