Indigenous Education and Research Centre Research and Projects Educational Innovation Learning with Family

Learning with Family

Growing Confident Learners

Family at Awards Night 2025

Every learner develops through the experiences, knowledge, relationships and opportunities that shape their journey. Success is about more than what someone knows. It is built through confidence, persistence, problem-solving and a willingness to keep learning.

Whether you're a parent, family member, teacher or community member, you play an important role in supporting that journey. Explore practical ideas, resources and pathways that help learners build confidence and capability for the future.

Family Learning Guide Front Cover

Learning with Families: A Practical Guide

Looking for something you can save, print or come back to later? Our Family Learning Guide brings together the practical ideas, activities and advice shared throughout this page in a downloadable format.

Whether you're supporting a child who is just starting school or preparing for what comes next, the guide provides simple ways to encourage confidence, curiosity and learning at home and beyond.

As children grow, their learning journey continues to evolve. Visit our Information for Families page for additional guidance on pathways, support services and preparing for future study.

Supporting Learning at Home

Some of the most important things families can do are ask questions, encourage curiosity, listen, share experiences and help children build confidence when they face challenges.

The ideas below focus on practical ways to support learning at home, whether your child is just starting school or preparing for what comes next.

What if I don't know the content?

You don't need to know all the answers to help your child learn.

Many parents and carers worry that they won't be able to support their child if they don't understand the homework, didn't enjoy school themselves, or learned things differently when they were growing up. That's completely normal.

One of the most valuable things you can do is show interest in your child's learning. Ask them questions, encourage them to explain their thinking, and celebrate their effort when they try something new or challenging.

Instead of focusing on getting the right answer, try asking:

  • Can you show me how you worked that out?
  • What do you think the answer might be?
  • What have you learned about this at school?
  • Can you teach me how it works?

These conversations help children build confidence, communication skills and a deeper understanding of what they are learning.

Remember, learning isn't about knowing everything. It's about being curious, asking questions and continuing to learn together.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Learning happens everywhere.

Everyday activities such as cooking, shopping, gardening, sport, travel and family conversations create opportunities for children to ask questions, solve problems and build confidence.

Small, everyday moments can help children develop the confidence, curiosity and habits that support learning throughout life. Explore some simple ways to turn everyday experiences into learning opportunities.

Cooking is a great way to build learning into everyday life. Children can practise measuring, estimating, following instructions and solving problems while helping prepare meals. Conversations about recipes, ingredients and timing also support reading and communication skills.

A trip to the shops can help children develop practical maths skills. Compare prices, estimate costs, count change, work within a budget or calculate discounts. These everyday tasks show how maths is used in real life.

Encourage children to notice the world around them. Talk about weather patterns, plants, animals and seasonal changes. Asking questions and making observations helps develop curiosity, critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

Sport and games provide opportunities to explore numbers, patterns, strategy and teamwork. Keep score, compare statistics, discuss tactics or predict outcomes. These activities help build problem-solving and analytical skills.

Talking together is one of the most powerful ways to support learning. Ask questions, share stories, discuss current events and encourage children to explain their ideas. These conversations help build confidence, communication skills and understanding.

Learning is strengthened through connection to family, community, culture and Country. Spending time together, sharing knowledge, participating in community activities and learning from others all contribute to a child's growth and understanding of the world around them.

Supporting Learning at Different Stages

Children grow, learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. While every learner's journey is unique, there are some common skills, habits and experiences that help build confidence and support learning over time.

The ideas below highlight simple ways families can encourage curiosity, independence and a love of learning at different stages of school.

Who's your mob map - mother/daughter

The early years are full of discovery. Reading together, talking about everyday experiences, asking questions and encouraging children to explore the world around them all help build confidence and communication skills.

At this stage, learning is often about developing curiosity, forming positive learning habits and building the confidence to try new things.

As children grow, they begin taking greater responsibility for their learning. Everyday opportunities to make decisions, solve problems, follow routines and work through challenges help build confidence and independence.

Encouraging children to ask questions, explain their thinking and reflect on what they have learned helps them develop important habits that support learning throughout life.

The transition to high school often brings new subjects, routines and expectations. Developing organisational skills, managing responsibilities and learning how to seek help when needed can make this transition easier.

Families can support this stage by encouraging persistence, celebrating effort and helping young people explore their interests and strengths.

As students move through high school, learning becomes increasingly connected to future goals and opportunities. Conversations about interests, aspirations and different pathways can help young people see how learning connects to their future.

This stage is less about having all the answers and more about helping young people build confidence, make informed decisions and continue developing as learners.

Looking for More Resources?

Explore Building Educational Capacities for STEM Success, a project examining how confidence, persistence, mathematical thinking and scientific reasoning are developed over time and how these capabilities support long-term learning success.

We're Here to Support Your Journey

Every family brings their own experiences, strengths and aspirations. There is no single way to support learning, and every learner's path will look different.

The Indigenous Education and Research Centre works alongside students, families and communities to help create opportunities for learning, growth and future success.

If you'd like to learn more about our programs, pathways or support services, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in contact with us