Indigenous Education and Research Centre Research and Projects Growing Confident Learners 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.

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 what they're learning. Ask questions, encourage them to explain their thinking and celebrate their effort when they try something new.

You can try asking:

  • Can you show me how you worked that out?
  • What do you think the answer might be?
  • Can you teach me what you've learned?

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

Learning isn't about knowing everything. It's about staying curious and continuing to learn together.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Learning happens everywhere.

Cooking dinner, shopping, playing sport, reading together or talking about the day all create opportunities for children to ask questions, solve problems and build confidence.

Everyday experiences help children develop curiosity, persistence and communication skills.

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

Reading together, talking about everyday experiences and encouraging questions help children build curiosity and confidence.

As children grow, everyday opportunities to solve problems, make decisions and reflect on their learning help build independence.

Encourage organisational skills, persistence and confidence to help young people manage new routines and expectations.

Conversations about interests, goals and future pathways help young people connect learning with the opportunities ahead.

Keep this Guide Handy

Family Learning Guide Front Cover

Prefer something you can save or print? Our Family Learning Guide brings together the key ideas, conversation starters and practical tips from this page in one easy-to-use resource you can return to whenever you need it.

Ready to Explore Learning Together?

The ideas on this page can be used anytime, anywhere to help children grow as confident learners.

If you're looking for curriculum-linked activities that connect with what your child is learning at school, explore our Family Learning Activities page. You'll find downloadable science and mathematics resources organised by year level and topic.

Explore our webpage full of Family Learning Activities

Continue Supporting Learning

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. You don't have to have all the answers.

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