5 Simple Strategies to Support Little Learners at Home

If you’re reading this then you probably have a little learner at home. Maybe a curious kindergartener who asks 47 questions before breakfast, or a first grader who can read every single Pokémon card but somehow doesn’t know how to read their sight words. (Funny how that works.)

Whether your child is a toddler, in early elementary, or you’re homeschooling, one thing is true in the classroom or at home: kids learn best when they are in a safe, comfortable space that sparks curiosity and makes them excited to try new things. The good news? Supporting your little one doesn’t mean recreating a classroom at your kitchen table. You don’t need a bulletin board, an overhead projector, or a stash of gold star stickers. (Though stickers never hurt.)

Today, I’m sharing five simple, teacher-approved strategies that make learning fun, structured, and stress-free at home. Bonus: they’re easy to slip into your existing routines without shopping for a ton of supplies.

1. Create a Predictable Daily Routine

Kids thrive on routines. Think of them as little humans with built-in GPS systems. They feel calmer when they know what’s coming next. A predictable daily flow helps reduce meltdowns, builds independence, and creates space for learning.

This doesn’t mean you need a minute-by-minute schedule. Just anchor your day with a few “must-dos”: wake-up time, learning time, snack, play, story, bed. The predictability is what matters, not the exact timing. 

Teacher Tip: Post a simple routine checklist where your child can see it. Pictures work wonders for non-readers.

2. Turn Everyday Moments into Learning Opportunities

Learning doesn’t just happen during “sit down and focus” time. In fact, some of the best lessons are snuck into daily routines and happen naturally.

• Cooking? That’s math (measuring, counting, fractions) and science (mixing, melting, changing).
  
  

• Grocery shopping? That’s vocabulary, categories, and even budgeting.
  
  

• Car rides? Perfect time for rhyming games, “I Spy,” and quick fact practice. (And yes, I created a bank of ideas for you—scroll down for your free download!)
  
  
  

The key is keeping it playful. Kids remember learning that feels fun and connected to real life.

Teacher Tip: Ask open-ended questions. Instead of “What color is this apple?” try “What else is the same color as this apple?” Boom—vocabulary and thinking skills, unlocked.

A Little Story from Our Car Rides 

My son absolutely loves singing in the car. In fact, he asks for nursery rhymes so often that our rides sometimes resemble a live episode of The Mrs. Rachel Show. “Wheels on the Bus” is a staple, “Twinkle, Twinkle” makes a daily appearance, and heaven forbid I skip a verse, he notices every time.

What might look like simple entertainment is actually an incredible language-building activity. Nursery rhymes strengthen early literacy by developing phonemic awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words), expanding vocabulary, and supporting memory through repetition. The rhythm and rhyme patterns lay the groundwork for reading fluency, while pairing songs with motions builds comprehension and sequencing skills.

So when we’re singing “Patty Cake” for the 12th time in a row, I know it’s not just keeping him happy, it’s giving his brain practice with sounds, words, and meaning. Even playful, silly songs are powerful tools for early language development. And yes, belting out “E-I-E-I-O” on the highway has definitely become one of my favorite ways to sneak in a little learning.

3. Use Short Bursts of Learning (a.k.a. The Power of 10 Minutes)

Here’s a secret: little learners don’t need hour-long lessons. In fact, their attention spans don’t last that long. Research shows young children can focus for about 2–5 minutes per year of age. That means your 5-year-old? You’re looking at 10–25 minutes, max.

Instead of marathon sessions, sprinkle in short bursts of focused learning. Ten minutes of phonics here, 15 minutes of math there. Pair it with lots of breaks, movement, and play.

Teacher Tip: Use a visual timer. Kids love seeing the time shrink, and it helps them understand “We’re working for just this long.”

4. Build in Movement and Play

Movement isn’t just for recess—it actually boosts brain function and helps kids retain what they learn. Play is equally important. When children “play school,” act out stories, or build with blocks, they’re practicing problem-solving, creativity, and social skills.

• Practice sight words by hopping to them on sticky notes taped to the floor.
  
  
  

• Act out a favorite story with stuffed animals.
  
  
  

• Use building blocks to make math problems visible.
  
  
  

Teacher Tip: Don’t feel guilty if “learning time” turns into giggles and play. That’s where the magic happens.

5. Read, Read, Read (and Then Read Some More)

If I could bottle one strategy for early learning success, it would be this: read with your child every single day. Reading builds vocabulary, imagination, comprehension, and a lifelong love for learning.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Five minutes before bed, a silly picture book, or even letting your child “read” the pictures to you. Every moment counts.

Teacher Tip: Let your child choose the book. Kids are more engaged when they’re excited about the story, even if it’s the same dinosaur book for the 103rd time.

Freebie for You: 40 Ways to Encourage Learning in the Car 

Let’s be honest, families spend a lot of time waiting—in the car, at the doctor’s office, in grocery store lines, or before soccer practice. Sometimes it feels like half of parenting is just keeping kids occupied. But here’s the good news: those moments are golden opportunities for sneaky learning.

To make it simple, I created a “40 Ways to Encourage Learning in the Car (and Beyond!)” cheat sheet. (I actually made 2 versions—one geared toward toddlers and early learners, and the other for early elementary-age kids.) It’s a printable list packed with quick, no-prep activities you can use anywhere—no supplies needed, just your voices, imaginations, and maybe the radio. 

Inside you’ll find ideas like:

• Rhyming and word games
  
  
  

• Quick math challenges (“How many red cars can we count before the stoplight?”)
  
  
  

• Story starters to spark creativity
  
  
  

• Memory and recall games
  
  
  

• Conversation prompts to build language and connection
  
  
  

It’s free, fun, and a great way to turn everyday car time into little bursts of learning.

[Download your free copy HERE!]