Originally posted June 5th 2023 | With a 5 year old that has just started flexi-schooling, workbooks are a big part of our day to day life. From maths to handwriting to understanding the world, we seem to have it all.
And with a myriad of books to choose from in places like The Works and Amazon, you can quickly pick up what you need, when you need it.
What are workbooks used for?
Workbooks are a fantastic way to start teaching your child before they reach school age. And if like us you flexi-school or home-school, then they’re perfect for tracking progress and laying things out in a fun and engaging way.
They can be used to improve handwriting, reading and also concentration. And they can also be used as a way for you or your child to see what they’ve learnt and how much they’ve improved over time.
In fact, many educators consider workbooks to be among the best tools for teachers, especially when looking to reinforce concepts or gauge a student’s understanding. These resources often come with interactive exercises and real-world examples, making the learning experience more dynamic and relatable for students. Their structured format not only aids in systematic learning but also provides opportunities for teachers to introduce creativity and flexibility in their lesson plans.
Ready to start? Have a look at our tips below for how to get the most out of workbooks and givie your child a head start to their education.
Make it fun
When you first start out with workbooks, the main thing to do is to make it fun. Look for workbooks that fit the age of your child, and have lots of colours, pictures and a friendly and engaging tone to them.
The first couple of books you go through will probably end up full of scribbles and doodles, especially for pre schoolers, but that’s OK. They’ll get used to what they need to do pretty quickly.
Don’t put too much pressure on them
Young children don’t like to sit still for very long, it’s just a universal fact. Even if they’re doing something they really enjoy, they will invariably wriggle about, get up or go in search of snacks in the kitchen.
The best way to help your child to stay focused is to start with a page or two a day and give them a sticker or something similar as a reward for completing it.
Keep notes of what they’re interested in
If your child races through the handwriting book, or talks about their around the world book constantly, then keep a note of it.
Following what they’re interested in and what they’re good at means that you can bring these books out on the days that they may need a little bit of extra encouragement. Doing something they’re interested in will make it seem less like learning, and more like fun for them!
Keep notes of what they struggle with
It’s also a good idea to keep notes of what your child struggles with and may take longer to grasp. If you find that they’re struggling with maths or spelling for example, then you can try and incorporate these things into day to day life.
Reading road and shop signs when you’re out and about, or adding up prices in shops can all help.
Look back through the workbooks
Sometimes you might feel like your child isn’t getting anywhere and that their progress has come to a halt. If you feel like this, then it’s always a good idea to look back through the workbooks to see just how far they’ve come.
Noticing how their handwriting has changed, or how their spelling has improved can be a big motivator (for you and for them).
Learn with them
If you’re not sure on something that’s mentioned in a workbook, then don’t be afraid to look it up! Workbooks can be a great way for us to learn too.
One of my sons favourite topics at the moment is learning about the world and different countries. I’m forever on Google searching for pictures and looking up the history of places like The Eiffel Tower and Machu Picchu! And I have to admit, I’m finding it quite fun.
Use real life examples
Workbooks are great, but nothing beats real life learning. If you’re concentrating on reading, then why not get out and about and read some street name signs on a walk. Or if you’re learning about the world, then hop onto Google and find some photos of different countries. Maths can be made easy by using rice crispies or dry pasta to count with.
Incorporating learning into real life situations means that you can carry on teaching even when you’re doing the weekly shop.
Take it slow
Kids are kids, and some days they’re just not going to want to sit down and do their workbooks, especially when you first start. The best thing to do is to take a break and carry on the next day.
Learning at home should be fun and should be something that our little ones want to do. So don’t worry too much if you miss a few days here and there.
Make it part of your routine
Trying to stick to the same times and days of the week for getting the workbooks out can really help to keep young children interested.
If you always do a couple of pages after breakfast, or just before lunch, then they start to know what to expect.
Similarly, if you always stick to the same days each week, then they’ll get used to the routine and eventually start to get into workbook mode by themselves.
Always try to follow up workbook time with something fun too. A trip to the park or half an hour of their favourite show can really help to keep that motivation going.
Once you get started with workbooks, you’ll notice that they will quickly become a part of your day to day lives. And you’ll also start to notice that as your children get older, you’ll start to learn new things too! I know a lot more about landmarks and continents than I ever did before!
If you’re ready to take the leap and dive into the world of workbooks, then check out some of our favourites below:
Usborne First Illustrated Maths Dictionary
Letts Maths and English: Age 3-5
Sticker Picture Atlas of the World
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