The Role of Parents in Supporting Learning at Home

How to be your child’s learning supporter, not their main teacher

It’s often said that parents are a child’s first teachers. But once children begin receiving homework from school, it’s important to see yourself more as a supporter than as the primary teacher. At Aussie Edu Hub, we often refer to homework as practice, because its real purpose is to help students apply what they’ve learned in class and grow into more independent learners.

There are two key aspects to supporting learning at home:

1. Helping with specific homework tasks
2. Encouraging a positive approach to learning in general

Understanding the difference between the two can help you better fulfil your role.

Supporting Homework

While homework sometimes gets a bad reputation, research shows it has real value — especially for secondary students. Homework works because it allows students to apply and reinforce what they’ve learned at school. That’s why it’s important to let children complete the work themselves.

This doesn’t mean you can’t help. You can explain concepts, answer questions, and guide them — but doing the work for them defeats the purpose. (And yes, teachers can usually spot “parent-completed” work a mile away!)

The best way to support homework is by providing structure and space:

• A quiet, dedicated spot for study
• A consistent time each day for homework
• Minimal distractions

If your home environment makes this difficult, look for alternatives. Some schools allow students to use the library after hours. Public libraries are also a great option. Many families turn to Aussie Edu Hub tutoring to provide structured time, personalised support, and a dedicated digital learning space where students can strengthen skills and get help with homework.

Building these routines doesn’t just help in the short term — it sets the foundation for lifelong positive work habits.

Supporting Learning in a Broader Sense

Beyond homework, supporting learning at home is about mindset. Parents can nurture a love for learning by:

• Speaking positively about their own learning experiences
• Reframing challenges as opportunities
• Showing curiosity about the world and about what their child is studying
• Emphasising that learning is a valuable, ongoing process — not just about grades or test scores

When children see learning as something enjoyable and meaningful, they’re more likely to stay engaged and develop resilience for when the process gets tough.

The Simplest (and Most Overlooked) Form of Support

Sometimes, the best way to support learning at home is surprisingly simple: make sure your child gets enough sleep. Neuroscience shows that new concepts and skills are consolidated in the brain during sleep — particularly in the nights immediately following new learning. Regular, high-quality sleep is one of the most powerful ways to ensure your child truly retains and can apply what they’ve learned.

Final Thought
Your role as a parent isn’t to replace the teacher, but to provide the environment, encouragement, and habits that help your child succeed. With the right balance of support and independence, you’ll help them develop skills that last far beyond their school years.