KS1 Learning6 min read
Telling the Time in Year 1 and Year 2: A Parent's Guide
A step-by-step guide to helping your child learn to tell the time in KS1, from o'clock and half past to quarter past and quarter to.
13 October 2026Read more →
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The parent corner · Spark LearnLittle ideas.
Little ideas.
Growing confidence.
Practical tips and activities for parents supporting their little learners, from early years to KS1.
KS1 Learning4 min read
What Is 'Maths Mastery' and Why Are UK Schools Using It?
What maths mastery means, how fluency and understanding work together, and practical questions parents can ask about support, challenge and home practice.
6 October 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning5 min read
Your Child's First Reading Book: How to Make the Most of It
Practical tips for reading your child's first school reading book together — making it enjoyable, effective, and stress-free.
29 September 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Sight Words vs Phonics: What's the Difference and Does It Matter?
What sight words, phonics and tricky words mean, how they fit together, and practical ways to support accurate reading alongside your child’s school.
25 September 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Phonics in Reception: What to Expect in the First Term
A clear guide to what your child will learn in phonics during their first term in reception, and how to support them at home.
15 September 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning7 min read
What Your Child Will Learn in Year 1: A Term-by-Term Overview
A comprehensive guide to the Year 1 national curriculum in England, covering what your child will learn in maths, English, science, and more across the school year.
8 September 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Subtraction Without Tears: Making 'Taking Away' Click
Practical tips and activities to help your KS1 child understand subtraction, from concrete objects to number sentences.
28 August 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Simple Phonics Activities You Can Do on a Rainy Day
Fun, low-prep phonics games and activities to keep your child learning at home when the weather keeps you indoors.
4 August 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning5 min read
Spelling at Home: Why Copying Words Out 10 Times Doesn't Work
Evidence-based spelling strategies for KS1 children that actually work — and why traditional methods like writing words out repeatedly fall short.
10 July 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Alien Words and Pseudo Words: Why Schools Use Made-Up Words
An explanation of why schools use alien words and pseudo words in phonics, and how they help children become better readers.
30 June 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
What 'Curriculum-Aligned' Actually Means (and Why It Matters)
A plain-English explanation of what curriculum-aligned learning resources are and why they matter for your child's education.
23 June 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Helping Your Child With Phonics at Home: A Week-by-Week Approach
A simple week-by-week plan for supporting your child's phonics learning at home, with practical activities for each day.
9 June 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
10-Minute Maths Games You Can Play Anywhere (No Worksheets Needed)
Quick, fun maths games for KS1 children that you can play at the supermarket, in the car, or waiting for dinner — no paper required.
5 June 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning7 min read
What Is the Phonics Screening Check? Everything You Need to Know
A complete parent's guide to the Year 1 phonics screening check — what it is, how it works, how to prepare, and what happens if your child doesn't pass.
29 May 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning7 min read
Letters and Sounds Phases Explained — From Phase 1 to Phase 5
A clear, parent-friendly guide to the Letters and Sounds phonics phases used in UK primary schools, from Phase 1 through to Phase 5.
15 May 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
What Are Book Bands? A Parent's Guide to UK Reading Levels
A clear explanation of the UK book band system, what each colour level means, and how to support your child's reading at home.
5 May 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
Reading With Your Child: 5 Habits That Build Lifelong Readers
Five simple daily habits that help children aged 2–6 develop a genuine love of reading, backed by research and easy to start today.
1 May 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning5 min read
Number Bonds Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter
A clear explanation of number bonds for parents, with examples and practical ways to practise them at home.
24 April 2026Read more →
KS1 Learning4 min read
How to Keep KS1 Skills Sharp Over the Holidays (Without the Battles)
Practical tips for keeping Year 1 and Year 2 maths, reading, and spelling skills fresh during school holidays.
7 April 2026Read more →