Video transcript

Narrator: School days are busy and demanding, so free play time is really important for school children. Play gives her the chance to express her imagination and have fun. It also helps her learn how to get along with others, and it's great for burning off energy too.

Although your child is more independent now and maturing all the time, your relationship with him is central to his life. Your support and encouragement gives him the confidence to try new things, develop new skills, and make friends. Your child's world is opening up, and her relationships with other children, teachers, and families are becoming more important to her.

The experiences he shares with people helps him learn and develop new skills, and all the skills and things he learns now build on everything he's learned already. This learning is happening all the time in the everyday things you and other people do with your child, like playing games, family gatherings, going to school, and after-school activities.

Playing games with friends and family can be great fun, and helps with thinking and social skills. Games like chasey, handball, or soccer get your child moving and connect her with her neighbourhood. Other quieter activities, like jigsaw puzzles, drawing, board games, or computer games, give your family some downtime. Play is a big part of how children connect with others and make friends at school.  Being involved in games can help your child get to know her school mates and settle into school more easily. She'll learn about taking turns, sharing, and cooperating with her new friends as she plays.

In these early school years, your child might need to do a small amount of homework. It could be reading, writing, or collecting interesting objects to share with the class. He might also want to do his own learning outside of school work about other things that interest him. All of this learning gives your child a chance to practice skills, be resourceful, and learn about being organised. Supporting your child's learning makes him feel loved, and sparks his curiosity. It also shows him you're interested in what he's learning.

Your child is an amazing learner. He's learning new things all the time through the relationships and interactions he shares with you and others. All the things you do every day help your child to grow and thrive.