After the government’s announcement of new bursaries and scholarships for trainee teachers in core subjects like maths, science, and computing, FindTutors is helping parents understand how to guide their children through these complex areas of study.
Subjects such as maths, science, and modern languages consistently appear among the hardest for pupils to learn. This school year, the government has added 100 extra hours of English and maths lessons for post-16 students, aiming to help them achieve level 2 standards.
However, FindTutors notes that effective home learning plays an equally important role. For many parents, supporting their children can feel daunting as educational methods evolve.
“Complex subjects don’t have to be intimidating. The key is helping children develop effective learning strategies that work for them personally. Every child learns differently, and what works for one may not work for another,” says Albert Clemente, CEO of FindTutors.
“Parents shouldn’t feel they need to be subject experts themselves. Their role is to provide encouragement, create a supportive learning environment, and help children develop the resilience and problem-solving skills they need to tackle challenging material. These are skills that will serve them throughout their education and beyond.”
Break down complex topics into manageable steps
Complex subjects become overwhelming when children try to tackle too much at once. Help them break larger topics into smaller, digestible chunks. For mathematics, this might mean mastering one type of equation before moving to the next. For languages, focus on practical conversation topics rather than attempting to learn all grammar rules simultaneously.
Connect learning to real-world applications
Help children see how complex subjects relate to everyday life—calculate percentages while shopping, identify chemical reactions while cooking, or practice language skills by watching films with subtitles.
Establish consistent practice routines
A peer-reviewed study by FindTutors, in partnership with GoStudent, found that students who saw a tutor three times a week improved their grades the most, with consistency and frequency directly correlated with increased performance. This principle applies equally to home learning. Regular, shorter practice sessions are more effective than occasional lengthy cramming sessions.
Focus on understanding over memorisation
Encourage children to explain concepts in their own words, teach material to a family member or a sibling, or create mind maps that show connections between different ideas.
Build confidence and resilience through incremental progress
Students who improve their grades typically also increase their confidence levels, demonstrating the powerful link between achievement and self-belief. Celebrate small wins, acknowledge effort over innate ability, and help children recognise their progress over time.
If you need help from outside the household, look for a tutor who can support your child’s learning and build resilience.
By creating a foundation of emotional support, practical guidance and unwavering acceptance, you can help transform tricky school subjects to an opportunity for growth in resilience – a skill that will serve them far beyond school and exams.
