How well your child does at school will depend on the support available at home. Because the best teacher your child will ever have is you  here's how to ensure you make the grade!

Children are amazing students they're programmed to learn from birth. They begin by imitating us and can, early on, distinguish between languages. By two a child can make himself understood (and knows far more than he's letting on!). And by five, a child can be fluently bilingual, without confusion.

The potential to learn is huge. And the best possible place for your child to learn isn't a good school with fancy techniques. It's in the safe and secure environment of your own home. And you, his parents, are the best teachers.

Most of us stimulate our babies naturally, but once they've grown up and started school, it's tempting to let the teachers get on with it. But your input is more invaluable than ever. Studies show that children do much better at school and in exams if both parents take an interest and are supportive with homework.

It shouldn't just fall to Mum either. Research published last year, based on more than 3,000 youngsters, showed that children whose fathers are involved and interested in their school work, who read to them regularly and take them on outings, achieve more academically by the age of 20.

Invest time while your child is young and it will pay dividends.

Learn to teach Your child doesn't have to have formal 'lessons'. If it's fun and relaxed, a child absorbs more that goes for babies too.

Helping your Baby

Make faces. Babies mimic expressions and shape their mouths as they 'babble'. Babies enjoy repetition build up a repertoire of nursery rhymes, poems and tunes to help with speech development. Introduce rhythm with clapping or gentle rocking games, for coordination. Shaking rattles provides an early lesson in cause and effect. Play 'Peekaboo' to strengthen the understanding that objects still exist when they're out of view. Animate soft toys with voices and characters to encourage social interaction and speech development.

Helping your Toddler/pre-schooler

Boost memory skills. Cover a variety of objects with a blanket, remove one object, and remove the cover to reveal what's left. See if your child can work out what you've taken away. For an early maths lesson, allow your toddler to sort jigsaws from other puzzles, soft toys from hard ones or to create pairs with socks and shoes. Let your child mess around with paints, a sand tray or a lump of dough it's a great way to learn about colours, textures and shapes. Is it full or empty? Does it float or sink? A tray of water, beakers and other objects provide an early science lesson. It's fun to do this in the bath. Every young child should have a book collection to encourage literacy skills early. You can pick up good books at great prices from library sales, for example. Invite a friend over who's got a child of the same age and go to toddler groups. Encouraging social skills early on will help your toddler interact when it's time to start school.

Pre-school education

By law, your child doesn't have to attend any formal pre-school education, but it may help him to prepare for school by socialising with others the same age and experiencing some group structure. Many toddlers, between the ages of two and three, start with one or two half-day sessions, extending to four or five half-day sessions in the run-up to starting school. Some funding for these sessions is usually available when your child reaches the age of four. Options include state, voluntary and private nurseries, childminders and playgroups, available to children between the ages of two and five. They have Government-set early learning goals which they follow, and are inspected regularly by Ofsted.

Helping your School-age child

Allow your child to handle money, to buy sweets and comics, and to count the change. Let your child see you writing and enjoying books. Encourage them to write thank-you letters and keep a journal. Ask them to read signs and symbols when you're out and about as a way of improving reading skills. Don't scorn activities that seem girlish (cooking) or boyish (climbing). Encourage your child to be open to any new experiences. Try ten minutes of 'paired reading' a day. Read alongside your child unless they want to read alone. If they hesitate over a word, say it to them and get them to repeat it. Take an interest in your child's homework.

Handy homework hints

Always be positive about homework. Have a routine. Create a comfortable area with no distractions. And set a time limit. Pick a time when your child's fresh after tea is probably too late. Monitor, but don't do your child's homework. Encourage them to do their best, but don't bully them into being perfect. If they're struggling, or if there seems too much work, have a word with the teacher.

The do's and don'ts of boosting learning at home

Don't get cross if your child's not meeting your standards or concentrating. Don't pressurise your child. Don't label your child as weak in any subject. If you make them believe they're not up to scratch in some area they may end up living up to that label. Do lavish heaps of praise on your child. Do let them know that you have high (but not insurmountable!) expectations, and they will expect to do well.

The home educator

Educating your child at home used to be seen as rather odd. Twenty years ago it was viewed as unusual and drastic to remove a child from a familiar and conventional system of learning.

But today, an increasing number of parents are realising that school whether it's doing well in league tables or not might not provide the best opportunities for their child to reach full potential. So they're turning to their own homes and skills to educate their children themselves. Around 150,000 children are currently being educated at home. That's roughly one percent of the school-age (five to 16 years) population.

Most home educators don't have teaching qualifications, but what they lack in degrees they make up for in resourcefulness and commitment. They're as capable as 'professionals' at giving their child a thirst for knowledge, without many of the distractions.

Home education is completely legal. In most cases you don't even need consent (there's an exception with special-needs children). Home-educated children can follow the school curriculum and sit exams if you wish, but they don't have to. Within the home education community there's usually a special effort made to mix their children with their peers, so they don't miss out on the social aspect of school.

The pros

It's flexible you and your child decide the timetable, the subjects and the method. You can home educate for a couple of years and allow your child to slip back into the school system if necessary. Your child dictates the pace. They won't fall behind because you have the time to explain things properly. If your child has special needs or has been bullied at school, it can remove a lot of the anxiety for you both. Your child, especially if they're sensitive, won't have their confidence knocked by other pupils or teachers. You can teach your child how to think and seek answers by using the resources available encyclopedias, Internet, library rather than just presenting them with the answers. You don't have to buy uniforms, pay fees or make packed lunches!

The cons

Unless you're organised, you might feel overwhelmed by your decision and incapable of following it through. If you're not skilled in a specific area, you might feel you're failing your child by not having the answers. Your child might be seen as 'different' and you might be criticised for being unconventional. With no break away from you at school, your child will be with you 24/7 parents and children need time off from each other. There's no financial assistance and although you won't be presented with a booklist, you will probably have to buy some books and/or equipment. Your home must be conducive to learning. Your child won't concentrate with ababy crying and a TV in the background.

More info

For details about educating your child at home contact:

Home Education Advisory Service: 01707 371854; www.heas.org.uk Education Otherwise: 0870 730 0074; www.education-otherwise.org The Department for Education and Skills: 0870 000 2288; www.dfes.gov.uk