Find out what your child can expect from Year 2 and how Cluey Learning can help them excel at Maths and English.
What to expect in Year 2
The Australian Curriculum sets the goal for what students should learn as they progress through their school life, wherever they live in Australia and whatever school they attend. The curriculum is flexible, which means that teachers can plan the learning for all their students with consideration for their specific school community. If your child is about to start Year 2, here’s what they can expect.
In Year 2, your child’s learning will progressively change from mainly play-based education to a more structured schedule. There will still be plenty of play and hands-on activities for them in and outside the classroom, especially around topics such as history, the arts, science, society and culture and storytelling.
Year 2 students will be encouraged to learn to investigate by observing and exploring the world around them and to find solutions and answers to questions. Through exploration, practice and play, their curiosity about people, places and how things work will grow.
What does your child learn in Year 2?
English and Maths are the core subjects in Year 2, as the priority in this school year is on the development of literacy and numeracy. However, this is also found in the other subjects such as science, health and physical education, technologies, humanities and social sciences and the arts. Students may also get the opportunity to learn the basics of a language other than English.
Maths in Year 2 focusses specifically on the development of numeracy. Your child will be introduced to mathematical symbols and ideas, with the aim to help them develop simple strategies to investigate and solve problems.
Children will further develop their counting and calculation skills. They’ll learn their two, five and 10 times tables and extend their ability to add and subtract. Basic terms of weight and measurement, as well as fractions will be introduced.
You can help your child develop this learning further at home and during everyday activities. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a Maths whiz to help. Here are some ideas:
- Bake a cake together and let them take care of the measurements.
- Let them figure out what the groceries cost during a trip to the supermarket.
- Play shop or board games that make them think about numbers.
- Find code-cracking games as they’ll help your child think logically.
- Venture out together on a clear night and count the stars.
Another great idea is to make up addition and subtraction stories together. For example: Two chickens, three hedgehogs and a rabbit have a picnic in the park. How many animals are there altogether? Four frogs join them. How many are there now? One chicken and a hedgehog go home. How many animals are left at the picnic? Have some fun with it and they’ll learn without realising it.
How Cluey can help with Year 2 Maths
If you feel your child is falling behind in Year 2 and could use some help with the fundamentals, or if you think they are ready to extend their learning, our expert tutors are here to help. Our learning programs are structured according to your child's skill level and individual needs.
Cluey's face-to-face tutoring sessions are held exclusively via our custom-built online learning platform. We’re here to help your child build (or extend) core maths knowledge by supporting what is happening in class with our curriculum-aligned programs. The tutor will be matched to your child's needs, and all our programs are designed to be fun and engaging.
Find out how: https://clueylearning.com.au/year-2-maths/
The English curriculum for Year 2 has a strong focus on the development of literacy. In class, your child will listen to texts that entertain, inform and persuade and enjoy picture books, non-fiction and film. As young students grow into more independent readers, they will be introduced to a range of different texts which helps them to become more confident communicators.
If you read a lot yourself, your child is much more likely to also pick up a book. You can visit the library together and help your child understand that reading is important by modelling how to read maps, books, recipes, and directions.
Here are some simple things you can do at home to help your child improve their English.
- Take your child to the library regularly and help them choose books.
- Read together every day and ask them questions about the book or story.
- Play word games to help them memorise words that they find difficult.
- Point out words on posters, billboards and signs and talk about the meaning of them.
- Encourage your child to read all sorts of things - the newspaper, street signs, food labels.
Lots of reading also makes children better writers as it teaches them what's most effective in terms of building sentences, developing a story structure and creating metaphors. It also improves their imagination, and they will learn how to add emotion, creative expression, and purpose to their own writing.
Just remember that every child learns at their own pace, so the most important thing you can do is to make it fun, not a chore.
How Cluey can help with Year 2 English
Cluey’s approach to primary English focuses on core literacy skills, including reading and writing techniques in the early years. Our primary tutors are experts at helping your child with their studies in Year 2. Learning with Cluey is a great way for your child to catch up, keep up, or even exceed their peers.
They can learn from home (or anywhere) via our online platform and our flexible sessions are designed to fit around your family schedule. They are held between 7am and 10pm, 7 days per week. Our tailored approach gives your child the opportunity to learn at their own pace and focus specifically on the parts of English that they find challenging.
Find out how: https://clueylearning.com.au/year-2-english/
For busy families, Cluey Learning is available to give students help at the right time through supportive and engaging online tutoring, with expertly developed learning programs in both English and Maths.
How do schools measure achievement in Year 2
Teachers use a range of different assessment strategies and tools to determine student achievement with reference to the standards in the Australian Curriculum. Starting in primary school, children are graded on the standard Australian academic scale. Based on their findings, teachers make an on-balance judgement to decide which grade best matches the standard the student has achieved.
Parents will receive two written reports each year – one mid-term report and another at the end of the school year. These reports will help you understand how your child is progressing and how the school supports your child’s learning and development. Each learning area has their own achievement standards. These standards describe in plain language what your child should typically know, understand and be able to do by the end of each year level.
More details around the achievement standards and content descriptions for the eight learning areas in Year 1 and 2 can be found on the ACARA website.
Things you can do to help your child
In Year 2, children are well on their way to become independent learners. Year 2 teachers expect children to be able to take care of most of their personal needs, follow directions without close guidance, and to be self-motivated in terms of working and learning.
That’s why at home, you should also give your child more opportunities to explore and solve problems independently. Allowing a child some freedom is a great way to empower them, build confidence in their decision-making skills. Give your child responsibilities they can handle as it will improve their metacognition, self-efficacy, and social skills. Here are some simple steps you can take:
- Don’t do everything
Allowing your child to become more independent is the best gift you can give as a parent. If you show them how to do things instead of doing it for them, you’ll both benefit.
- Establish a routine
When children start making more decisions for themselves and do more things without being overly supervised, it’s much easier with a fixed routine as it helps them think sequentially.
- Teach them negotiation
Teach your child about compromise and how to negotiate and they’ll quickly learn how to make the best out of any situation. It will help them prioritise their own preferences, too.
- Keep encouraging them
Positive feedback is essential in shaping your child’s personality. When they do something well all by themselves, show them how happy you are and tell them you’re proud.
- Don’t make it a big deal if they fail
If they mess up, try not to criticise them. Instead, gently show them the correct way to do things. Explain that everyone makes mistakes, and that no one is perfect.
How Cluey's tutoring can help your child succeed
In a fun and unhurried way, we work directly with students and their families to strengthen children’s education, supporting them in their academic development in a way that meets their individual needs and circumstances. From catching up, building confidence and excelling in school - parents and students alike agree that Cluey works.
We’ve helped thousands of families throughout Australia with school support, thanks to our personalised learning programs in both English and Maths. Our tutors are all experienced and qualified who enjoy nothing more than supporting children to stay on track and engage their minds.
All Cluey Learning programs are flexible to suit your busy schedule. With a tailored tutoring plan, all your child's learning goals are covered.
Find out more about our primary school support and tutoring
And discover what parents all across Australian are saying about Cluey - read our Google reviews
