You Know the Answer—But How Do You Explain It to a Seven-Year-Old?

Knowing how to solve a question and explaining it to a child are two different skills.

You might see the answer immediately. Your child may still be figuring out what the question means. When you skip straight to the solution, they can miss the steps that make it understandable.

Try starting here.

Find out where they’re stuck.

Ask, “What part makes sense to you?” Then, “Which part feels confusing?” This helps you avoid explaining everything when they only need help with one piece.

Make it concrete.

For a maths question, use blocks, pencils or a quick drawing. For an unfamiliar word, use a sentence connected to their everyday life.

Something they can see or recognise may be easier to discuss than an abstract explanation.

Give one step at a time.

Explain a small part, then pause. Let your child try before adding more information.

Instead of repeating a longer explanation, ask, “What could we do first?”

Let them explain it back.

Try, “Show me how you worked that out.” Their explanation can reveal whether they understand or are simply copying your steps.

If they’re still confused, change the example or take a break. Repeating the same words louder rarely makes them clearer.

You don’t have to deliver the perfect explanation on your first attempt. Homework support is often a conversation: try, listen, adjust.