Family Learning Courses Starting Soon at Kent Adult Education

Why Join a Family Learning Course?

Real-time, interactive learning - online or in local venues

Courses are delivered live, so you can ask questions, share experiences and learn with other parents and carers. Many sessions are hosted online via Zoom, while others take place in schools, libraries, museums, Family Hubs and centres across Kent, making it easier to fit learning around family life.

Practical strategies you can use immediately

From sleep routines to managing anxiety and helping children with homework, these sessions focus on "what works" at home. The format is discussion based and non-judgemental, so you won't be told "how to parent", instead you'll explore ideas, get tools to try and reflect on what helps your unique family.

Support for children's learning (and yours!)

Family Learning also offers English, Maths and ESOL support that helps you understand school methods and build confidence in these subjects - so you can better help your child with their schoolwork and homework. Courses like Keeping up with the Children - Maths and Family Maths to Exam bridge modern classroom strategies and home routines.

Inclusive and accessible

Courses are typically free to eligible learners and designed for parents, carers and grandparents aged 19+ who live in Kent. Many are suitable for adults-only; others invite your to learn alongside your child in creative or STEM activities.

Confidence, connection and wellbeing

Sessions aim to build parental confidence, reduce stress and strengthen communication at home. Popular topics - like anxiety support, ADHD strategies, autism awareness and screen habits - are presented by specialist tutors who understand local services and school contexts.

Managing Sleep

What you'll learn: Explore healthy sleep habits, bedtime barriers and simple, evidence-informed strategies to support children's (and your) sleep. You'll also discuss how poor sleep affects behaviour and family routines.

Why it helps family life: Better sleep reduces stress, improves classroom readiness and makes home life calmer. Many families find that small changes (consistent bedtime cues, wind-down routines, environment tweaks) make a big difference quickly. This session is adult-only, so you can speak freely and plan your next steps.

Autism Awareness

What you'll learn: Principles of autism spectrum condition, strengths-based perspectives, sensory differences, communication approaches, inclusive strategies and behaviour supports. Discussion-based, practical and informed by local contexts.

Why it helps: Understanding autistic profiles and environments reduces anxiety and increases success at home and school. You'll leave with ideas to adapt routines, strengthen communication and collaborate with settings to support your child.

Strategies to Support Your ADHD Child

What you'll learn: Practical home strategies for attention, organisation, routines, communication and emotional regulation - plus signposts to resources. Sessions are concise, focused and designed for busy families.

Why it helps: ADHD-friendly structures (visual schedules, movement breaks, task "chunking") often reduce day-to-day friction. Webinars offer bite-sized expert guidance, and you can combine with related sessions for a rounded plan.

Supporting Your Family Through Our Screen-Obsessed World

What you'll learn: Practical ways to manage screen time, build healthy digital habits, protect sleep, focus and family relationships. Expert discussion around boundaries, modelling and age-appropriate strategies.

Why it helps: Screens are part of modern life; this course helps you shape a balanced digital culture at home - reducing conflict while supporting learning and wellbeing. You can pair it with Managing Sleep for a powerful reset to evenings and bedtimes.

Supporting Your Teenager with their Mental Health

What you'll learn: Recognise signs of common teen mental health challenges, communicate effectively and create supportive home routines. You'll explore boundaries, sleep, social media, friendships and school liason.

Why it helps: Teen years bring big changes. Having a toolkit - calm conversations, clear expectations, practical coping skills - can transform tricky moments and help your young person feel seen and supported.

Calm Together - Emotional Regulation for You and Your Child

What you'll learn: How "co-regulation" helps children learn to manage big feelings - starting with adults lending calm. Expect simple, practical tools: co-breathing, naming emotions, gentle presence and rhythm - grounded in early years and family psychology.

Why it helps: Children "borrow" our calm before they can self-regulate. Practising co-regulation across daily routines (school runs, bedtimes, transitions) fosters resilience and stronger relationships.

Kite Making

What you'll do: Design and create your own kite, learn how kites fly and (weather permitting) test your design. A lively, hands-on sessions that blends creativity, engineering and outdoor fun.

Why it helps: Projects like kite making nurture persistence and problem-solving - and getting outdoors is great for wellbeing. It's also a lovely way to bring siblings together around a shared goal.

How Courses Support Parents and Carers in Everyday Life

Sleep: Learning how sleep affects mood and behaviour empowers parents to set up routines that stick. Understanding barriers (blue-light exposure, inconsistent cues, late meals) and using calm, consistent steps can improve bedtime and mornings - key to school and work days.

Anxiety: Many children experience anxiety at some point. Sessions normalise these experiences and offer tools (emotion naming, gradual exposure, "worry box", breathing, routine anchors). Parents meet peers, share tips and learn when to seek additional support through local services.

ADHD: Practical structures - visual schedules, movement, body-doubling, chunked tasks - can reduce overwhelm at home. Short webinars fit busy diaries and give focused ideas to try straight away.

Screens and digital life: Healthy boundaries and consistent expectations around devices protect sleep, attention and relationships. KAE's session is practical and realistic - acknowledging modern needs while helping families rebalance habits.

STEM and Creative Family sessions: Hands-on courses (Little Builders and Boffins, Kite Making, seasonal crafts) combine learning with fun - great for building confidence, curiosity and teamwork. Activities are designed to be achievable and engaging for mixed ages.