It's the start of a new term, but instead of putting on their shoes and heading into the classroom, primary school children in Cowbridge continue learning from home.

Schools are will not re-open for in-person teaching until 18 January at the earliest, the Welsh Government announced on Monday.

Nub News spoke to a local tutor to find out how parents and children can get the most out of learning at home.

Louise Bourne offers tutoring for children in primary school, focusing on maths and English .

Her advice to parents of primary school children was to understand their feelings, and focus on the basics.

"It's good to have some kind of routine, but to be flexible in that routine. If your child is feeling a bit tired or unwell that day, let them have a rest and do a nice quiet activity," said Louise.

"It's about tuning in to your own child and knowing what they need and when. You don't have to say 'it's school time now, so you must do school work'.

"Be aware of how they're feeling, and be flexible with how you respond to it," she said.

Louise also reassured parents who might be feeling the pressure of having children learn at home.

"Parents do lack confidence; I think parents worry homework has to be done perfectly. But it wouldn't be perfect if it was being done in school either," said Louise.

"Just do the basics well, keep up with reading especially for younger children. Either being read to if that's the stage they're at, or sharing books, or improving their own reading, and then a bit of counting.

"It's not all about the academic side. I'm a great believer in getting outdoors and take breaks.

"Even helping with cooking in the kitchen and talking it through with them. Maybe they can read the recipe, read out some numbers and measurements?

"People have got board games and memory games for Christmas, playing those is a great option.

"These help build those wider skills that they don't necessarily get in school.

"There's lots of online games that children can play, and there are plenty of websites and educational programmes on television too," she said.

With so many changes to their education as well as life in general, students may be struggling to focus or feeling anxious about doing lessons at home.

"Conversation – just talking to them is where you'll tune in with them about how they're feeling," said Louise.

"They will feel more secure with the whole situation and less anxious if they've got the feeling that their parents are calm.

"If you're having terrible battles getting them to focus on work, just leave it and come back to it another time.

"The most important thing is for parents to relax, and keep hold of the basics," she said.