Unlocking Your Child’s Learning Superpower: The Power of Metacognition

Imagine your child is about to build a complex Lego structure. They could dive straight in, randomly selecting pieces and hoping it turns out well. Or, they could pause, look at the instructions, think about the best way to begin, and check their progress as they go. The second approach is metacognition in action—a skill that helps children become aware of their own thinking and learning.

Metacognition, often described as ‘thinking about thinking,’ is a powerful tool that enables children to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning. It is not just about what they learn but how they learn. “Metacognition is the ability to be aware of our cognitive or thought processes and to monitor, reflect on and change those processes,” says Dr Rose Luckin, professor of Learner Centred Design at the University College London (UCL) Knowledge Lab.

Personally, this is a real passion of mine, and the cognitive theory behind metacognition is featuring heavily in my Master of Education dissertation with University of Bath.

Why Does Metacognition Matter?

Research shows that metacognitive skills significantly enhance academic achievement. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has identified metacognition and self-regulation as one of the most impactful strategies for improving student outcomes, particularly in primary-aged children. When students are aware of their thought processes, they become more independent learners, better problem-solvers, and more resilient in the face of challenges.

Whilst we’re in agreement that metacognition is a powerful tool to harness, such an abstract and intangible skillset make metacognition more challenging to apply effectively in the classroom. At BISC-LP, we are researching, developing and implement new metacognitive strategies at all times.

Most recently, I developed and implemented a metacognitive strategy for use in KS2 math lessons. To grow reasoning and explanation skills, we ask children to answer questions that provide opportunities to both reason and explain, such as ‘Look at this child’s working out. What mistake have they made here?’ or ‘If I clap on multiples of 6 and click on multiples of 4, I will only do both when I say 24. True or False?’ or ‘David believes this fraction cannot be simplified because the denominator is odd. Do you agree or disagree?’ To begin with, whilst the students enjoyed the challenge, their responses lacked depth and clarity. To tackle this, we implemented a chili challenge reflection. I devised a handbook that detailed the response at each level of the scale (salt and pepper, mild, spicy, hot, and extra hot). The handbook gave examples too. Children were asked to determine what level on the scale their response warranted. This focus on reflection allowed children to stay and mull over their learning, to determine what had been included and what had not. By identifying this, children could then clearly see how they could improve and move up to the next level on the scale. An image of the handbook is included below:

This has had a significant impact in our classrooms and our children clearly feel better equipped to both reflect and deepen their learning responses.

How Can Parents Support Metacognition at Home?

The good news is that metacognitive skills can be nurtured at home through simple yet effective strategies. Here are some practical ways to help your child develop these skills:

1. Encourage Reflection

Ask your child questions that prompt them to think about their thinking. For example:

• What was tricky about that homework task?
• How did you figure out the answer?
• What could you do differently next time?

2. Model Your Own Thinking

Children learn by example. Verbalize your thought process when solving problems: “I need to bake a cake. First, I’ll check the ingredients. Then, I’ll follow the steps one by one to make sure I don’t miss anything.”

3. Use a Growth Mindset Approach

Help your child understand that mistakes are learning opportunities. Instead of saying, “I’m not good at maths,” encourage, “I’m still learning how to solve these problems, and I can get better with practice.”

4. Teach Goal Setting

Encourage your child to set small, achievable goals. If they are working on a project, help them break it into steps: “What do you need to do first? How will you know when you’re finished?”

5. Ask ‘What If’ Questions

Pose hypothetical scenarios to encourage flexible thinking: “What if you tried a different way to solve that puzzle? What would happen if you changed your approach?”

6. Encourage Journaling

A simple learning journal where children reflect on what they learned each day and how they learned it can reinforce metacognitive habits.

The Lifelong Benefits

When children develop metacognitive skills, they don’t just perform better in school—they build confidence, independence, and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. As parents, your support in fostering these skills at home can be one of the greatest gifts you give your child.

By encouraging your child to think about their thinking, you are equipping them with a superpower that will serve them well in school and beyond. So next time your child faces a challenge, take a step back and ask, “How are you thinking about this?”—because that simple question could make all the difference.

Nord Anglia is working closely with Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, to supply our students with a metacognitive toolbox, to better articulate their understanding of their own understanding. We’re excited to see how we can better harness the power of metacognition in the future!

Sophia Knight

Year 4 Teacher & Curriculum Director