Children write exams because exams encourage them to engage with their schoolwork and show teachers and parents where the gaps in their knowledge are. Exam marks and feedback help children set goals and improve, help teachers adjust future lessons and confirm whether learners are meeting grade requirements, much like workplace appraisals later in life.
Studying can be made more fun by building free time and small rewards into study sessions, using educational apps and games, and learning through everyday activities, such as measuring water with cups to explore capacity in Mathematics. Word games, play-based learning and letting children lead the learning also help make studying feel less like a chore.
Parents can develop a good attitude towards learning by being lifelong learners themselves, encouraging questions and linking schoolwork to their child’s interests. Set up a learning space with fixed daily learning times, create a vision board together, let children take turns teaching, treat mistakes as learning opportunities and allow children to learn in their own way.
Parents can manage unrealistic expectations by talking with their child about their dreams, favourite subjects and strengths, and treating expectations as flexible guidelines that evolve as the child grows. Motivate rather than criticise after poor results, explain mistakes calmly instead of reacting in anger, avoid comparisons with siblings and offer support in difficult subjects.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, not a behavioural problem or character flaw, and must be diagnosed by a qualified professional. Parents can help a child with ADHD using the DREAM approach: a balanced Diet, a consistent Routine, regular Exercise, Accepting it is not the child’s fault and Modelling good behaviour, along with short instructions, praise and positive reinforcement.
