The blank page can be a pretty scary place. Staring at a blank page with the pressure to write something can make even the best writers’ minds go as blank as the page too. If a child doesn’t want to write, it is important to find that one defining reason why.


I once had a student who sat staring at the prompt refusing to budge no matter how positive, approachable or scaffolded the task was. After kneeling down next to him and asking him, "how can I help you?", he whispered, "I can’t write here." Turns out the setting was unnerving him. His first composition was done lying on his tummy on the floor, away from the other students.

Here are some general hypothetical problems put together from my experience:

The reluctant writer who lacks confidence: These kids already THINK THEY SUCK no matter how hard they try. Don’t correct their language. Pick out all the great things about their writing. Their ideas, style, even their handwriting. Praise them on how their writing reveals their character and how it’s been a privilege getting a glimpse into their heads.

The perfectionist writer who cannot get started: These kids agonise over their introductions and have problems writing with a time limit. They often flunk school compositions in exams because they cannot put the pedal to the metal under pressure. Instead of writing whole stories, get them to write about short prompts. One paragraph will do. Tell them the first draft should’t be perfect and it’s okay to just flow through their ideas. They can edit and re-word things in their second draft.

The tongue-tied writer who cannot find the words to express ideas: These kids are brimming with ideas but struggle with vocabulary, spelling and syntax. They are the ones constantly asking for ‘which word’ or ‘what’s the spelling of’ or ‘how to say what-not’. As such, 2 paragraphs in and they’re exhausted. You’re exhausted. Start by having them show you a plan of what they want to write. Put together helping words and phrases they can use in draft 1. After they’re done, pick out 2 key language areas they should work on, underlining specific mistakes. Get the child to draft 2 to try to correct these mistakes independently, then come to you for help if they cannot figure it out.

The artist / chatter-box / musician / scientist / athlete / dancer whose passions don’t extend to writing: Ask the artist to add captions to their drawings, the chatter-box to record their story then transcribe the recording, the musician, scientist, athlete and dancer to tap into their passion and communicate it.

Writing is communication. It is connection. If children cannot see that they are making a connection with their reader, and their most important reader is you, no amount of drills or bribes or punishments will help.

An extraordinary teacher understands that “Children are not vessels to be filled, but lamps to be lit” (Hebrew Proverb) – An extraordinary teacher realises that children bring so much to the table and will constantly be trying to engage with that flame, pushing the children outside their comfort zones, not too far as to demoralise them, but far enough as to nurture them.


I am a teacher, and the hardest part of the job is that my kids are always in my mental background. My own kid, the kids I teach, the kids who are thriving, the kids who are struggling, the kids’ parents… Teaching is a humanising and humbling job. And often, the best teachers are simply the ones who are open to being taught by their students in turn.

sergeykang\" post_id=\"1966125\" time=\"1583642155\" user_id=\"184588:

Had similar experiences too. My son who is currently in Sec 3 this year likes learning new things in general, but hates studying (the notion and rigour of it). While studying for his PSLE, I tried a variety of teaching methods to stimulate interest in him, for example using his favourite cartoons or anime to teach science concepts.

Back in pri sch, he failed exam after exam and I got so worried. But after I changed my teaching style, there was a lot of improvement and he eventually managed to score 201 for PSLE.

I think the ways/methods parents or schools use to teach children has really big impacts on overall learning and interest. It's difficult sometimes but you just need to find that one method that makes a difference to your child. As well as constantly believing in him/her.

That's a wonderful anecdote with a great example of teaching your child and not teaching a child. Multimedia literacy is also very important today and many children are naturally drawn towards screens and technology anyway so you were right on the money to use this interest as a catalyst for learning. After all, the current teaching style does not match your son's learning style so why not change it up?

I also love how you are always in his corner and celebrating his personal bests.

Sometimes it could be that the child has some learning gaps that hinder their understanding of new material. More and more new material overwhelms the child and they get labelled as slow or weak. This generalisation is demoralising and detrimental.


Let’s take kindergarten level Math as an example. A child who has no number sense i.e. understanding that numerals refer to a quantity will end up memorising number sequence blindly. After that when the teacher moves on to addition, the child ends up memorising the numerals and ‘+’ / ‘=’ symbols. This might work for awhile until the teacher does bigger and bigger numbers.

Another situation is finger counting. Children who depend on finger counting lack speed and accuracy. When they fall behind their peers, younger children give up.

Ultimately as a parent you have to decide if it is necessary to keep doing exactly what the school is doing. It might be that you need to rewind a bit. Go back to earlier material to determine the source of the weakness. Find a teacher who can help you troubleshoot. It is likely that your child isn’t the school teacher’s weakest student so they might not stand out to the school teacher as needing extra help, especially if they aren’t the trouble makers.

Your instinct as a parent is always the right one. So if you feel that teachers or the school isn’t helping you will have to advocate for your child before academic weakness turns into an abhorrence for learning.

It’s hard to fully understand every parent’s motivations, except that they are doing their best to do what’s right for their child. Some parents who are cash rich but time poor choose to use money to help their child catch up or get ahead. Sometimes it’s very situational. I’ve taught many children of fellow teachers too because teachers often have a hard time coaching their own kids because we tend to be time poor and easily triggered by our own children.


As a parent, I think that if my dd can only learn from me and my teaching style that is a roadblock for her. Young children can benefit from associating with and learning from other adults who aren’t family.

As a teacher, children who enter P1 with classroom readiness are those with experience in structured kindergartens or learning/enrichment centres. Young children especially pick up a lot from firsthand experience so how can children be expected to know how to learn in the classroom unless they have had prior experience in a similar situation?

Hence, knowing the content/language/subject is one thing, but I think what’s more important for P1 preparation is classroom readiness. If your child can learn Math or a language while picking up this vital skill, that’s a bonus

I think P1 tuition is necessary if your child is behind, especially in Math. Math is very cumulative. For example, if your child cannot add 1 digit numbers with speed and accuracy and without finger counting, there is going to be trouble adding double digit numbers then subtraction. Multiplication’s foundation is also addition.


As a teacher mummy, I struggle teaching my own daughter as her view of me as her mama muddies the effectiveness of what I’m trying to teach her. And I choose our mother-daughter relationship above all else. So even if parents can coach their own children because P1 material isn’t too difficult, it can be a minefield of tears and hair-pulling because you’re first and foremost your children’s beloved mum/dad.

I’m a teacher mummy running an Eye Level Centre in Sembawang. I agree that home tuition can be convenient but might not be effective. Children realise they have home turf advantage and will not hesitate to leverage on this. So having a less familiar environment can affect their attitude. Boys especially excel with competition.


I think small group enables your child to harness the power of the group i.e. sometimes they may be reluctant to ask what they think is a silly question, but when another child asks they learn together, without the teacher being overwhelmed by the pressing needs of a full class.

Hi everyone!


Anyone living in the Canberra BTOs here? Will we have a school in our neighbourhood? What are your plans for your child’s Primary school enrollment or which schools are you currently sending your children to?