I HAVE two girls aged seven and 10. Both are studying in a Chinese-medium school. My older girl's grades have dropped below average. How do I get her interested in her studies?

I have tried various ways such as sending her to group tuition as well as getting her private tutors.

I have tried hard to help her but to no avail. Now I have stopped all the extra classes. The only thing she attends is the after-school programme offered by her school.

There were times when she refused to do her homework by herself. She would wait until I come home before starting her homework.

She said she doesn't feel confident about doing her homework. She is afraid of making mistakes and having to redo her homework.

How can I make her understand the importance of homework? I have tried to explain to her but she does not seem to care at all. She seems nonchalant about the whole thing.

– Worried Mother

For many children like your daughter, there may be more to her problem than just the lack of interest in doing homework. You may want to seek professional help to assess your child to see if she has a learning disability.

Go through her homework and find out what exactly your daughter is having problems with. You cannot help her learn when you do not know the difficulties she is facing.

Children have different learning styles. Your daughter may be struggling with the way the school expects her to learn and do her homework. Neither the school nor private tutors are able to meet her needs. It is important that you get to the root cause of your daughter’s reluctance to do homework and her falling grades.

You must find the best way for your child to learn before her confidence is destroyed by the wrong methods of teaching and learning for her.

You can help your child become successful by making sure she has a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She needs play and leisure time. She needs your understanding and support when she makes mistakes.

Your attitude towards her learning can encourage her to accept failures as part of learning and growing. She will work harder knowing that she will succeed one day.