From The Classroom

POV: My kid is falling behind and I don’t know what to do

Does this feel familiar?

I see it all the time in my classroom: kids struggling with reading, writing, and math. Parents notice, but often feel powerless because time and resources are limited.

Here’s one thing that really helps: ask the teacher to send incomplete work home, or your child can even ask for extra homework.

Many students actually prefer doing it at home, where they can focus, make mistakes safely, and work without feeling judged.
It helps them catch up and makes class less stressful.

Want a simple email template to request this from your child’s teacher? Comment “YES” below.

POV: my child throws tantrums and I want them to stop

Does your child sometimes (or all the time) scream, yell, or throw a fit when things don’t go their way? Do you try to avoid them making a scene in public by accepting their requests just to keep the peace?

It is almost like our child is subconsciously teaching us positive reinforcement by showing us that they will be good and quiet as long as we give them what they want, when they need it.

Unfortunately, as the adults, we need to be the one in charge. We are the ones who know what our child needs, and not the other way around. Therefore, we should be the ones utilizing positive reinforcement. It’ll take a few weeks, or even a few months, of practising this before we see a noticeable change.

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Here’s how to start:

1. Find something they like to do or eat, something they don’t get on a regular basis (ice cream, park, play date, Lego time, screen time, etc.)

2. Incorporate a “points” system: they get this reward every 5 points. Let them know they earn a point each time they follow your lead.

3. Next time they throw a tantrum, say: “You are so close to getting a point. All you need to do is take a few deep breaths and follow my lead.”

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It may take a few tries, but what matters is that they TRY. As long as they try, there will be progress.

Encouragement and patience from parents during this time is ESSENTIAL.

Try it at home today.
Comment “more info” for a detailed guide on each step.

“They're so smart, but they just won’t sit still or listen no matter how many times I tell them.”

Does this remind you of someone?

I work with these kids every year.
They’re the ones getting reminders, moved seats, and quiet sighs from adults.

If we want them to stay quiet or sit still, consequences rarely help.

What does help is giving them something that truly grasps their attention (and let’s try to avoid screens).

Hands-on puzzles like Rubik’s cubes, tangrams, brain teasers, Lego builds, or simple fidget tools give their minds somewhere to go. Don't fight it, what kids need is our support to cope with the struggle.

Remember, when children are engaged, their bodies often settle naturally.

Share this with someone who needs to hear this.

Should you apologize to your child?
From a teacher’s perspective: yes. Always.

Children learn far more from what we do than what we say.

When you apologize to your child, you’re teaching them something powerful:
That everyone makes mistakes.
That mistakes don’t define who we are.
And that taking responsibility is a strength—not a weakness.

Kids need to see adults own their actions. When they do, it shows them that it’s okay to be human. It builds honesty, transparency, and trust in your relationship. They learn that admitting a mistake doesn’t mean the end of the world—and that it can actually lead to better outcomes.

As a teacher, I’ve said things I later regretted. When that happens, I always make time to reconnect with the child, apologize sincerely, and give them space to share how they felt.

It can be as simple as:
“Hey, can I check in with you about yesterday?”
“How did it feel when I said that?”
“I’m really sorry I made you feel that way.”
“That wasn’t my best moment, and you didn’t deserve that.”
Sometimes, that’s all a child needs.

Every single time, something meaningful happens:
Respect grows.
Trust deepens.
The relationship becomes stronger.

The child learns that I’m fair. That I’m honest. That I’m willing to take responsibility for my actions.

We’re all human. We all mess up.

And often, the hardest part isn’t the mistake—it’s knowing what to do next. Many adults choose to ignore it. We hope time will smooth it over. We’re extra kind for a few days and quietly move on.

But children don’t forget how you made them feel.

They may not remember the exact words you used, but they will remember whether they felt dismissed, unheard, or valued.

Repair matters.

Acknowledging your mistake and apologizing shows your child that their feelings matter—and that relationships can be repaired.

When we apologize, we don’t lose authority.
We gain connection.

And connection is what helps children grow into accountable, compassionate humans.

If this resonated, share it with a parent who might need to hear it 🤍

If you have a strong connection with your child, discipline becomes easier—and listening happens naturally.

As a teacher, I only have a few hours a day to build relationships with 20+ children. Over the years, I’ve learned something that matters more than any strategy or consequence:

Kids listen to the people who make them feel heard.

The fastest way I build trust with my students is by truly listening.

And if you listen closely enough, children will tell you exactly what they need.

So how does this look at home?
It starts much smaller than we think.
“I can’t get on the swing.”
“Can you help me zip my jacket?”
“Watch this!”

These moments feel tiny to us—but to a child, they matter. When you show up for these small requests, you’re sending a powerful message:

I’m on your side. You matter. You can count on me.
That’s how trust is built.

And once children trust you, they want to listen to you. They want to make you happy.

Sometimes being there doesn’t mean fixing anything at all. There will be moments you can’t control—when your child is hurt, disappointed, or overwhelmed.

In those moments, your job is simple:
Listen.
Sit beside them.
Offer a hug.
Reassure them they’ll be okay.
Helping a child feel safe during hard moments is what strengthens your bond the most.

Connection takes time. It takes patience. But it’s the foundation for everything else—cooperation, respect, and trust.

From a teacher who sees this every day:
Connection always comes first.

If this resonated, share it with another parent who might need the reminder 💛

I’m a teacher. Here’s the reality.

We do teach reading. We notice when a child can’t read. We intervene.

What we don’t control is the level of support available or the amount of intervention a child receives. We also cannot force kids to read when they have no desire to learn.

I teach in a Canadian public elementary school, where teachers are not allowed to hold students back, even when they are years behind in reading and writing. Students move on without the essential skills they need. That is a system decision, not a teacher one.

We also cannot provide daily, intensive intervention to multiple struggling readers in a class of 25–30 students while simultaneously teaching grade-level curriculum. Schools that succeed in literacy have additional staff and support. Many schools do not.

I currently have Grade 4 students reading at a kindergarten level. I work with them as much as I can, but there are limits when I am responsible for twenty other students and obligated to teach and report on grade-level content.

When teachers say students “can’t read,” we mean far below grade level, not ignored or untaught.

This isn’t teachers failing kids. It’s a system that rewards students without requiring them to do the work, then blames the classroom.

Children don’t need perfect parents.

They need mentors who guide, model, and nurture them— just like caring for a plant 🌱

When you give kids the right tools and direction, they don’t just grow.

They flourish.

If you want to raise confident, capable, and resilient kids, you’re in the right place.

As a certified teacher with over a decade of experience working with children, I’m here to help you make sense of your child’s growth—academically, emotionally, and socially.

Follow along, and I’ll show you how to support your child’s development, one intentional step at a time.

How old is your child? Drop their age below 👇

Ever notice how your child can spend 40 minutes building Lego… but melts down over 5 minutes of a “boring” task?

The #1 motivator to learning is the feeling of enjoyment. As long as children see a purpose in what they’re doing, they will be intrinsically motivated to indulge in the process. The magic is YOU have the ability to turn any task into an exciting challenge.

In my classroom, I see this every day—children will happily work on tasks when it feels like a game and when they understand why it matters.

A Teacher Trick for “Boring” Errands:

Do you ever need to run an errand and hate that you’ll have to rush because your kid will be rushing you? Next time you take them to the grocery store, challenge them to one of these questions (and no, please avoid giving them your iPads or your phones) and have them go on a hunt.

“How many red boxes do you think we will see?”
“How many times can we find the word ‘and’?”
“How much do you think everything will cost?”
“How many people do you think we will pass by?”

The both of you will make a guess, and whoever gets a number closer to the answer will be the winner. Prize? Bragging rights!

Try it out and let me know how it goes. I’ve used this many times with boring tasks that I’d have to assign my students. Children nowadays have low attention spans, but this strategy will keep them engaged.

What’s one “boring” daily task your child struggles with?