27/08/2026
“A parent once asked me, ‘Sir, I don't understand this child. At home, he solves the questions correctly. But when he gets to school, everything changes.’”
That question is more common than many parents realise.
The child may sit beside you at home.
You explain the Mathematics.
They nod.
You give them another example.
They solve it.
You think, “Good. He understands.”
Then the examination comes.
Suddenly, the answers are incomplete.
Simple questions are missed.
The child spends too much time on one question.
They forget steps they seemed to know yesterday.
And when the result comes, everyone is confused.
“Maybe this child is not serious.”
But sometimes, the problem is not that the child doesn't understand.
The child may understand the lesson but still struggle to produce what they know independently and under pressure.
There is a big difference between:
“I understand this when someone guides me.”
and
“I can solve this correctly by myself in an examination.”
That difference matters.
A child can be good at following an explanation but weak at recalling the method alone.
They can understand a topic but lack enough independent practice.
They can know the answer but lose marks because they don't understand how examination questions are presented.
They can even know the work but become anxious when the clock is running.
So, parents, don't only ask:
“Did you understand the homework?”
Sometimes, ask better questions.
1. Let your child practise without your help.
After teaching or explaining a topic, give them similar questions and step away.
Don't immediately rescue them when they struggle.
Let them think.
That struggle is part of learning.
2. Occasionally practise under examination conditions.
Give your child a few questions.
Set a reasonable time.
No phone.
No parent prompting.
No looking at the solution.
Then check not only the score but how they arrived at the answers.
3. Find the pattern behind the mistakes.
Is your child forgetting formulas?
Misreading questions?
Making careless calculations?
Struggling with time?
Depending too much on help?
Panicking when a question looks unfamiliar?
The mistake is information.
Use it to decide what needs to be taught next.
One thing I have learned from teaching Mathematics is this:
A child doesn't become exam-ready simply because they understand a lesson. They become exam-ready when they can recall, apply and communicate that understanding independently.
So when your child's school result doesn't match what you see at home, don't rush to label the child lazy or unserious.
Investigate.
There may be a missing learning skill hiding behind the disappointing score.
And if you are a parent who wants to understand more about how children learn, develop discipline and become confident learners, my book RAISING CHAMPIONS IN A BROKEN WORLD explores the bigger picture of raising children for both academic success and life.
You can get your copy here:
Connect with me via WhatsApp 0806 281 5970
Now let me ask you:
Have you ever noticed a difference between what your child knows at home and what they produce in an examination?
What do you think is causing the gap?
