Helping a Quiet Child Find Their Voice

Background:

Sam (not his real name) was a student who barely spoke in class. During group work, he would nod or shake his head instead of answering. When asked a question, he would look down or whisper so quietly that even I struggled to hear him. He was clearly a bright child, but his shyness meant he rarely shared his thoughts.

Helping a Perfectionist Embrace Learning Through Mistakes

Background:

Emma (not her real name) was a bright, enthusiastic Year 3 student who loved learning but had one major challenge - she hated making mistakes. If she got a question wrong or if her handwriting wasn’t perfect, she would cross it out repeatedly or refuse to continue. In class, she would watch others work first before writing anything herself, and if she was corrected, she would get frustrated or even tear up.

Case Study: A Little Girl’s Journey to Confidence – From Tears to Triumph

Written By Tanya Joseph

When I first met this little girl, mornings were heart-breaking. Every day, she clung to her mum at the school gate, her tiny hands gripping tightly, tears streaming down her face. It wasn’t just reluctance - she was overwhelmed. Even after she made it into the classroom, she would sit on the carpet, her eyes brimming with tears, struggling to settle. Academically, she was doing just fine, but emotionally, she was fragile. Her self-esteem was low, and she didn’t believe in herself. School felt too big, too loud, too much!

Case Study: How One Boy Found His Love for Writing Through Dinosaurs

Written By Tanya Joseph

At first, writing was this little boy’s biggest struggle - and he made sure everyone knew it. During phonics carpet sessions, he would throw his whiteboard to the floor or pretend his marker was out of ink. Some days, his hand hurt. Other days, a sudden headache or an urgent need to visit the toilet became his way of avoiding writing altogether.

It didn’t take long for me to realise there was something deeper behind these outbursts and excuses…

Case Study: A Little Boy’s Journey to Becoming a Reader: From Frustration to Joy!

When I first met this little boy, reading felt like an uphill battle for him - every attempt left him feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. He struggled with recognising his letter sounds, which are the essential foundation for reading. Every time we sat down with a book, his confidence would waver. It was clear he needed more than just lessons - he needed patience, encouragement, and the right strategies to help him find his way.

We began with regular, focused interventions. Slowly, he started to recognise his initial sounds - an important first step in learning to read. But the journey didn’t stop there...