Why Children Need Encouragement
Learning can be difficult sometimes.
Children may be learning a new letter, practising handwriting, trying to spell a word or working out a maths problem.
When something feels difficult, children may become unsure of themselves or decide that they cannot do it.
Encouragement can help children feel supported while they work through something they are still learning.
Learning Takes Time
Children do not learn every new skill straight away.
Some things may be easy to remember, while other skills need more practice and repetition.
A child may understand something one day and then need help with it again later.
This is a normal part of learning.
Encouragement Can Help Children Keep Trying
When a child finds something difficult, they may want to give up.
A few encouraging words can help them feel that they do not have to get everything right immediately.
You might say:
- “Have another try.”
- “You can take your time.”
- “Let's work it out together.”
- “You are still learning this.”
- “It's okay if it feels tricky.”
Simple encouragement can give children the confidence to make another attempt.
Encouragement Is Not About Getting Everything Right
Children will make mistakes while they learn.
They may form a letter incorrectly, forget a sound, spell a word incorrectly or make a mistake in a maths problem.
Encouragement does not mean telling children that every answer is correct.
It means helping them feel comfortable enough to keep learning when something is difficult.
Notice the Effort
Sometimes children need adults to notice the effort they are making, not just the final answer.
You could say:
- “You kept trying.”
- “You really thought about that.”
- “You went back and checked your work.”
- “You remembered more this time.”
- “You worked that out yourself.”
This helps children notice that learning involves thinking, practising and trying again.
Give Children Time to Think
Children sometimes need a little extra time before they can answer a question or complete a task.
It can be tempting to give them the answer straight away.
Instead, try giving them a moment to think.
You might ask:
- “What do you remember?”
- “What could you try?”
- “What sound can you hear?”
- “What comes next?”
A small prompt can help children continue thinking without taking over the task for them.
Small Steps Can Make Learning Feel Easier
A large task can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Breaking learning into smaller steps can make it easier for children to know what to do next.
Instead of asking a child to complete a whole page, you might begin with a few questions, letters, words or sums.
Small steps can give children opportunities to experience progress as they learn.
Encouragement Can Help After a Mistake
Mistakes are part of learning.
When a child makes a mistake, try to avoid making the mistake feel bigger than it needs to be.
You can calmly point out what needs another try and encourage your child to have another go.
For example:
- “Let's look at that one again.”
- “Can you see anything you would change?”
- “Have another think.”
- “Let's try it together.”
This keeps the focus on learning rather than on failure.
Children Need Different Kinds of Support
Not every child needs the same kind of encouragement.
One child may like to hear positive words, while another may prefer a quiet reminder or a little help getting started.
Some children may need a break before trying again.
Pay attention to how your child responds and offer the kind of support that helps them continue.
Encouragement Can Build Independence
Encouragement does not mean doing the work for your child.
Giving children support while allowing them to do some of the thinking themselves can help them become more independent learners.
Over time, children can begin to use some of the same encouraging thoughts themselves.
They may learn to think:
- “I can have another try.”
- “I can take my time.”
- “I can work this out.”
- “I do not know it yet.”
Keep Practice Positive
Practice does not need to be long to be useful.
Short, manageable activities can give children opportunities to practise a skill without making learning feel overwhelming.
Give your child time to work, encourage them when something is difficult and allow breaks when they need one.
Regular positive experiences can help children feel more comfortable with learning.
Notice Progress
Learning progress is not always obvious.
A child may remember one more letter, write a word more accurately, hear a sound more clearly or complete something independently for the first time.
These small improvements are worth noticing.
When children see that their effort can lead to progress, they may become more willing to keep trying.
Australian Educational Resources for Children
Children benefit from opportunities to practise important skills in a calm and supportive way.
Our Australian educational resources give families practical ways to support learning at home, including handwriting, phonics, spelling, maths and other early learning skills.
Resources are available across Australian state and territory handwriting styles, helping families choose educational resources that match the handwriting style used at school.
Help Your Child Keep Trying
Children do not need to get everything right straight away.
They need opportunities to practise, make mistakes, think, try again and experience progress.
Simple encouragement can help children feel supported while they are learning something new.
Sometimes a few calm, encouraging words are all a child needs to feel ready to have another go.
