Q: I am a teacher and facing a problem with a student of mine who is in class 5 (11 years old). He is good at learning but is unable to write properly. To some extent I feel the problem is that he lives in a joint family where his other 3 cousins are of the same age and good in studies. I know he is being demoralised at home but how to boost him is a big issue for me. How should I make this boy good in both writing and studies?

A:Some children do have a problem with writing. In some cases it is related to dyslexia (difficulty in reading) and is called dysgraphia (difficulty in writing). There is not much you can do about the home setting and competitive cousins and uncles! You can only reduce the child’s anxiety by assuring him that he is good and by giving him time to write. The confidence you have in him is the best tonic.