Q: My 6 years old daughter is studying in the 1st standard. She is intelligent and likes going to school. She got weekly worksheets, in which she is doing fine. But the problem is she hardly does anything at school. All her class work (CW) is incomplete. I ask other parents for the CW everyday and make her do it at home. The CW and the studies for her weekly worksheets and dictations is taking its toll on her health; teachers says that she is slow in writing, which does not seem to be a problem at home. I don't want her to start hating studies. Please advise.

A:You are right in understanding that it is important that your daughter does not begin to have a dislike for studies. Most children are ready for regular schoolwork by the age of 6 or 7 years, but not all. It may be harmful to push a child who is not mature enough or psychologically ready to cope with the schoolwork. Talk to the teachers and the school counsellor and explore the option of keeping her in the same class for another year. Also try to identify her weak areas and encourage her on those.