Helping my child excel

Dear Maria,

If your child is gifted in certain areas, then he will need guidance and mentoring. Most children need all the help that they can get. They need help with organising themselves at home and at school. He will need a special area in the house to do homework and study and read. He needs to have all the books and associated instruments. In this climate of competition for scarce resources, it is best to send him for extra lessons. He needs to concentrate, focus and pay attention in class and when he is doing homework. Reduce talking in class and hand in all assignments. General knowledge and specialised subjects should be read. Information is not wasted so general reading should be encouraged. Therefore, encourage him to read inspirational books, including the Bible. Let him practise writing essays or doing multiple-choice questions. Quiz him quite often on his schoolwork.

Let him study every day so that when examination comes around he will be ready. Lots of encouragement and lots of praises. Reward sweetens labour.

Depressing start to college

Dear Counsellor,

I am now at college and feeling mildly depressed. I miss my family and I am slowly getting used to these new people. Classes are hectic and I have to get used to the cooking and washing.