My 12-year-old son is unable to complete his notes in school. He is a slow writer and his handwriting is also illegible. How can I improve his handwriting?
— Revathi Krishna, Chennai
There could be several reasons for your son’s illegible handwriting and slow writing speed. They include:
 Some children experience delay in fine motor skills development, making it difficult for them to write quickly and legibly.
 Incorrect body posture and hand grip also affect writing speed and quality.
 Writing is a skill that requires practice. Encourage him to practice; it will improve his handwriting and speed.
 Learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dysgraphia.
To improve his handwriting, encourage him to sit upright and hold the pencil correctly. You could also provide him writing exercises that focus on letter formation, spacing and consistency.
If his difficulties persist, consult a special educator who can provide additional support and remedial strategies.

My five-year-old son was a premature baby and has a speech delay. I am worried he could develop a learning disability. Please advise.
— Shriram Hegde, Bangalore
It’s a myth that a premature infant with speech delay will automatically develop learning problems. However it’s important to monitor your son’s development milestones and identify any potential learning difficulty early on. My suggestions:
 Consult a pediatrician or clinical psychologist who will assess your child’s development milestones and recommend interventions, if necessary.
 Early remedial intervention is critical. Keep track of his development milestones. These include his ability to follow instructions, recognise alphabets and numbers and interact with peers.
 Observe your child’s behaviour and learning style. Some children may struggle with certain subjects but excel in others. Understanding your child’s strengths and weaknesses will help you identify any potential learning difficulty.
 Communicate regularly with his speech language pathologist, as well as school teacher and counsellor. They can provide valuable insights into his progress.
Every child develops at her own pace. By being proactive and fully involved in your child’s education, you can help him realise his full potential.

My ten-year-old daughter is scoring poorly in school exams. I have observed that she has difficulty reading and especially learning spellings. Does she need special education?
— Minu Tagore, Kolkata
It is understandable that you are concerned about your daughter’s poor academic performance. Difficulty with reading and spelling could be indicative a learning disability such as dyslexia. I recommend you speak to your daughter’s school counselor and request an evaluation to determine if she needs special support.
There are also several steps you can take to support your daughter’s learning at home. Some suggestions:
 Read with your daughter every day and ask her questions about the story to develop her comprehension skills.
 Help her practice spellings and phonetical sounds of letters.
 Use games and activities such as word puzzles to make learning joyful.
 Celebrate your daughter’s progress and achievements to build her confidence and motivation.

(Shubhada Shekar is a counselor and special educator, Christ Nagar Public School, Trivandrum)