What can I do if my child finds normal teaching methods hard to follow? 

Parenting Perspective 

Exploring Interactive and Alternative Methods 

When your child struggles with standard teaching methods, it can be disheartening for both of you, but it is also an opportunity to explore new paths and nurture resilience. Learning is not one-size-fits-all. Be open to reimagining how your child engages with content. If reading textbooks or sitting still for long periods feels frustrating, try using interactive methods such as educational videos, audio learning, apps with gamified quizzes, or story-based teaching that adds narrative and context to the topic.

Building Learning Moments Around Their Cues 

Watch how your child responds. Do they light up during a science experiment, or engage more when they can draw or roleplay? Build learning moments around these cues. You might turn a maths lesson into a cooking session or transform a history topic into a storytelling game. These small shifts do not lower the standard; they simply honour how your child learns best. 

Creating a Safe Space to Say ‘I Do Not Get It’ 

Create a home environment where it is safe to say, ‘I do not get it yet.’ This openness reduces pressure and shame, replacing it with curiosity and patience. Let your child know that needing a different method does not mean they are less capable, it just means their brain works in its own brilliant way. 

Collaborating with Teachers 

Communicate with their teacher to explore adjustments or tools that can support your child more effectively. Perhaps they need more visual explanations, shorter tasks, or more hands-on activities. Teachers are often willing to help, especially when parents approach with collaboration and compassion. 

Celebrating Small Wins and Progress 

Above all, celebrate small wins. Whether it is understanding a tricky concept or completing a task without stress, highlight progress, not perfection. Say things like, ‘You kept trying even when it felt hard, that’s brave and smart.’ This encourages perseverance and rebuilds confidence. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that knowledge is a gift and a journey, not a source of distress.¹ 

Allah Almighty says in the noble Quran at Surah Taaha (20), Verse 2: 

“We have not sent down to you the noble Quran to cause you distress (by the non-conformity of it by the people). “

This powerful verse reminds us that even the most sacred of learning, the noble Quran itself, was never meant to be a source of burden or anxiety. Rather, it was sent to guide, uplift, and ease the hearts of believers. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 4818, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently showed patience and understanding to those who struggled. He adjusted his teaching pace, repeated himself gently, and never made anyone feel ashamed for not grasping something quickly.² His teaching was filled with kindness, knowing that every individual had their own capacity and journey. 

When your child finds typical teaching methods difficult, your response becomes an act of Ibadah. Choosing gentleness over pressure, exploring alternatives, and nurturing their confidence mirrors Prophetic mercy. It teaches your child that seeking knowledge is not a race, but a path walked with humility, patience, and trust in Allah Almighty. 

Guide your child to recite a simple Dua like, ‘O Allah, make this easy for me and bless my effort.’ Then walk beside them, not rushing, not judging, but encouraging with every step. In doing so, you teach them that learning, even with its stumbles, is a sacred, supported endeavour.