Boosting Your Child’s Self-Esteem in English & Maths
The summer holidays are a wonderful time for families to rest, recharge and enjoy a slower pace of life. But while routines relax and schoolbags are tucked away, the long break can also be a valuable opportunity to gently boost your child’s confidence in learning, especially in subjects like English and maths, which many children can feel unsure about.
As a qualified teacher and tutor, I’ve worked with children from Primary 3 right through to Year 10. Time and again, I’ve seen how confidence is the key to progress. It’s not always about how much a child knows—it’s about how they feel about learning. Children who believe they can succeed are far more likely to persevere, ask questions, and recover from mistakes.
So, how can parents utilise the summer months to help build their child’s sense of confidence? It’s easier than you might think.
Focused Praise
Let’s start with something simple: praising effort over outcome. Children thrive on positive feedback, but it’s the type of praise that matters most. Instead of just saying, “Well done,” try to comment on what they did that was effective. You might say, “I noticed how you stuck with that difficult sum,” or “You explained that so clearly—I can tell you understand it.” When children feel their effort is being recognised, they start to value the process of learning, not just the result.
Real Life Maths
Summer is also the perfect time to show children that maths isn’t something that only exists in the classroom. It’s all around us. Whether you’re measuring flour to bake buns, working out how long it is until your day trip, or checking if you have enough change for an ice cream, these everyday moments help children see that maths is useful and relevant. That sense of purpose can make a big difference to how they approach it.
Read for Pleasure
Similarly, reading doesn’t have to mean sitting down with a novel. Many children, especially reluctant readers, benefit from reading that feels more natural and connected to their interests. This might be a comic book, the instructions for a game, a recipe, or even signs and leaflets when you’re out and about. The more comfortable they feel with reading, the more confident they’ll become.
The summer break is also an opportunity to keep learning in short, sweet bursts. There’s no need for long sessions or stacks of worksheets. Instead, focus on small wins. Spending ten minutes a day on a quick spelling activity, number game, or short writing task can help maintain learning and build confidence. It also allows children to finish with a sense of success, which motivates them to try again next time.
Confidence Journal
One lovely way to keep track of progress over the holidays is by starting a confidence journal. This can be a notebook where your child writes (or draws) something they’re proud of each day or each week. It might be, “I read two chapters of my book,” or “I helped work out how much change we needed.” These small reflections add up and give children a powerful reminder that they are learning and growing, even outside the classroom.
SEAG Transfer Test Help
For children who are particularly anxious about school or those preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test, working with a tutor over the summer can provide an additional layer of support. Tutoring doesn’t have to be intense or overwhelming—when it’s delivered in a calm, personalised way, it can make a massive difference to a child’s confidence. They begin to feel more in control of their learning, which in turn helps them approach school in September with a more positive mindset.
Undercover Learning
The summer holidays don’t need to be filled with structured lessons or test papers. Some of the best learning happens when children don’t even realise they’re doing it—when they’re reading a menu, working out the cost of an outing, or writing a postcard to a friend. With a bit of encouragement and the right approach, you can help your child finish the holidays feeling more confident and ready to take on the next school year.
Make Learning Fun
Incorporating fun and creativity into learning is a great way to keep children engaged and motivated. Activities such as crafting, building, or cooking provide wonderful opportunities to develop practical skills while also boosting academic confidence. For example, you might bake a cake together and discuss fractions while measuring ingredients, or engage in a DIY project that involves counting and measuring. These hands-on experiences make learning enjoyable and practical.
Set Achievable Goals
Setting small, achievable goals is a fantastic way to ensure your child feels successful and motivated. Instead of focusing on large, overwhelming targets, break tasks into bite-sized chunks. For example, setting a goal to master a specific spelling list or practice times tables for a short period each day can create a sense of accomplishment. Celebrate those small victories, and your child will start to see that they are making steady progress.
Encourage Questions
A key aspect of building confidence in learning is helping your child feel comfortable asking questions. The more open and curious they are, the more they will learn. Encourage your child to ask questions, not just about their schoolwork, but also about the world around them. A child who feels they can inquire freely will develop a deeper understanding and a stronger sense of self-assurance.