As the school year begins, experts emphasise the importance of parental presence and understanding in supporting children’s focus and emotional well-being, moving beyond grades to strengthen family bonds.
The start of term is often framed as a child’s moment, but it is also a test of family habits, tone and patience. In the lead article, psychologist and family psychotherapist Maja Savanović Zorić argues that parents often begin the school year with anxious reminders about grades and effort, even when their intention is to encourage. She warns that children may hear those comments as a judgement of their worth rather than a push to improve.
That idea fits with wider guidance on children’s concentration. According to advice from GetJabba, attention problems can stem from fatigue, distraction, lack of interest or work that feels too large to manage. PBS Parents also notes that concentration improves when children are given realistic tasks, a quiet place to work and short, planned breaks, while BrainLine recommends simple verbal, visual and physical cues to help children stay on task.
The article’s central point is that behaviour often communicates needs that children cannot yet express clearly. Restlessness, delay, repeated requests for help or trouble focusing may not always signal laziness or defiance. Sometimes, experts say, they reflect a need for more closeness, structure or reassurance from a parent who is physically present and emotionally available.
That does not mean lowering expectations. Children still need boundaries, routines and accountability. But the most useful response is often calmer and more curious than critical. Instead of beginning with marks or mistakes, parents can ask how the day went, what felt hard and what support might help next. Healthline’s advice on parenting children with ADHD similarly stresses structure, patience, fewer distractions and manageable steps, while also encouraging parents to stay encouraging and flexible.
The message, then, is less about perfect parenting than about steady presence. A child is more likely to remember whether a parent listened than whether a test score improved overnight. As the article puts it, the school year is not only about lessons and homework; it is also a chance to strengthen the relationship that helps a child face both success and disappointment with less fear. The author’s closing point is simple: children do not need to carry the year alone.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
