Page 20 - IFV Issue 8 August 2026

Today’s Child

tired and frightened brain does not and entry requirements are very real. whether every conversation became an
learn better simply because it has been The healthier message is that their interrogation, whether they felt trusted
denied a break. results have consequences, but those and whether they believed the adults
Sleep, food, movement, laughter consequences are not the same as a final around them would still see the same
and conversations unrelated to school judgement on their ability or future. person when the results arrived.
are part of the conditions that make A disappointing result may change Our responsibility is to help young
sustained learning possible. They the next step. It may require a new people prepare properly without
also remind a teenager that they still application, another route into study, making them carry our fear of the
belong to a family and a life beyond the a different qualification or more time future. They need to know that effort
examination timetable. to work out what comes next. Those is expected that their wellbeing will be
Parents often ask what else they should changes can be difficult and deeply taken as seriously as their marks and
be doing during the final stretch, but in disappointing, but they are still changes that support will remain available when
many homes the most useful change is of route rather than proof that a life has the year does not go according to plan.
to reduce the constant monitoring. A failed.
teenager should not have to provide a Most adults cannot remember the Matric can influence
progress report every time they enter exact marks they received for every what happens next, but
the kitchen, and encouragement does Matric subject, but many can remember
not always need to sound like another exactly how the year felt. They it cannot measure the
reminder to study. Silence should not remember whether home was tense, whole person taking it.
automatically be treated as evidence
that everything is under control, either.
Ask how they are coping and give
them enough time to answer properly.
Notice changes in sleep, appetite, mood
or behaviour, listen before trying to solve
the problem and keep some ordinary
family routines intact. They should be
able to take a break without having to
defend it. When worry, panic, withdrawal
or low mood persists, early support from
a teacher, school counsellor or mental-
health professional is far more useful
than waiting for the pressure to become
unmanageable.
Young people also need honesty.
Telling them that marks do not matter at
all will not feel credible when applications

18 • August 2026 • The Villager