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A difficult assignment, disappointing result or missed deadline can leave a student questioning their abilities. These everyday experiences also offer opportunities to help children understand their emotions, seek support and build confidence.

This Mental Health Month, Evolve Online School is encouraging families to consider how education can support both academic achievement and the skills students need to navigate life.

“Academic progress matters, but so does how a child feels about themselves when learning becomes challenging,” says Liezel Blom, Head of Learning Coaches at Evolve Online School. “Students need to know that difficulties can be worked through and that support is available.”

Building confidence through everyday challenges

A student struggling with Mathematics may need more than an explanation of a calculation. They may also need help recognising frustration, identifying what they do not understand and finding the confidence to ask questions.

“Instead of immediately stepping in with an answer, we can help students identify the difficulty and explore a manageable next step,” says Blom. “These conversations create opportunities to practise problem solving, emotional awareness and perseverance.”

Evolve’s approach incorporates six broader skill areas and 18 transferable skills, including communication, emotional literacy, resilience, personal health and ethical thinking. Students develop these capabilities through learning activities, reflection and interaction.

Human connection behind the screen

Online learning requires students to organise their time, navigate digital spaces and communicate through virtual platforms. Supportive relationships help them develop these abilities.

Evolve’s Learning Coach Programme complements academic teaching through group sessions, smaller discussions, individual conversations and transferable skills lessons.

“A missed deadline might signal a planning difficulty, uncertainty about the task or something the student has not yet expressed,” explains Blom. “Understanding the experience helps us offer relevant guidance and develop the skills needed to move forward.”

Learning Coaches also help students reflect on assessment results and consider constructive next steps.

“One result should never define a student’s sense of worth,” says Blom. “We encourage students to ask what they have learnt, where they need support and what they could approach differently.”

Continuing the conversation at home

Parents can reinforce these skills through simple conversations and age-appropriate responsibilities. Questions such as “What challenged you today?” and “What would help you tomorrow?” invite children to share more than their academic success.

Planning a study routine, resolving a disagreement or trying again after an unsuccessful attempt can become valuable opportunities for growth.

“Independence develops when children have opportunities to make decisions alongside dependable support,” says Blom. “Asking for help is part of that process.”

Mental Health Month offers families and schools an opportunity to recognise progress beyond academic results: a student speaking up, requesting assistance or responding thoughtfully to feedback.

These moments deserve recognition because they reveal how students are learning to approach challenges, express their needs and participate more confidently in their education.

“We cannot predict every challenge our children will face,” Blom concludes. “We can help them develop the relationships, confidence and skills to take the next step, knowing they do not have to do it alone.”