It can feel worrying when your child seems to be having a hard time in school. Some children may struggle with reading, writing, spelling, numbers, attention, memory, organisation, friendships, confidence, or behaviour in class. Others may seem to understand lessons at home but find it difficult to keep up during school activities. When a parent notices a child struggling in school, it can raise many questions. Is it related to learning, attention, confidence, language, emoti

It can feel concerning when your child struggles to put thoughts onto paper, especially when they can explain ideas clearly when speaking. Some children may write very slowly, avoid writing tasks, press too hard on the pencil, form letters unevenly, or become upset when asked to complete written work. Writing difficulties in children can happen for many reasons. They may be linked to fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination, attention, language development, spelling, re

It can feel concerning when your child finds spelling difficult, especially when they seem to understand ideas clearly but struggle to write words accurately. Some children may spell the same word differently across a page, leave out letters, mix up sounds, or avoid writing because they are unsure how to spell. Spelling difficulties in children can happen for many reasons. They may be linked to phonics, speech sound awareness, memory, attention, language development, handwrit

It can feel concerning when your child seems to struggle with reading, especially when other children appear to be progressing more easily. Some children may avoid books, guess words, read slowly, lose their place on the page, or become upset when asked to read aloud. Reading difficulties in children can happen for many reasons. They may be linked to language development, sound awareness, attention, memory, vision concerns, hearing concerns, learning differences, anxiety, lim

It can feel worrying when your child is unwell and drinking much less than usual. Some children may refuse fluids, vomit after drinking, pass urine less often, or seem more tired than they normally do. Dehydration in children can happen when the body does not have enough fluid for normal daily function. This may occur during illnesses with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, poor appetite, mouth pain, sore throat, or reduced fluid intake. Hot weather, active play, and sweating may al

It can feel worrying when you notice a lump on your child’s neck, under the jaw, behind the ear, in the armpit, or near the groin. Some children may say the area feels sore, while others may not seem bothered at all. Swollen lymph nodes in children can happen when the body is responding to infection or inflammation. Lymph nodes are small glands that form part of the immune system. They may become more noticeable during or after common childhood illnesses such as colds, sore t

It can be upsetting to see your child struggle with mouth pain, especially when eating, drinking, brushing teeth, or speaking becomes uncomfortable. Some children may point to a sore spot inside the cheek, on the tongue, or along the gums. Younger children may not be able to explain the pain clearly and may instead refuse food, cry during meals, drool more than usual, or become more irritable. Mouth ulcers in children can happen for many reasons. They may be linked to minor i

Seeing blood from your child’s nose can feel alarming, even when the bleeding stops quickly. Some children may have nosebleeds only once in a while, while others may seem to get them more often, especially during dry weather, after rubbing their nose, or when they have a cold or blocked nose. Nosebleeds in children can happen for many reasons. They may be linked to nose picking, frequent rubbing, dry air, allergies, colds, minor irritation inside the nose, or small injuries d

It can be unsettling when your child wakes at night saying their legs hurt. Some children may point to their calves, thighs, knees, or shins. Others may simply cry, ask to be carried, or find it hard to explain where the discomfort is coming from. Leg pain in children can happen for many reasons. It may be linked to active play, muscle tiredness, minor bumps, changes in physical activity, footwear, posture, or temporary discomfort after a busy day. Some children may also desc

When your child says their head hurts, it can be difficult not to worry. Some children may describe a dull ache, while others may say their head feels tight, heavy, or painful in one area. Younger children may not have the words to explain the pain clearly. Instead, they may become quieter, more irritable, less playful, or want to rest. Headaches in children can happen for many reasons. They may be linked to fever, viral infections, tiredness, dehydration, missed meals, block