Psychosocial Factors

For any child to become a confident learner they need to believe they have the capacity to learn. This is developed through positive experiences in learning and with encouraging attitudes of those around the child. Children need a balance between challenge and success to develop the confidence that they have the capacity to learn.

In situations where the child has difficulty with some aspect of their learning the challenge for the family and teacher is to ensure the child experiences success or some achievement.

People with epilepsy, including children, are at higher risk of developing depression and anxiety and this can significantly impact thinking and learning skills, especially attention, concentration and memory.

Click on the video to hear Dr Maria Kangas, Professor, Dept of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University Australia, discuss the impact that self-perception, depression and anxiety can have on learning.

Self-perception, anxiety and depression: impact on learning

Family relationships