A learner can be highly capable in one area and still find another area genuinely difficult.
A pupil may have excellent memory but struggle to organise their work. Another may contribute brilliantly in discussion but find writing difficult. Strength in one area does not cancel out a need in another. We should be careful not to think, “They can do this, so they should be able to do everything else too.”
In the Classroom
• Notice both strengths and areas of difficulty.
• Use a learner’s strengths to help them access areas they find harder.
• Avoid assuming that ability in one area means support is unnecessary elsewhere.
• Give pupils different opportunities to show what they know.
• Celebrate progress without ignoring genuine difficulties.
The Prophet ﷺ recognised different strengths among the Companions. He described Abu Bakr (RA) for his mercy, Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (RA) for Qur’an recitation, Zayd ibn Thaabit (RA) for inheritance and Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (RA) for knowledge of halal and haram. (Tirmidhi)
They were not all praised for the same thing. As educators, this reminds us that learners may shine in very different areas. A child’s difficulty in one area should not prevent us from recognising the strengths and potential they possess in another.
An Nasihah Publications