In a new book, 'Your Child Learns Differently, Now What? The Truth for Parents,' authors Roger Stark and Betsy Hill challenge the common advice given to struggling students: try harder. The book, published by Seabiscuit Press, argues that effort alone is insufficient when a child lacks the underlying cognitive skills needed for effective learning. Instead, the authors urge parents to ask a more fundamental question: does the child have the learning foundation required to succeed?
The book, written for parents of struggling learners, students with uneven academic performance, and children experiencing frustration, anxiety, or declining confidence, explains that learning depends on cognitive skills such as attention, memory, processing speed, executive functions, and auditory and visual processing. These skills enable us to understand, remember, and apply information. When these skills are weak or uneven, a student may put in effort and still fall short. In such cases, telling a child to try harder can increase frustration without addressing the real barrier.
The authors point to a common scenario: a child works hard, spends extra time, receives help, and still struggles to keep up. Another child may understand concepts in conversation but freeze when asked to read, write, or organize tasks on paper. In both cases, the issue may not be willingness but rather that the child is being asked to perform academic tasks without the cognitive foundation those tasks require.
'Your Child Learns Differently, Now What?' offers a five-step framework to help parents move from pressure and frustration toward understanding, skill-building, and guided support. The book does not reject effort but argues that effort must be supported by the right learning tools, guidance, and understanding. A key message is that confidence is closely tied to learning. When children are repeatedly told to work harder but see no results, they may begin to believe they are not smart or capable. Stark and Hill encourage parents to view confidence as part of the learning process, noting that children are more likely to persist when they experience progress and understand that their struggles have an explanation.
The book also raises questions about temporary workarounds. While accommodations and support are important, the authors argue that parents should ask whether these supports are helping a child build stronger learning capacity over time. This distinction matters for families who want more than short-term relief—they want their child to become a more confident, independent learner.
Roger Stark, CEO of BrainWare Learning Company, and Betsy Hill, its President and COO, bring their expertise in cognitive training and neuroscience-informed learning to this guide. Their work focuses on helping parents and educators understand the role of cognitive skills in school performance and long-term outcomes. The book, available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, is positioned as a practical and direct guide for families ready to move beyond the simple instruction to 'try harder.' Its message is clear: struggling students often need more than pressure; they need parents and educators to understand how they learn, where the barriers are, and what kind of support can help them build the skills to succeed.
