The Youngest Child, with the Quietest Voice
My youngest child, D, has always been the most reserved of the three. Growing up, he struggled with social anxiety and often avoided speaking up, even when he had the answers. While his siblings were bold in their own ways, D preferred to stay in the background.
As a mother, I sometimes worried: Would he be overlooked? Would opportunities slip away simply because he couldn’t express himself the way others did?
Early Struggles: Social Anxiety, Missed DSA/IB Chances
When it came time for DSA and later IB applications, D’s shy nature became a real barrier. Despite his strong results, he narrowly missed out — once waitlisted, once balloted out. Watching him face rejection despite his hard work was heartbreaking.
But instead of giving up, D chose to keep going. That resilience, I believe, was the seed of his eventual breakthrough.
Persistence & Growth: Helping Classmates, Teacher Recognition
In his early secondary years, D channelled his energy into consistency and kindness. He worked hard, but more importantly, he began helping his classmates with subjects they found difficult.
It wasn’t just about grades anymore. His teachers noticed his selflessness, his quiet leadership, and his maturity. Over time, that recognition helped him build confidence — not in being the loudest, but in knowing he was making a difference.
Breakthrough: Getting into the IB Class and Building Quiet Confidence
By the time he was in Sec 3, D’s efforts paid off. He was accepted into the IB programme — not only that, but into one of the top classes.
What made me proudest wasn’t the achievement itself, but the way he earned it: through persistence, through helping others, and through steady resilience.
He is still the quietest in our household, but his quiet carries weight. It carries confidence. It carries purpose.
Takeaway: Resilience + Kindness Can Open Unexpected Doors
D’s journey taught me that confidence doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it grows quietly, through kindness, through persistence, through showing up again and again. For children like D, who may not fit the typical mould, success looks different — but it is no less powerful.
Do you have a child who struggles quietly or faces setbacks despite effort? I invite you to join my upcoming Primary 6 seminar, where I’ll share how empathy, persistence, and community can transform a child’s journey.
About Ms. Shereen Ng
Ms. Shereen Ng is Indigo Education’s Deputy Principal and Head of English & General Paper, with over 20 years in education. A mother of three, she believes learning begins with curiosity and grows through connection. Shereen helped shape Indigo’s renowned General Paper curriculum, blending rigor with real-world relevance to prepare students for a fast-changing world. In the classroom, she uses Socratic questioning to draw out students’ voices and builds safe, supportive spaces where they can think critically and learn from mistakes. Before Indigo, she taught General Paper at Temasek Junior College and Hwa Chong Institution, and served as a College Admissions Counsellor at Raffles Institution—experience that deepened her insights into post-A-level pathways. Today, Shereen mentors a team of teachers and continues to innovate programmes that nurture confident thinkers and responsible global citizens—at school and at home.