Why Some Children Don’t Answer Questions (Even When They Know the Answer)
- Jerlyn Tong
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Understanding Language Processing Difficulties in Children — A Guide for Singapore Parents
You ask your child a question …and they respond with: “I don’t know.”
But you know they know the answer. Sound familiar?
This is one of the most common concerns raised by parents and teachers in Singapore. In many cases, it has nothing to do with knowledge or attitude - it is a sign of language processing difficulty, which is highly treatable with the right support.
It’s Not Always About Knowledge
When a child doesn’t answer, it’s easy to assume:
They weren’t paying attention
They didn’t study
They’re being uncooperative
But often, the real reason is:
They are struggling with language processing. Language processing difficulty refers to how the brain receives, interprets, and formulates language - not how smart a child is.
Many children with average or above-average intelligence experience this, and it often goes unidentified for years.
What Might Be Happening?
These are the four most common reasons children struggle to answer questions - even when they understand the topic
1. Processing Time
Also known as slow processing speed. Some children need more time to:
understand the question
think of an answer
organise their response
If rushed, they may default to: “I don’t know”
Slow processing speed is not the same as low intelligence. Many children with ADHD, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), or Autism Spectrum Disorder experience this regularly.
2. Difficulty Understanding the Question
Questions can be more complex than they seem.
For example:
“Why do you think he did that?”
“What might happen next?”
These require:
comprehension
reasoning
language formulation
In Singapore classrooms - where higher-order thinking questions are common from Primary school onwards - children with language processing gaps can fall behind quickly, not because they lack ability, but because the question itself is a barrier.
3. Challenges Expressing Ideas
Also called expressive language difficulty. A child may:
know the answer internally
but struggle to put it into words
So instead of trying (and possibly getting it wrong), they avoid answering.
This is sometimes called the "tip of the tongue" experience — but for children with expressive language difficulties, it happens frequently and across many contexts, not
just occasionally.
4. Low Confidence
If a child:
has been corrected often
feels unsure
They may hesitate, speak softly, or avoid responding altogether.
This is especially common in children who have experienced repeated frustration in classroom settings or who compare themselves to more verbally fluent peers. Over time, avoidance becomes a habit - and the gap widens.
What This Looks Like
Frequent “I don’t know” responses
Long pauses before answering
Very short or vague answers
Saying multiple answers because they’re unsure
Avoiding eye contact when questioned
If you regularly recognise three or more of these in your child, it is worth seeking a professional language assessment. These signs are often mistaken for defiance or disinterest when they are actually indicators of an underlying language processing difficulty.
How We Help in Therapy
In Educational Therapy at Total Communication, Singapore, we:
Break down questions into manageable parts
Teach children how to understand different question types
Use scaffolding (e.g., sentence starters)
Give processing time
Build confidence in responding
We guide children to move from:
“I don’t know” to “Let me think… I think it’s because…”
Our educational therapists work with children aged 3–19 across a wide range of needs - including language processing difficulties, DLD, ADHD, Autism, and learning differences - using evidence-based, individualised approaches.
What You Could Try at Home
Give your child time to think
Rephrase questions more simply
Offer choices if needed
Model answers out loud
Encourage effort, not just correctness
Tip for Singapore parents: if your child is navigating English and another home language simultaneously, questions that mix language demands can be doubly hard to process. Asking in your home language first, then bridging to English, can reduce the cognitive load significantly.
Let’s Support Your Child Together
If your child often struggles to answer questions, it may not be about what they know—but how they process and express it.
Total Communication is a specialist therapy centre in Singapore with close to two decades of experience. We support children aged 3–19 with Speech Therapy, Educational Therapy, and Developmental Support - working closely with families and 20+ local and international schools across Singapore.
Reach out to learn how we can support your child’s confidence and communication.
Call/WhatsApp: +65 9115 8895
Fill out the reachout form: https://www.totalcommunication.com.sg/contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my child say "I don't know" even when they know the answer?
This is usually a sign of language processing difficulty — the child may understand the topic but struggle to retrieve, organise, or express their answer under pressure. It is not related to intelligence or effort.
What is a language processing difficulty?
It is a condition where the brain takes longer to interpret or formulate language. It is different from a hearing problem and is separate from general learning ability. It can occur alongside ADHD, Autism, or Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), or on its own.
When should I seek help for my child in Singapore?
If your child regularly avoids answering questions, gives very short responses, or seems to know things but cannot explain them - especially if this is affecting their school performance - it is worth booking an assessment with a speech-language therapist or educational therapist.
What is the difference between Educational Therapy and Speech Therapy for this issue?
Speech Therapy addresses the mechanics of language - sounds, words, and sentence structure. Educational Therapy focuses on how language is used for learning - answering questions, comprehension, reasoning, and academic expression. Many children benefit from both.
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