Understanding Processing Speed
When a child finds it difficult to keep up in class or seems to take longer to finish tasks, parents might wonder: “Are they distracted, do they not understand, or is something else going on?” One factor that should be considered is processing speed.
What is Processing Speed?
Processing speed is the rate at which a child can take in information, make sense of it, and respond. It’s not about intelligence. A child can be bright and capable but take longer to read a question, decide how to answer, or complete a piece of work.
Children with slower processing speed might:
Take longer to read instructions or questions.
Find it tricky to finish timed tests even when they understand the work.
Need more time to organise their thoughts before writing or speaking.
Appear “dreamy” or easily distracted because their brain is busy working in the background.
Why Does Processing Speed Matter?
In the classroom and during exams like the 11+, speed is important. Timed tasks, reading comprehension exercises, and mental maths all demand quick thinking. Slow processing can lead to:
Incomplete tasks, even if the answers are correct.
Lower confidence, as children feel they are “behind”.
Avoidance behaviours, like giving up or rushing with mistakes.
Understanding processing speed helps parents and tutors support rather than add to the pressure.
Top Tips!
At The Brainery, we focus on strategies to build speed and confidence without creating anxiety:
Chunking Work
Breaking big tasks into smaller steps helps children process one thing at a time.Building Automatic Skills
The more fluent a child is with core skills (times tables, spellings, common vocabulary), the more brain space they have for problem-solving.Timed but Low-Stress Practice
Using gentle timed activities for reading or mental maths builds familiarity without panic.Visual Supports
Mind maps, flowcharts, and colour coding can help children see connections faster.Confidence First
Celebrating accuracy and small improvements in speed motivates children to keep trying.
When to Seek Extra Support
If a child’s processing speed is significantly affecting their schoolwork or emotional wellbeing, an educational assessment can provide clarity. Strategies from a tutor combined with advice from a specialist can make a big difference.
Processing speed is not a measure of intelligence—it’s simply how long it takes a child to respond to the world around them. With the right support, children can develop the strategies they need to thrive both in the classroom and in exams like the 11+.