Dr Tej Samani announces new book exploring how children learn
The Learning Code: The Life-Changing Method to Boost Your Child’s Results and Happiness will be published by The Bodley Head on 28 January 2027.
The book draws on Dr Tej’s 15 years of coaching experience, during which he has worked with more than 10,000 pupils across over 300 schools.
At the heart of the book is what Dr Tej describes as “academic mental health” – the emotional and psychological relationship a child develops with learning.
He argues that, while children are routinely taught subject content, considerably less attention is given to helping them understand how they learn, how emotions can affect performance, and how they can develop learning strategies that work for their individual needs.
Dr Tej said:
“I want to start a conversation about academic mental health – the emotional and psychological relationship a child develops with learning – and to give parents the tools to identify the emotional signals behind their child’s behaviour and build them into their child’s learning and revision.”
Supporting different learning needs
The book introduces a seven-step method designed to work across different subjects and adapt to individual learners, including children with Special Educational Needs and neurodivergent pupils.
It also explores the relationship between anxiety and academic performance, an area Dr Tej has previously described through the phrase “worried minds don’t work well”.
Rather than seeing attainment, confidence and wellbeing as separate issues, the approach encourages parents and educators to consider how they influence one another.
Topics covered include why effort does not always translate directly into results, common mistakes pupils make when revising, the learning habits that can make a difference, and how adults can support children academically without inadvertently increasing pressure.
Alice Skinner, Editorial Director at The Bodley Head, said the book comes at a time when education can be both “a priority and a pressure point” for families.
She added that the guide aims to help parents support both their child’s academic progress and their wellbeing.
Dr Tej is an honorary research fellow at the University of Sussex and has previously contributed to the SEND Network podcast, discussing learning, anxiety and the pressures experienced by children and young people.
The Learning Code by Dr Tej Samani will be published by The Bodley Head on 28 January 2027 and is available to pre-order now.
Watch Dr Tej’s new YouTube series
Dr Tej has also recently launched a new YouTube series, Dr Tej’s Virtual Classroom, exploring some of the pressures and challenges facing young people throughout their education.
In the first episode, he looks at the pressure surrounding GCSE and A-level results day, and asks whether young people are given enough support to deal with what comes next.
