Every parent wants their child to succeed in school. Although, it gets a bit concerning for the parents when the kids show little to no interest in learning. It’s normal for children to go through phases where they may not feel motivated to learn. Parents need to help them get back on track.
The secret is to transform studying into a fun and fulfilling activity and change children’s perceptions of it.Here are some practical tips that can help develop an interest in studying and change a child’s mindset.
Begin with instilling positive affirmation
Instead of constantly nagging or pointing out when children don’t study, parents of successful kids often focus on appreciating the moments when they do sit down to learn, even if it’s just for a short time. This positive reinforcement helps build a child’s self-image as someone who enjoys studying and works hard. When parents acknowledge their efforts by saying things like, “You’re really focused today,” or “I can see how much you’re enjoying this,” it encourages children to see themselves as capable and motivated learners.
Give genuine appreciation
Children thrive on encouragement. When a child makes even a small effort to study, make sure to acknowledge it. Giving them credit for their efforts rather than only the outcomes will motivate them to keep trying. They will feel appreciated and realise that their efforts are important if parents say something like, “I’m proud of how hard you worked on your homework.” A good learning attitude can be gradually developed by recognizing and appreciating small victories along the way.
Find the best way for your child to learn
Each child is unique, and their learning preferences can vary. Some kids may enjoy reading books, while others might better understand concepts through visual bits of help like videos, interesting facts, or a story-based approach. It’s important to explore different methods to see what clicks with a child. For example, if they find history boring, try turning it into a storytime session.
Create a wall calendar for tracking progress
A wall calendar is an educational and fun tool for keeping kids involved and organized. Mark important occasions, such as test days or project due dates. Parents can also motivate their kids to include their own accomplishments, such as completing a book or becoming an expert in a certain subject. Allowing students to add drawings or stickers to the calendar gives it a unique touch and increases its interactivity. They may be inspired to keep going by this tiny step.
Relate the subjects to real-life
In general, children have difficulty with subjects that don’t appear interesting to them. Help your child to connect their academics to real-world situations to give learning greater significance. For example: if they are studying plants, take them for a walk in the yard and discuss the many types of flowers. If they are studying numbers, include them in budgets for grocery shopping. When provided with real-world examples, children are better able to comprehend how what they are learning relates to their daily lives.
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Avoid the pressure of competition
Pushing children to compete with others may create stress, anxiety and unwanted outbursts. Parents need to focus on their child’s individual growth instead of comparing them to their peers. Motivate the child to set personal goals, such as improving their reading speed or learning new words every day. This eventually helps them create a healthy mindset where studying is seen as a way to improve oneself rather than as a race to the top.
Allow them to learn at their own pace
Sometimes, it’s better to let children figure things out on their own. When kids are given the space to explore and learn in their own way, they can develop a sense of independence. Try to inculcate some habits in your child. Just like asking questions and seeking answers, rather than always providing solutions for them. Trusting them to take charge of their learning journey helps build resilience and a love for lifelong learning.
