Some children are gifted with perseverance and good study skills, while the rest are used to living with the notion that studying is an annoying and useless activity. If your child is the second type, don't be in a rush to get frustrated or give up; instead, try to help your child to build better study habits. Remember, teaching your child to be disciplined in learning is important; however, instilling an understanding that learning is a fun activity is the most important thing you must do if you want to motivate him to study better.
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Method 1 of 3: Building Discipline
Step 1. Make your child understand the importance of learning
Give examples that can enrich his understanding; for example, take him to meet someone who is very studious, and ask him to ask why that person is persistent. Tell us about your experiences in school and explain how challenging and fun your learning process was at that time.
Step 2. Start early
After your child is in school, immediately teach him how to divide his time. Teach him that school is a more important priority than playing games or watching television; also instill the habit of completing schoolwork before doing other things.
Step 3. Provide an understanding of the consequences
Some schools do not allow students to improve their grades if they fail; however, there are also schools that provide Long Semester programs during the holidays for students whose grades are considered insufficient. Of course your child doesn't want to go to school during the holidays, right? However, occasionally let your child feel it; at least, he will understand the negative consequences of lazy to study. As a result, he will study harder in the next semester so that he can enjoy his vacation time without a burden. Taking remedial classes might help you to catch up throughout the semester and ensure that the situation doesn't happen again in the following semesters.
Step 4. As much as possible, don't force your child to study
Over time, this coercion will actually make your child do everything possible to avoid learning activities. If you force him to sit at the dinner table for three hours and lock the door so he can focus on studying, he's more likely to refuse your request later. If you keep stressing the importance of studying and scolding him if he doesn't study, he's likely to hate studying and even hate you, who he sees as an authority figure at home. On the other hand, if you ask him to study in a relaxed tone and help him understand the importance of studying, he's likely to do much better.
- "Looks like you have to study, now" sounds much more positive than "Learn now!" After all, by saying the first sentence, he would most likely think, "Oh yeah, I guess I really have to study now."
- Instill positivity in your child and let him explore the importance of learning for himself. Constantly pressing him to learn will only make him rebel, hate studying, or even hate you!
Step 5. Set a positive example
Let your child see your hard work while doing something. When he is studying or doing schoolwork, sit with him and do your office work too. Take an hour each night to study and work with your child!
Step 6. Ask your child to rest
Balance your child's learning and play activities. In other words, make sure your child always finds time to rest so he doesn't experience stress that can interfere with his health, social life, and academic performance. After 20 minutes, humans are prone to losing focus; therefore, ask him to rest after 20 minutes of studying so that his brain also helps to remember the material better.
- Don't force your child to sit at the computer all day. Make sure his eyes are rested; Also make sure he has enough time to play outside.
- If your child is forced to study longer than the limit of his focus, chances are his brain will not be able to absorb the material to its full potential; worse, he has the potential to even associate learning with negative meanings.
Step 7. Pay attention to your child's group of friends
If your friends are also lazy to study and go to school, chances are that these behaviors are influencing your child's behavior. Consider whether you have the right or responsibility to be involved in your child's social life; if the problem persists, try talking to your child or their friends' parents, or limiting your child's playtime with these people. If the situation doesn't improve, consider doing something more "brutal" like transferring your child to another school.
Method 2 of 3: Increase Children's Passion for Learning
Step 1. Implement a reward system
Humans are used to living with the assumption that their hard work will pay off one day. Try to apply it to the way your child learns. For example, he may break free from one housework, receive extra pocket money, or watch more television if he wants to study; offer any rewards that can motivate your child to learn. Make sure you explain the system clearly and stick to it. There are two ways you can "bribe" your child:
- Explain to your child that he will be rewarded for learning. For example, he can eat a bar of chocolate or play outside for 30 minutes if he wants to study. But remember, there are also children who are not tempted by such an offer.
- Explain to your child that he will not get anything if he is lazy to study. For example, he can't go out with his friends if he doesn't want to study for an hour.
Step 2. Make your child have a purpose
Often, learning activities are considered useless because they seem to have no purpose. Therefore, make sure your child understands the purpose and benefits of learning for his life. Explain that studying can help him improve his grades, which in turn, will increase the number of universities he can attend. The more universities that open their doors to your child, the more likely they are to achieve their future goals!
Step 3. Increase your child's engagement by associating less "interesting" topics with subjects that interest them
Generally, children will naturally be attracted to certain subjects; their high level of interest will make the subject easy. Over time, they will love the subject more and hate the more difficult subject. Such hatred or distaste may prompt them to completely ignore the subject and find excuses not to study it. Before your child feels the need to learn math because “algebra is useless in everyday life”, help them understand that school will definitely be more fun if they only study the things that interest them. However, on the other hand, having a comprehensive understanding of many things will also help their lives later in life.
- One way you can do this is by connecting a subject that he doesn't understand with a subject that he is good at. Use relevant examples and comparisons; for example, if your child loves history but hates math, try taking them to study the history of numbers or a mathematician's biography. You can also instill the understanding that mathematical methods such as radiocarbon dating can help better timeline historical events.
- Ask your child's teacher, friends, or tutor for help. Increase your child's engagement by offering them online resources such as educational games or Youtube videos.
Step 4. Consider enrolling your child in a special learning program that interests them
If your child is always lazy to do English assignments, but is willing to spend hours doing science experiments, try enrolling him in a science club or scientific training program. If your child is always lazy to study before exams but never gets tired of playing music, develop his musical skills by asking him to join an orchestra club or music lessons. Point out that he can study whatever he's interested in if he's willing to put in a few percent of the class that's boring for him. Discipline your child by increasing his interest and enthusiasm for learning.
Step 5. Teach your child to gain knowledge, not just learn
Encourage him to learn new things every day, no matter how simple they are. Remember, understanding thousands of theories will be meaningless if your child doesn't understand the meaning of learning and loves learning. Show your child that learning is a fun activity; After that, don't be surprised if you don't have to make him learn anymore.
- Invite your child to visit a public space to stimulate his mind. For example, take him to a museum of historical objects, a museum of works of art, or even to an aquarium. Take him to the library, the zoo, or to a play. Take her to visit places that are sure to leave a positive impression on her mind.
- Look for interactive ways to help your child learn at home. For example, invite him to watch documentaries, play educational games, or invite him to read books. Ask him questions, and teach him to think critically about everything that happens around him.
Step 6. Find a "fun" way of learning
Use picture cards, personal study guides, or sticky notes pasted on the walls of your child's room to make learning more interesting for him. You can even ask him to study with his friends via email. Don't be afraid to think creatively or unconventionally! Perhaps, what makes your child lazy to learn is not the material, but how to learn the material. For that, try to apply several different learning methods and find the most suitable learning system for your child.
If your child wants to learn in a certain way to make learning more fun, let him do it. If he doesn't mind, or if he doesn't want to learn at all, there's nothing wrong with recommending creative and interesting study ideas to him
Method 3 of 3: Guide Study Sessions
Step 1. Get yourself involved
Show interest in what your child is learning; also pay attention to the material that is considered easy or difficult by him. Familiarize yourself with the material your child is studying; After all, you won't be able to teach algebra to your kids if you're not familiar with the basic concepts, right? Take the initiative to understand your child's subject matter so you can better help him.
- If the material that is difficult for your child is also difficult for you, try consulting with the teacher. Don't ask him to ask the teacher himself; most likely, he will forget or be too embarrassed to do so. Instead, try asking him to meet with his class teacher, and find the learning method that works best for your child with the help of the teacher in question.
- Take time to accompany him to do homework. In other words, don't just tell him to do something, but be willing to guide him to do it. But remember, some children do not like to study while accompanied or supervised by others. For that, be flexible and be willing to adapt to your child's preferences.
Step 2. Reduce distractions
Turn off the television and keep any games out of reach. If your child is learning with the help of a computer, don't let go of your supervision to make sure he's not playing games. If you want, you can even block access to some sites or turn off the internet while studying.
Step 3. Understand the best learning method for your child
Understand what makes him more focused and productive, then try to build a more ideal learning environment for him. Treat your child like an individual with unique needs and strengths. If it's easier for him to remember the material by reading it, try asking him to read the material aloud and repeat it in his own words. Some children find it easier to remember material by writing it down, try asking them to write down math formulas while remembering them well. If he finds it easier to remember material by listening to it, help him learn by reading the material aloud.
- Understand the most conducive learning environment for your child. Can he absorb material more easily if accompanied by food? Or quite the opposite? Does he prefer to study in a quiet environment or does he have to listen to music? Does he prefer to study while sitting at his desk, on the couch, or on a yoga ball?
- Don't assume your child is lazy to study just because they don't sit too long at the desk. Remember, everyone's speed at reading, writing, and understanding material is different; in other words, each child's learning speed is different.
Step 4. Consider hiring a tutor
Your child's teacher may recommend a private tutor that is right for you; If your budget is right, don't hesitate to take the opportunity. Taking lessons outside of school hours may be a powerful way to increase your child's understanding; in fact, you can learn something as a parent. If your financial situation doesn't allow it, try asking your child to take extra lessons at school. Most schools even provide peer-mentoring programs that allow students to study with fellow students. In this modern era, you can even always rely on the internet to find video courses that can be accessed for free.
Step 5. If your child is still small, try to always accompany him to learn
Let him do everything independently, but be willing to help him if he's having trouble. Make sure you are always patient, positive, and tolerant. As your child gets older, he or she will become more mature, disciplined, and independent; when that time comes, you can take a few steps back and let them form their own study habits.
Step 6. Read your child's homework and schoolwork
If possible, read all of your essays, written assignments, and homework. Try checking his answers and helping him correct any answers that are still wrong. Remember, the way you guide should be able to provide positive support for him, not add to his burden and make him feel stressed. Don't do anything that has the potential to make your child feel stupid or worthless.
