Has your school-goer lost interest in studies? Get him back on track again 

All kids, from toddlers to late teens, go through a phase where they just won’t sit down to study. They will dig up all probable excuses depending on age, but they won’t study. Some kids even go to the extent of agreeing to complete long pending chores (this is your chance to get them clean the cupboard at last), but homework seems to give them an allergy.  

You know it’s a phase. But why does it happen and how do you get them back on track?  

Why do kids lose interest in studies?  
Here are the most common reasons for an ‘I hate studies’ phase: 

Obsessed with other, more exciting activities: Gaming, tinkering with the mobile, social media – can all turn into obsessions – and replace study hours. Kids my think reducing an hour from Maths and ‘investing’ it into Instagram is ‘okay’. Soon, the more absorbing activity becomes a preference over studies  

Studying alone increases a feeling of isolation: Many children have difficulty studying when left alone. It makes them feel helpless. What with the lockdown, this problem is increasing 

Pedagogy feels purposeless and boring: Middle and high school students often feel what they are studying is too ‘bookish’ and won’t get them a successful career. They become bored with routine lessons taught in an unimaginative and uninspiring way 

Homework overload and performance pressure: Sometimes parents and teachers over-stress the importance of studies to make students more serious. But it has exactly the opposite effect by putting off kids even more  

The first step to get your kid back to studies again is to identify the reason that is applicable.  

How can you get your child to concentrate again?  
Try one of these suggestions, but tweak it according to your child’s age:  

• Begin by talking to them to realise what is putting them off. Sometimes younger kids just need a break, and teenagers need to find a purpose 
• Build in regular play / activity / hobby / sports hours with their study schedule so that it never gets monotonous  
• Ensure your child gets to interact with peer group virtually if school has gone online  

Do not pressurise students facing board or competitive exam. Explain that doing well will be good for them. If they grasp the importance of the situation, they will automatically study harder. If the classroom methods are really boring, fill the gap with online courses and interactive apps.