Finding It Hard to Motivate Students to Study? Try These 3 Tips!

Written By Scholarly’s Editorial Minion, Rashini D Selvasegaran

We know how tough it is to motivate your child to study when endless digital distractions surround them.

Our society has become an increasingly fast-paced digital world that makes traditional rewards like screen time or sweet treats lose their appeal when motivating kids to study. As children become more digitally savvy, parents often find it increasingly challenging to inspire them without resorting to material rewards. So, how can we nurture children’s intrinsic motivation and encourage their love for learning while moving away from material rewards?

Read on to find out more!

1. Creating a Points System

Create a tiered reward system where your child can earn points for completing tasks or achieving goals. Once your child has collected a certain number of points, they can exchange them for anything you would like to reward them for, like extra playtime, a special outing, or even a small treat. A point system encourages them to be excited to learn and focus on completing their revision. Implementing a points system emphasises a more gradual approach to motivation.

Instead of directly rewarding children for completing a task, we want to focus on cultivating a habit so students can appreciate their efforts, accomplishments, and progress.

Here’s why a points system can be more effective in maintaining motivation without being materialistic:

Focus on Effort and Growth: A points system allows students to earn points for their effort, participation, and persistence rather than just for achieving specific grades. This emphasis on growth encourages a mindset where learning is valued rather than just for tangible rewards.
Flexibility in Reward Options: Parents have the creative freedom to decide what rewards their children can redeem that are not solely materialistic goods. For instance, you might reward them with a fun family outing, extra playtime, or a day off from chores. Encouraging children to value experiences and personal time over material goods is a necessary trait to cultivate at a young age.
Encouraging Goal Setting: By tracking points, students can set and monitor their own learning goals. This self-management fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership over their education, motivating them to stay engaged with their studies.
Building a Sense of Achievement: When students see their dedication to study results in the accumulation of points, it provides them with a sense of achievement. Being able to visibly track their accomplishments reinforces their efforts and helps build confidence in them to continue trying to tackle more challenging subjects.

2. Let Your Kids Take the Lead in Their Learning

Involving your children in creating their study schedule and choosing the subjects they wish to focus on sparks their motivation to study. When you give them agency in their education, they develop a sense of ownership that can spark genuine interest and motivation. Children feel appreciated when they realise their opinions matter, transforming learning from a chore into an exciting journey.

Here are some resources you can use to customise your child’s study schedule:

3. Create a Positive Study Environment

Students must have a positive study environment so they will feel motivated to study.

How do parents design such an environment?

Firstly, ensure your child's learning space is comfortable, distraction-free, well-lit, and organised. Remove their electronic devices to limit digital distractions and help your child focus on their work. To make them feel even more motivated, let them personalise their space with items that inspire them, such as their favourite books or artwork. Additionally, consider placing affirmation sticky notes around their study area with personalised encouraging messages. Your reminders can boost their confidence and remind them of their capabilities, making the study environment a place where they feel supported and eager to learn.

By combining these strategies, you can help cultivate your child's motivation and create a more positive learning experience. Always remember that as a parent, you have a big influence on your child's attitude towards studying. Your encouragement, support, and involvement can inspire them to treat education as a rewarding journey rather than a chore. By fostering an environment that values effort and curiosity, you can empower your child to develop a lifelong love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom.