Why some children lack motivation (and how to help)

Have you ever noticed your child seeming lethargic or unmotivated? As children progress through school, sometimes they become fatigued, struggling to find the “why” behind certain subjects or assignments. At Huntington, we see many reasons students lose motivation and offer these tips to help:  

Why do some students lose motivation?  

• Because they’re struggling. When a student has a hard time with a subject, it can be difficult to keep up with the work.  

• Because they don’t see the point. If a student doesn’t find a subject interesting or relevant, it’s easy to withdraw or decide that working on homework isn’t worthwhile.  

• Because they lack confidence. It happens often: a student starts to struggle, grades suffer, and the student declares, “I’ll never be good at this,” and gives up.  

What can you do if you notice your child isn’t motivated? Here are a few tips:  

• Encourage a routine. For many, sticking to a routine feels good and provides a sense of accomplishment. Make sure your child has a good routine and that you uphold it at home. It makes a difference in keeping learning on task and giving the day good structure.  

• Let your child take charge. One of the most common mistakes well-intentioned parents make is doing too much for their children. If you’ve been guilty of motivating your child by stepping in too often or too much, stop now and let your child take the lead. School is your child’s responsibility. Speak about it that way and make sure your actions follow suit. Be on hand for support, but don’t be the leader.  

• Talk about your child’s goals. Children who set short- and long-term goals tend to be more motivated, eager to learn and more likely to try things because they want to, not because they have to. Setting goals gives your child something to work toward. So, talk with your child about the future…high school…college…this school year. What does your child want to accomplish? Talk about how your child can get there.  

• Set a good example. Your child sees what you do and often emulates it. Give your words meaning by practicing what you preach. Read often and invite your child to join you. Take a class in something that interests you, either online or in person. Apply for that new position at work. Show your child that learning and growing are exciting and fun activities, and you might find that the inspiration rubs off naturally. 

• Remind your child that not everything is fun. There will be many times that your child lacks motivation because something simply doesn’t sound enjoyable. That science homework holds no interest, and your child just doesn’t want to do it. Rather than commiserate with your child that science is hard and boring, talk about its value and how your child has improved in the subject over time. Remind them that success in life often comes from hard work, and the most valuable lessons come from situations that require perseverance and resilience.  

Last but definitely not least, help your child find success in school, as that’s a big factor in motivation. If your child is struggling, it’s understandably going to be that much more difficult to maintain motivation.