Why Kids Dislike Studying: 11 Reasons & How to Deal with them!

If your kids don’t like to study—or even hate studying—you’re not alone. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to handle situations where children show little interest in academics.

According to the Indiana University High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE), a large number of students share similar feelings:

• 73% said, “I didn’t like school.”
• 61% said, “I didn’t like the teachers.”
• 60% said, “I didn’t see the value in the work I was being asked to do.”
• About 25% said, “No adults in the school cared about me.”

(You can read the complete research and report after finishing this article.)

Now, let’s address the big question: Why do children dislike studying? And more importantly, what can you do as a parent or teacher to help them?

In this article, I’ll break down 11 reasons why kids or teenagers lose interest in studying—and practical ways to help them re-engage.

Let’s dive into it:

1. They Don’t Find Their Studies Interesting

One of the biggest reasons kids dislike studying is that they simply don’t find it interesting compared to other activities they enjoy.

It’s natural—if something doesn’t spark your interest, you’ll want to stop doing it as soon as possible.

Often, the study materials themselves can feel boring. Repetitive exercises, constant revisions (especially during exam season), and a lack of variety can make learning feel like a chore. In some cases, children may not even understand the material, leading them to cram information just to pass exams.

But studying shouldn’t be about memorizing facts for good grades or merely passing tests—it should be about gaining knowledge, building skills, and developing a deeper understanding of the world.

2. Not having a good mentor

A teacher plays the most important role in students’ life. A teacher not only helps children to understand the material but how he/she teaches the materials also matters to a child’s study.

Not having a good mentor or teacher can be also a big reason why your kids dislike studying. Every teacher has proficiency in a particular material but if your kids don’t understand the material by a teacher then somewhere the teacher doesn’t have the right way of teaching the subject.

Similarly, you would’ve watched many movies where students don’t study and always have fun in classes but after getting a great mentor students start focusing on their studies while having fun.

So, find a teacher for your kids whose teaching style you like much.

3. Find their learning style

There are 4 types of learning styles– Visual, Auditory, Reading & Writing, and Kinesthetic. Every student has a different and favorable learning style. With a suitable learning style, a student can learn and adopt something easily without finding it boring.

Now, you have to figure out which learning methods your children prefer most.

For example, if your child likes to watch visuals then studying with Infographics, and animated videos would be the best learning style for them as compared to reading books. Because, in this case, they will enjoy their study.

And, if your child loves to do practical work instead of writing things in notebooks then he/she is a kinesthetic learner. In this case, you can create learning games, and do hands-on practicals with him/her.

Once your kids start studying with a suitable learning style they will never dislike studying.

4. They can’t relate their study to the real world

Whatever subjects, and topics we study, are always associated with the real world. When we study Geometry, then we understand that making a bridge is possible because of Geometry only.

The ball that you throw in the sky comes back to you because of Gravity, even we can calculate the speed of the ball. You can also teach how ordering fractions is useful for them to learn.

You see, every single thing has a purpose to study, and your kids dislike studying because they can’t relate their studies to the real world. That’s why most children only study for exams and just for good grades.

So, you should help them to explore their studies and teach them what they study, and how it relates to the real world.

5. Allow them to use study tools & toys

Many study tools make studying easier and more fun. Here I’m going to list some study tools and toys that your kids must enjoy while studying with them:

• Number Match Card Games: This game consists of, sets of two-piece self-correcting matchups. This means if one piece has an image of six cats, there will be another piece having the number 6 written over it. This tool improves your child’s memory, observation, number recognition, counting, and visual discrimination skills.

• Abacus: Abacus is a great wooden game for kids to learn numbers with orders. You can use this educational game to make your kids aware of maths skills, patterning, and color recognition.

• Educational Rechargeable Solar Energy Kit: If you want technology in your child’s hands, this is your tool. This tool helps your growing children while they learn & shine. These kits aim to assist your child to gain a deeper understanding of basic principles of art and science creatively.

• Multifunctional Digital Learning Computing Box: This tool is the best example of a learning box. Your kids can learn mathematical skills like addition and subtraction with this tool. Additionally, they can practice numbers, timekeeping, alphabet, and punctuation through this box.

6. They have to compromise their passion for study

Again, one of the big reasons why children dislike studying is because they have to compromise their passion, hobbies, and other work while studying. They want to play soccer or watch television when they have to study.

That means they give priority to other things more compared to studying. So in this case, you have to separate their timing from other things with studies and they shouldn’t feel like they are not giving enough time to their hobbies.

For example, If your children like to watch television more, then you can give them an offer and ask them to study for 25 minutes, and then you can watch television for 50 minutes (i.e. 2 times more). This will surely work if your children dislike studying.

7. Getting bad grades

The kids who often fail a test or often get bad grades never like studying. Getting bad grades consistently can break your kid’s interest in the study and they feel nothing gonna happen if they study.

So, you have to make them believe they can also get good grades like other students. If they get bad grades then don’t scold or punish them. Have a friendly talk with them and ask them what mistakes they have made and try to solve the problems that stop them from achieving higher grades.

Boost their confidence when they get bad grades or feel regretful, and motivate them to give their best next time.

8. They don’t get any reward for study

When kids play games they find so much satisfaction and when they win they feel like getting a big reward.

But, children feel so much unrewarding in their studies. Yeah, It is certainly true that studying can be frustrating sometimes but it can be rewarding also. And, this reward you could give them when they solve a math question, finish their homework, or get good grades in exams.

Now, a reward doesn’t mean you give them an expensive car gift instead you can give them extra time for fun, candies, or anything that brings a small smile to their faces. Giving a reward wouldn’t be a big deal but it will promote their learning.

9. You don’t give enough time to them

In this rush life, parents often forget to give time to their children and this could be a reason also why children dislike studying.

If you only expect your kids to study and pass the exams then just to show you they will only pretend to study. So, you have given enough time to them, learn together with them, and help them with their projects and homework if they find it hard.

Appointing a tuition teacher won’t be too helpful for your kids unless you also take care of their studies. And, if you give enough time to them then I don’t think appointing a tuition teacher would be necessary for them.

10. They don’t get real-world projects

If your kids don’t have fun with studies then they must not like to study. And having fun in the study will only be possible when they get real-world projects also.

Studying and writing only theories can be boring unless they do practical work. So, if you really want them to like studying then you should ask them to do real-world projects.

For example, if your kids learn that saltwater is a great conductor of electricity then you can ask them to prove it and in their project or work, you can also help them to make it easier. This will also improve their creativity while learning.

11. Make them realize the importance of the study

We all know how study and education are important for us. Studying is not just important for educational development, but also builds personal skills. Having good study skills can improve your confidence, competence, and self-esteem. 

As you gain your education, you’ll be gaining a deeper understanding of what’s right, wrong, fair, and unfair.

I know these are the things you know already but what about your kids who dislike studying?

If you want to deal with them then you must teach them the value and importance of studying in their life.

Conclusion:

As I’ve mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t stress too much about why your kids dislike studying—instead, focus on ways to help them enjoy it.

In this article, we’ve explored 11 common reasons why children lose interest in studying and shared practical tips to address each one.

I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know which reasons resonated with you the most.