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    PSLE 2012 - child has no interest to study

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Working With Your Child
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    • E Offline
      elderflowertea
      last edited by

      mrswongtuition:
      1. Set common goals. Sit down and have a proper talk (not nagging session, but give your child a chance to air his/her views). If your child has reached the stage where anything you say is 'utter rubbish', then probably rope in a respected adult to be the mediator. I've done this many times for my students. Sit down with the parents and go through expectations, future plans, immediate actions, etc.


      2. Give your child some 'breathing space'. Easier said than done?
      The main point is to let your child know that if he/she can prove that he/she can be trusted to manage his/her own time, then you will gladly step back and not nag.
      Give them opportunities to prove themselves while you observe. You will still step in if they did not keep their end of the deal. And they can't argue anymore because the chance has been given to them.

      3. \"Interest\" is very subjective and to some parents, 'ability' will cloud the child's interest. The child's past experiences will also affect his/her 'interest' in studying.
      (a) Be upfront. Studying may not be the most interesting thing to do, but they have to do it.
      (b) Giving up a little 'freedom' now to study hard and reaping the benefits in future is something some children can never understand. Rephrase this by adding in something they like. Example: If you study hard now, you can do well enough to get into a school with fantastic soccer group and you will have the chance to join the school team and play for the school!
      (c) Praise and reward goes a long way. Celebrate small baby steps. If you child managed to stick to the agreed timetable for the day, he/she deserves some praise, even if it was just for that day. Praising your child will encourage him/her to continue with the good behaviour.

      Parents, if you are really having difficulty communicating with your child or getting the message across, please consider getting 3rd party help. Get an adult your child respects and will listen to to help you start the topic and be the mediator.

      Many parents have told me that they told their kids the exact same thing I told them, but the kids do not want to listen to their parents, they only want to listen to the tutor/teacher.

      And don't keep repeating what you want to convey. Honestly, they may seem distracted, but they ARE listening. They may seem indifferent, but they DO know.
      Say it once, remind them a second time. And stop. Don't go on like a broken record. Simple actions like a sigh from you and they will know what they've done wrong. Children are sensitive and they know, even if they choose to act like they don't.
      That's good. Then how do u motivate those students who are not so interested in their studies?

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      • M Offline
        mummy so kiasu
        last edited by

        starrysky321:
        Like the minority, we don't have the TV in the living room, only in a specific room for special occasion.


        I saw a parent who commented that getting away with TV/PC is not a solution as they need to learn how to be self-disciplined. I disagree with this idea though, just imagine a person who is a drug addict and wanting to quit drug, how on earth can you expect him to achieve it if the supply of drug is not ceased?

        i guess it is about stick, carrot, habit and appropriate environment; stick is the punishment, carrot is the reward, habit is the daily routine to do his work from young, environment is rid of distraction like tv/pc/game consoles, so apparently for the sake of the children i am afraid the parents must sacrifice the privilege of watching tv after a long hours day at work.
        :goodpost: I am one of the minority. We only watch DVD during school holiday & we don't have PC/game consoles too. :celebrate:

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        • M Offline
          mummy so kiasu
          last edited by

          DUPLICATE

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • V Offline
            verykiasumummy
            last edited by

            GG mum:
            Maybe try reward system?

            i agree with you. reward system is what i give to my kids. they get 1 star for every full marks worksheet assigned as homework and another star for completing any 1 set top school exam papers scoring above 70. when they achieve 30 stars, i bring them out to reward them with anything worth $50 and below. if not, they can wait till they reach 50 stars to get anything $100. last yr my ds accumulated 54 stars and made me buy him ipad together with his xmas gift budget.

            they are not very gifted kids i must say, i used to spend lots of time forcing them to do work and assesmt but with the reward system, they seem to be alot better...

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            • C Offline
              cheerygirl
              last edited by

              my girl has no interest in her studies too. she prefer to watch tv, play with her nieces in the house or sleep, draw, pc games but holding a textbook is the last thing she'll do. she has show symtoms recently in wanting to go out with her frds for movies etc. i rejected her as i think she is not mature enuf to wonder independently outside. she got poor results for this yr P5 exams. very worrying if she continue till PSLE.

              we have taken out her fav hobbies to spurn her studies. but she's like nochalent abt it. if she cannot hv this thing, she will live with other alternatives. she always can find something to entertain herself. basically there's nothing we can do to control her, make her come back to her books.
              Even the strict tutor almost gave up. she either scribbles on the homework or simple says she dunno how to do.

              we are at a loss. dunno how to teach anymore..

              shd we bring her to a psychologist? OR some motivation class like mindchamp or Adam Khoo similar enrichment sch??

              desperate mom :((

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • S Offline
                smartmummy
                last edited by

                cheerygirl:
                my girl has no interest in her studies too. she prefer to watch tv, play with her nieces in the house or sleep, draw, pc games but holding a textbook is the last thing she'll do. she has show symtoms recently in wanting to go out with her frds for movies etc. i rejected her as i think she is not mature enuf to wonder independently outside. she got poor results for this yr P5 exams. very worrying if she continue till PSLE.

                we have taken out her fav hobbies to spurn her studies. but she's like nochalent abt it. if she cannot hv this thing, she will live with other alternatives. she always can find something to entertain herself. basically there's nothing we can do to control her, make her come back to her books.
                Even the strict tutor almost gave up. she either scribbles on the homework or simple says she dunno how to do.

                we are at a loss. dunno how to teach anymore..

                shd we bring her to a psychologist? OR some motivation class like mindchamp or Adam Khoo similar enrichment sch??

                desperate mom :((
                one sec 1 girl gave tips. Read with ur DD.I tried with my son.My son started make notes in computer.Talk to her.Let her to talk.
                http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=16765

                Are u working mom?u can find many tips in many threads.Accumulate and try.All the best!

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • N Offline
                  Neosan60
                  last edited by

                  whatever it is, always encourage a work hard and play hard system with regards to studies and life. for my both DS, i work hard with them when it comes to examination periods especially my DS1’s PSLE, and then i play hard with him after that, to show that after working hard & completing priorities, he fully deserves to have good fun.

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                  • Coolkidsrock2C Offline
                    Coolkidsrock2
                    last edited by

                    cheerygirl:
                    my girl has no interest in her studies too. she prefer to watch tv, play with her nieces in the house or sleep, draw, pc games but holding a textbook is the last thing she'll do. she has show symtoms recently in wanting to go out with her frds for movies etc. i rejected her as i think she is not mature enuf to wonder independently outside. she got poor results for this yr P5 exams. very worrying if she continue till PSLE.

                    we have taken out her fav hobbies to spurn her studies. but she's like nochalent abt it. if she cannot hv this thing, she will live with other alternatives. she always can find something to entertain herself. basically there's nothing we can do to control her, make her come back to her books.
                    Even the strict tutor almost gave up. she either scribbles on the homework or simple says she dunno how to do.

                    we are at a loss. dunno how to teach anymore..

                    shd we bring her to a psychologist? OR some motivation class like mindchamp or Adam Khoo similar enrichment sch??

                    desperate mom :((
                    Hi Cherrygal, I had the same problem as yourself. DD still ba-la-lang at p5 but she matured in p6 and applied herself more during the year. She took the PSLE this year. I had been working with a psychologist for DC for the past 3-4 years. But for us, her grades actually improved when I took a step back and managed it at a very high level. Instead of studying for hours, we try to strategise it so that it is more effective or efficient way - study less, score more. DD hates the routine of drills and being a strong-willed child, she becomes very rebellious and oppositional. As she starts seeing results from a different approach, she becomes more motivated to keep up the improvement.

                    Our learning is also not restricted to exam papers and assessments. I use e-learning platforms and the TV as well.

                    May I suggest that you read Chen's book on Internal Drive Theory to motivate a child to study. Even if you send your child to psychologist or motivation class, you will still need to enforce certain concepts there to reap the benefits.

                    I know p1-p5 borderline kids who managed to score above 240 in their respective PSLE years after they became motivated to study in their p6 year. I also know kids in the 270 range who study only about 2-3 hours a day and they do not have tuition. They are not GEPpers and they told me that they pay attention in class and are very focused when they study.

                    The PSLE result is not out yet so I cannot say if DD will do well but am happy that she had matured during the year and we had grown closer.

                    There is still time. All the best.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • R Offline
                      Robinson27
                      last edited by

                      beanbear\" post_id=\"586211\" time=\"1316082718\" user_id=\"39831:

                      I can feel your frustration and anxiety. You can see the long-term consequences of your child's actions but your child seems to live for each day, each moment and does not fully appreciate why you focus your attention on the need for study and the importance of PSLE.

                      I'd like to offer a few observations and questions:

                      1. What daily structure/timetable have you established with your child? Is there a clear agreement between you and your child about how much is spent on each activity eg TV, computer, homework, revision, mealtimes, personal free-and easy time, etc?

                      My 3 children are not academically strong (2 older ones in P4 & P5 and youngest in K2) but one of the foundations I've instilled in my children is \"Self-Control\" & \"Discipline\" and I achieve these 2 behaviours through Clear Structure for all activities. For eg, my children are only allowed to have 30 mins of TV per child per day. They can choose their own programme on the channels I've approved. How do I know if my children watch only for 30 mins of TV? Each of them MUST use the timer clock (which I've purchased and used since they were in pre-schoolhttps://www.rachat-de-credit-simulation.com/regroupement-de-pret) when they start and when the timer goes off, the TV must be switched off. The timer is a Structure. The Time given of 30mins is also a Structure. What if they do not follow through? I've a clear Structure of Consequences for Non-Compliance or disobedience. They are banned from TV for the next day. Disobey for 2nd time, the ban on TV will be for one week. But I also balance with Rewards. If my child demonstrates he has done his homework properly and show good behaviour or it's the school holiday, they get to watch 1 hour of TV or watch a DVD which is 1.5 hours. This is just one example of TV. I use similar approaches for other activities too.

                      2. Motivation & Attention. Most children have short attention span and our school system promotes a very dry and unmotivating way of learning. Our children may not see the Relevance of the subjects they learn. They feel demoralized by memorising of facts and feeling underachievement.

                      For topics that my children are under-achieving and find them dry and boring, I find that as a parent I need to make the revision time in BITE SIZE. I organize the topics and use only 30mins for each topic and try to create some fun into them. For eg, we sometimes we role-play. My children become the Teacher and I become the student. Another time, we may do a quiz game and we form teams and win points. I keep these revision time-slots SHORT. 30 mins and if needed come back for another 30mins after the kids have some playtime.

                      Other times, I share with my kids which Mathematical operation or Scientific Principle is being used in daily life eg in cooking, in business, in shopping, etc. When children see the connection and relevance, they begin to appreciate. If I make them feel guilty, they will avoid learning and they feel demoralized. My questions for you to consider is: What Learning Approaches will be motivating for your child?

                      3. Study Environment. Is there a dedicated space for study? How organized and free from distractions is the study space? What environment would help your child to focus his attention? My children are given specific spaces to do their work and I train them to sit only in that space for studying. No studying on beds. I ensure their chairs structured properly for good posture and there's good lighting.

                      I hope these ideas may help you.
                      Hello, banning TV is not really my method, for me either I confiscate his phone and for the youngest I put it in the corner at least 15 minutes

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                      • D Offline
                        Durianrama Meng
                        last edited by

                        Hi Parents,

                        exams had just been over and kids including my son is waiting for school holidays to start. Since next year is his PLSE exam, I would like to do some P6 assessments (Maths) with him. I had tried encouraging him, telling him that I will guide hime through the assessment and we can do the assessment together. However he seemed not motivated. Although he managed to get a 85 for his maths, 84 for his science, I wish to get his momentum continued.

                        Also what broke my heart is that he said that he mentioned that he had no motivation in studies. When I asked him what will motivate him to study, he said his Roblox and money. He also mentioned that having his own PC in his room will be also another source of motivation since he can play games any time he loved. I explained to him that having his own PC will be a disaster more than a motivation.

                        Everyday after school, he will just sit infront of the PC, either watching Youtube (about games) or wait for his 1hr and 20 mins gameplay. He still do his school work but he is not paying much attention on them.

                        I am out of wits to get him motivated, and I dare not imagine what will happen in the following year.

                        Any advice?

                        Thanks!

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