Just like adults, it’s common for children to lose their motivation to work. An off day every few weeks is normal, but if your child is consistently running into issues with productivity, you should address the problem. Here are a few things to do when your child doesn’t want to work.
Talk to Your Child
The first thing to do when addressing productivity issues is to talk to your child. Ask them why they’re having a hard time focusing on their work. They might be struggling with a topic or book they’re trying to get through. The source of their apathy might be a personal issue with a friend or family member. The best way to address the problem is to get to the root of it.
Be Patient
Whether you can figure out why your child doesn’t want to work or not, be patient with them. There are hundreds of reasons they might be struggling and you may not figure out exactly why. Give them some time to figure out their feelings. If the child is young, give them a few minutes or hours to relax and see if they’re ready to get back into things. If you have a teenager, a refusal to work may be an act of rebellion. Give them a short cooling off period and they won’t feel the need to rebel anymore.
Figure Out What Motivates Your Child
Sometimes a lack of motivation means your child doesn’t understand why the work they’re doing is important. Explain to young children that these skills will help them do fun things like reading and writing. If they’re older, ask them about their career goals and explain how this work will help them get there. Sometimes small rewards and incentives can get a child back on track.
Give Plenty of Breaks
Kids experience burnout too. Make sure your child gets plenty of breaks during the day. This will help avoid a reluctance to work based on exhaustion of boredom. Encourage your kids to rest their eyes from computer screens every 20-30 minutes. They should also stand up and stretch every hour. Frequent water and snack breaks will keep up their energy as well.