How to increase children’s interest in a subject?

We all know every subject plays a crucial role in children's education and their life afterwards. However, children have distinct personalities and interests, which make them develop certain likes and dislikes towards subjects taught in school. Being a parent, you should respect their individuality but emphasize the importance of studying all subjects. Below are listed eight ways that can help boost your child's interest in any subject, be it science, social science, mathematics or any other.

1. Tell the practical use of the subject

Most children get disinterested in a subject when they find no practical use for it. At such times, parents can help them know the subject's relevance. For instance, if your child dislikes physics because they don’t see any real-world application to it, you can explain how it is related to everything they do in their day-to-day life, from cycling to playing. And once they understand their practical use, they will get interested in it.

2. Lower your expectations

Unrealistic expectations put unnecessary pressure on children and lower their interest in studies. However, realistic goals can help children progress and achieve their goals within a set time frame. For example, if your child struggles in mathematics and you continue telling them to obtain good grades without assessing their abilities, they will get frustrated and lose interest. So, use a balanced approach in which you consider their strength, weakness, learning style and progress. Help them understand the concepts and find ways to make math enjoyable for them.

3. Use multiple resources

Textbooks, workbooks and study guides give children a plethora of knowledge and information, but for some, it can be a real hard work to understand things from them. Also, the human voice can help some children understand, but it can be distracting for others. So, you need to look for multiple resources for raising your child's interest, like you can show them educational videos/documentaries on channels such as national geographic or  YouTube. The best CBSE school in Baddi arranges field trips to museums and national parks to increase children's curiosity. They also invite guest speakers to schools who are experts or enthusiasts in specific subjects to inspire students.

4. Change their environment

Sitting in a study room for long hours after school can make children bored, especially if they are young. So, why not change their environment? Shifting their study area to your backyard can help them enjoy the fresh air and connect with nature. The motivating and stimulating environment of the outdoor space can help them engage better with their studies. Outdoor setting can also enhance their creativity, and problem-solving skills, which will help them in their studies.

5. Understand their hobbies and interest

Find out what your kids like doing and try to include them in the subject matter. When children understand the direct connection of their hobbies with the subject, they will get curious and explore the subject even more. For example, if your child is interested in environmental conversation but does not enjoy science, help them discover the relationship between them by discussing topics such as biodiversity, ecosystem, etc.

6. Tell them the relevance of the subject in the future

By telling your children the relevance of a subject in the future, you will help them understand how their current studies will shape their careers. They will recognise how important it is to build a strong foundation in the subject and what they should do for themselves to increase their interests. Let us say your children hate geography and consistently get low grades in the subject, then tell them how geography will benefit them. For example, geography will help them interpret data, maps and give them a broader understanding of the world. Studying geography will also help them know about environmental issues such as global warming, climate change, etc.

7. Motivate them at every step

It’s essential to be understanding and empathetic to children, as studying a subject that doesn’t appeal to them is difficult. Try applying different strategies and be patient if strategies don’t work; Seek additional alternatives and support if required. Help them at every step if they are having hard time in studies by providing a supportive environment and encouraging them to keep studying. Top CBSE schools in Barotiwala make studying engaging for students by employing several ways.

8. Set an example

Children learn from their elders, and when they see their parents showing enthusiasm and curiosity about learning new things and facing challenges, they will probably adopt it. Moreover, if they witness you value learning and expanding knowledge of various subjects/topics, they will put in more effort to explore and understand subjects that they may not like. So, if you want your children to show a positive attitude toward learning a subject they don’t like, demonstrate it at home.

The bottom line

The above strategies are a few ways by which you can make your children more interested in a subject. But have patience and let them discover their own pace. Also, celebrate their minor achievements; This will boost their confidence and encourage them to continue taking an interest in the subject.