How to Motivate Children to Study? 'Preparing Rewards' Tops the List of Methods Practiced by Parents
A survey of 100 parents revealed that 52% feel their child lacks study motivation. The most popular strategy to counter this is 'providing rewards' (30.8%), while the main obstacles are 'lack of understanding' and 'digital distractions.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 03:54 (17h 22m after Collected)
■ The Problem of Children's 'Motivation for Studying': How Do Parents Feel?
You see your child sitting at their desk, but before you know it, they are touching their smartphone. Have you ever let out a sigh at such a sight? A child's motivation to study is a common cause of concern for many households.
In collaboration with Last Teacher, a private tutoring service, we conducted a survey on 'children's study motivation issues' among 100 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they have children of high school age or younger.
[Survey Overview]
- Method: Internet survey
- Period: April 9, 2026 – April 14, 2026
- Target: Parents with children of high school age or younger
- Valid Responses: 100
■ 52.0% of Parents Feel Their Child Has Lost Motivation for Studying
First, we asked if they had ever felt their child was losing motivation for studying. The results were nearly split: 52.0% said 'Yes' and 48.0% said 'No.' The fact that 'Yes' slightly outweighed 'No' suggests that many parents experience their child's declining enthusiasm for schoolwork.
■ 'Preparing Rewards' was the Most Frequent Method at 30.8%
We then asked those who answered 'Yes' what kind of approaches they had taken to boost motivation. The most common was 'Preparing rewards' at 30.8%. This was followed by 'Encouragement/Support' at 23.1% and 'Studying together' at 19.2%.
Reasons for these choices include:
- 'Rewards help children work harder, just like adults.' (40s, Female)
- 'Motivation is best maintained with tangible items.' (40s, Male)
- 'I want to increase motivation because forcing them is meaningless.' (40s, Male)
- 'Studying together makes it more fun for the child.' (30s, Female)
While external incentives are prominent, some parents respect the child's will, noting that 'force is meaningless.' There is no single correct answer, as the best method depends on the parent-child relationship and the child's personality.
■ 'Not Understanding Content' and 'Digital Distractions' Tie for Top Cause at 21.2%
Finally, we asked about the main causes of poor motivation. Both 'Not understanding the study content' and 'Other interests like games/smartphones' tied for the top spot at 21.2%. These were followed by 'Studying is boring' and 'Lack of study habits' at 19.2% each. Whether it's the inability to comprehend lessons or the lure of nearby temptations, these factors significantly hinder a child's drive to learn.
You see your child sitting at their desk, but before you know it, they are touching their smartphone. Have you ever let out a sigh at such a sight? A child's motivation to study is a common cause of concern for many households.
In collaboration with Last Teacher, a private tutoring service, we conducted a survey on 'children's study motivation issues' among 100 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they have children of high school age or younger.
[Survey Overview]
- Method: Internet survey
- Period: April 9, 2026 – April 14, 2026
- Target: Parents with children of high school age or younger
- Valid Responses: 100
■ 52.0% of Parents Feel Their Child Has Lost Motivation for Studying
First, we asked if they had ever felt their child was losing motivation for studying. The results were nearly split: 52.0% said 'Yes' and 48.0% said 'No.' The fact that 'Yes' slightly outweighed 'No' suggests that many parents experience their child's declining enthusiasm for schoolwork.
■ 'Preparing Rewards' was the Most Frequent Method at 30.8%
We then asked those who answered 'Yes' what kind of approaches they had taken to boost motivation. The most common was 'Preparing rewards' at 30.8%. This was followed by 'Encouragement/Support' at 23.1% and 'Studying together' at 19.2%.
Reasons for these choices include:
- 'Rewards help children work harder, just like adults.' (40s, Female)
- 'Motivation is best maintained with tangible items.' (40s, Male)
- 'I want to increase motivation because forcing them is meaningless.' (40s, Male)
- 'Studying together makes it more fun for the child.' (30s, Female)
While external incentives are prominent, some parents respect the child's will, noting that 'force is meaningless.' There is no single correct answer, as the best method depends on the parent-child relationship and the child's personality.
■ 'Not Understanding Content' and 'Digital Distractions' Tie for Top Cause at 21.2%
Finally, we asked about the main causes of poor motivation. Both 'Not understanding the study content' and 'Other interests like games/smartphones' tied for the top spot at 21.2%. These were followed by 'Studying is boring' and 'Lack of study habits' at 19.2% each. Whether it's the inability to comprehend lessons or the lure of nearby temptations, these factors significantly hinder a child's drive to learn.