TODAY -

How to make a child turn to his study

Dr RK Lenin Singh *

Painting Competition at Earth Day :: 22 April 2008
Painting Competition at Earth Day on 22 April 2008 :: Pix - Jinendra Maibam



The responsibility and duty which parents consider as foremost and the most important is to give proper education to their children and to make them successful persons. As there are differences in complexion and appearance from a child to a child, no child is similar to another. Some children being conscious of their studies, without any command or reminding, do their routine works, study their lessons with attention, maintain regularity in work and do well in the examinations.

But, most children need to be reminded of and induced to do their works; and some, in spite of close watch and scolding, do not read their lessons attentively, watch T.V. till late at night, won't rise early in the morning, don't care about their lessons, don't bother about obtaining high marks in the examination; in doing talks and discussions they assume the wiser man and they are hard to convince or mellow down.

Some children, incompatible with their age waste away a lot of their time in the mobile phone, some while away their time in amorous talks in public without any shame and to the eye-shore of the spectators, take their liberty in loafing and the parents face a difficult and awkward situation in trying to conceal the ignoble and immoral conducts and deeds of their children from the knowledge of their neighbours.

There is no exact and universal formula which can make a child to be studious or to take greater interest in his books, but there are some plans or means applicable in such situations:

1. To know the talent of the child:

Children of the same parents, even, are different in appearance, bearings and skills. All the children, say 50 or 100 in a class are not similar in any respect. Some are rank holders; there are some mediocre, and some cannot get the pass marks even. Again, some children are weak in academic activities but good at games and sports, music, dance, painting and other literary activities beyond their curriculum. Parents need to know their child's aptitude. Most children take keen interest in the subject or work which they like and love, and they are not tedious of doing it. So, parents need to encourage and support their child in that regard.

The talents and abilities of children are not alike. When a child having the feeble ability of securing not more than 50-60 marks in the examination in spite of his maximum effort, is pressurized by his parents to become the topper and threatened with chastisement if the result is otherwise, it will not only overawe the child with an unbearable load, but may cause the child to be afflicted with mental ailments also. It will be a wise and proper policy if the child is allowed to show himself off and achieve according to his ability. What is required is appropriate care and support from the parents and guardians.

2. Not to make comparison with another:

Parents, without much thinking, often say, "Your elder brother is good, your friend can get high marks in the examination and emulate the good examples of your elder sister." Such words may despond him create inferiority complex and lead him to take himself as worthless. Instead, it is good to know the reality of the individual differences of children, the merit in him (and encourage him for it) and to make good the deficiency or weakness by a joint effort of their parents and the child, and in so doing the self confidence of the child is enhanced.

If a comparison is drawn in respect of the child's previous performance (say, the marks obtained) and the present one, it is healthy and purposeful. In doing such a comparison, no anxiety is created in the child and, on the other hand, it heightens the desire to work more with attention.

3. All efforts are to benefit the child:

To apply the daily lessons which are learnt by the child in practice, according to the age level of the child, and to make them know their relevance to real life, are beneficial to him. It is very good if the parents can give awareness to the child of the advantages and good prospects which will be ensured by his present studies and that his present hard labour will make him an excelsior and it is as if the saving of wealth for future happiness.

If the parents can convince their child that he is not reading his lessons for fear of his parents or teachers, on the other hand, he is reading for acquisition of his real wealth i.e. knowledge, it will give wonderful inspiration, encouragement and strength to the child.

4. To teach to build a hope and fix a goal:

It is good to make the child to envision clearly as to his future status and his desired work, to show him the callings or activities which will be suitable to him, to teach him the dignity of labour and to work on anything with sincerity, courage and steadfastness. He must be taught to endeavour to reap the fruit of any work he may undertake.

He should be let to know that though any work or activity is good in itself, he must not take up any which is not compatible with or beyond his ability, for, thinking about an unattainable goal is futile in most cases. Most children cannot say their goals when asked. So, parents should try to enable their child to see his goal clearly by open discussion, showing the different avenues in life and exposing them to achievers.

5. To praise a child when he deserves it:

Most of us are exceedingly happy when our children do a good work or succeed in an attempt, we always keep it unexpressed. But, in the event of error or failure, we shout at them, rebuke then and cut a sorry figure before our neighbours. Punishment only cannot correct a wrong. Correction in time is very good. We should think and find out means for correction. Giving appreciation or recognition or rewards at right moments gives them impetus to their harder labour.

The value or size of the reward does not matter; what is required is praising them before others, buying a thing after their hearts, taking them out for a stroll and most importantly, showing your cheerful faces at the time of their successful moment. Please test the efficacy of it once.

6. Not to lose heart at failures:

Life is a ceaseless journey onwards � there will be moments of failure and success. We should not be despondent when we meet with a failure; though we stumble and fall we have to rise and go on. Mistakes and failures should be our teacher and we should learn from them a lot of things. In the lives of the people who were successful in their lives, we can see them to have experienced many impediments and failures. In a class of one hundred students, only three students will hold the first three top position, but the rest of the students should not be disappointed and on the other hand, they should put their utmost efforts in their studies.

The marks obtained in examinations only do not determine the success or the failure in life. What is required is the ability to adapt successfully to the place and the time you are put in.

7. Importance of rest:

What is important is not the amount of time you took in reading, but the number of lessons you have read and learnt. Most of the present day children do not find enough time for play and rest/leisure. Two private tuitions in the morning and in the afternoon each, to school during the daytime, to negotiate with the big volume of daily lessons � they cannot find anytime to spare. When the physical body is tired, the mind becomes dull and inactive. We need to invigorate and refresh our body and mind, by eating good food and taking a good sleep of about 6 to 7 hours a day. Otherwise, if a student goes on reading for long hours without stop, his ability to learn the lesson will decrease, the power of memory and retention will be lessened and the things he has read will be jumbled up.

Prank and play is the birth right of a child. To deny and deprive him of the joyful period of life which will never return, is tantamount to committing a sin. And, when there is paucity of time for play, most children do not know what play is like. When mentioned about play, they take it as playing with the mobile phone or doing surfing in the internet. These plays neither refresh the tired body nor are salubrious. Therefore, it is good and advisable to give children some time at least for play and rest.

Over and above this, activities like outings in garden and parks, enjoying dance and music, visit to relatives and friends, participating in the social functions of the neighbours etc. may boost the child's appetite for reading after he returns home. Over confinement is bad, for in the situation the child may behave like an ox which goes release from confinement, when he is free from the watchful eyes of the parents.

Again parents should not be slack in observing and identifying the friends and acquaintances of their child all the time.

8. Good health:

In spite of the child's desire for serious reading, if he has some ailments he readily susceptible to fatigue and cannot concentrate on his book. The cause of the child's inattention to his study may be from the lack of balanced diet (some people through their ignorance of the idea of balanced diet, in spite of their affordability do not take it; and some children for their discrimination of food may prefer tasty snacks to the main food resulting in unbalanced diet), anaemia, impairment of eye sight, learning disability, mental retardation, depression, substance abuse, inability to manage the impact of love, mal-adjustment to changes (physical and mental) associated with adolescent and other illnesses.

It is very much imperative for the parents to find out the cause and give the remedy.

9. Repugnance to the method of teaching:

The cause of the child's indifference to their lessons/books may be from his repugnance to the method of teaching/instruction of his teachers in his school. Some teachers, instead of finding out the child's talent and aptitude and patronizing the taught, act on their own ideas and try to push the pupil along their whim and caprices, and they are never reward minded but always inclined on awarding punishments. In such eventuality, the parents should take the help of another teacher and try to make up the weakness of their child.

10. To treat the child as a friend:

Parents should enable their children to express their mind freely without hesitation, restraint and fear. In most families we often find their children to be afraid of speaking to their parents, to be incommunicable with their parents, to have different opinions, to have the feeling of estrangement and to think their parents as real strangers. Consequent upon the aforesaid mindset, the parents also think their children as arrogant, flippant and obstinate.

At the same time they also think their parents only scold them, are blind to their desires and wants. Children especially in their adolescence think in that way all the more. It will be very wise and good if the parents can hold talks and discussions with their child, short of anger and grudges, to identify their differences, dissatisfaction and point of views as well as to find out the reasons of his undutifulness to his study, inability to go abreast of his lessons, other weaknesses etc. and make up the wrongs.

Books and study alone do not constitute the life of a child. He should, as of necessity, play and visit his friends, but, most importantly he must not fail to accumulate his real wealth i.e. knowledge by carefully reading his lessons. What the parents like are their child to be willing and attentive in study which is not induced fear or other coercive elements, the child's awareness of his benefits from the study, and his study with a goal of his life. To achieve this, parents need deep pondering, self restraint, calmness, patience and deal their child with full knowledge of his nature.




* Dr RK Lenin Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on April 15, 2012.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.


LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • SPONSORED ADS