How to Help Your Child Find Meaning in What They Learn at School

“Why do I even need to learn this?” — When school feels pointless

If you've ever heard your child sigh over a math worksheet or roll their eyes during homework and mutter, “This is so useless,” you're not alone. Many children between the ages of 6 and 12 struggle not just with the what of learning, but the why. And when the ‘why’ isn’t clear, motivation naturally drops — sometimes fast.

You’ve probably been there yourself: juggling dinner, laundry, and the responsibility of homework help, only to be met with resistance or apathy. It's exhausting. But more than that, it’s worrying. Because when your child starts to feel like school is meaningless, the road ahead becomes steeper — for both of you.

The missing thread: Making learning feel useful and alive

Children are naturally curious — but not necessarily about verb conjugations or multiplication tables. They want stories, relevance, connection. Unfortunately, the way many school lessons are presented can feel disconnected from their world.

That disconnect is the root of the question: “What’s the point?” So, how can we help our kids reconnect with the point — and feel that what they’re learning actually has value?

Focus on their world—not yours

We often explain the importance of school through the lens of adult life: “You need to do well to get a good job.” But to a 9-year-old, a “job” is a distant and abstract concept. Instead, try anchoring learning in their immediate universe.

If your child loves animals, link that science lesson on habitats to facts about their favorite sea creature. If they’re interested in video games, use examples from their favorite one to explain a math concept. The key is to show that learning isn’t something that happens solely in textbooks — it’s happening all around them.

For example, one parent shared how their daughter was dreading a geography unit on volcanoes. But when she became the protagonist in an audio story navigating an erupting island — with her own name in the script — she suddenly cared. Suddenly, volcanic activity wasn’t random data; it was life-or-death.

That’s the power of reframing. Some families are using tools like the Skuli App, which can turn lessons into personalized audio adventures where your child becomes the hero. When your child hears their own name in a story that brings the lesson to life, the material sticks — because it feels like theirs.

Encourage questions—and don’t rush to answer them

Parents often feel pressured to have all the answers. But sometimes, asking more questions is the better route.

When your child says “Why do I have to learn this?” try responding with, “That’s a great question. Why do you think they’re teaching it?” Or flip the script: “Can you think of a real-life moment where that would be useful?”

This isn't just about satisfying curiosity — it’s about building metacognition (thinking about thinking), a skill that supports deeper learning. And when children are invited into the meaning-making process, it’s far more powerful than meaning imposed from the outside.

Use voice and audio to shift the vibe (and the setting)

Many children who seem disinterested in written homework engage easily with information through sound. Imagine reviewing history facts while driving to soccer practice, or turning vocabulary into a funny audio story they can listen to during snack time.

Research shows that audio learning can support retention, especially in students who are overwhelmed by visual text. If your child responds better to voice than print, consider creating little habits around listening. (Here’s a deeper dive into how podcasts and audio can support learning.)

Make room for family reflection, not interrogation

Instead of the usual “How was school?” try more specific or imaginative prompts: “Did you learn anything today that made you think, ‘Whoa, that’s cool’?” Or “If your math lesson was a video game level, what would be the boss at the end?”

By bringing creativity into these conversations, you transform school talk from something to avoid into something to enjoy. This shift is crucial — and we explore how to make it sustainably in this related article on talking about school without stress.

Repetition doesn’t have to be boring — especially with tech

Let’s be honest: reviewing material after school can feel like groundhog day. But what if your child could take a photo of their lesson and instantly turn it into a fun, customized quiz? That’s exactly what some parents are doing with tech tools like educational apps designed to personalize review.

The key idea is this: learning review becomes a game, not a lecture. Your child engages actively — not just passively re-reading notes. And because the quiz is based on their actual lesson, they feel more connected to it.

Co-create meaning, don’t just deliver it

Ultimately, helping your child find meaning in what they’re learning isn’t about having all the right answers. It’s about walking alongside them, with curiosity and empathy, asking: How does this matter to you?

This is a process. Some days will go more smoothly than others. On tough days, fall back on storytelling, humor, audio, movement — whatever helps reroute stress into engagement. And yes, even not-studying days can contain valuable reflection. (You can still strengthen connection and purpose through low-pressure moments like these.)

You’re not just helping your child learn better — you’re helping them believe that learning matters, and that they are capable of making it meaningful. And that’s a lesson that will last far beyond this school year.