What Should I Do When My Child Says They Don’t Like Learning

When Your Child Says, “I Don’t Like Learning”

You’re clearing the dinner table when your child, frustrated and distant, mutters those words: “I don’t like learning.” Maybe it’s math, maybe a book report, maybe school in general—but whatever the subject, those five words hit you hard. You’re doing everything you can, juggling work, household responsibilities, and parenting, yet your child seems to be closing a door you desperately want open.

If this is you, take a deep breath. You’re not failing. You’re not alone. Many kids between 6 and 12 go through a phase where learning feels frustrating, boring, or overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean they’re destined to stay stuck there. What matters most is how we respond—as parents, caregivers, and people who love them unconditionally.

Behind the Phrase: Understanding What They’re Really Saying

“I don’t like learning” is often shorthand for something deeper: “I don’t feel good at this,” or “I don’t see the point,” or even, “This makes me feel dumb.” Sometimes it’s said after a tough spelling test, or a reading assignment that felt like a chore, or a math worksheet full of red Xs. Other times, it's more about emotional exhaustion than academics.

Start by listening. Sit beside them, eye level, and gently ask: “What part didn’t you like?” or “Was there something today that made learning hard?” You might be surprised—sometimes, it’s not the lesson itself, but the pressure to be perfect, a comment from a classmate, or even a feeling of loneliness in the classroom.

Rediscovering the Joy of Learning, Gently

Learning doesn’t have to look like sitting at a desk. It doesn’t have to involve textbooks or test prep. In fact, for many kids—especially those already on edge—traditional learning environments can sap their confidence. Instead of pushing more work, we sometimes need to pull back and reshape the way learning happens at home.

One parent I spoke to recently shared that their 8-year-old son “hated learning” until they started cooking together. Measuring ingredients sparked his interest in fractions. Writing a recipe list helped with spelling and sequencing. Learning became stealthy—woven into something meaningful and fun. That's the secret: learning disguised as play, collaboration, or storytelling.

If your child resists structured schoolwork, check out ideas on making learning less boring. You might find conversation starters, games, or even science experiments that tap into your child's natural curiosity. When kids feel like participants rather than passive recipients, their learning mindset begins to shift.

Start With Their Interests

Your child may not like schoolwork, but do they love animals? Video games? Designing characters or building worlds in Minecraft? Those are clues. These are their entry points. Use them.

Let’s say your child is obsessed with space. Borrow books or audiobooks about the planets. Watch documentaries together. Build a solar system out of clay or Lego. Ask them to imagine life on Mars and write a story. It’s learning—just not in its usual wrapper.

And when your child learns best by listening, especially on the go, try converting written lessons into audio formats. Some apps (like Skuli) even let you turn a paragraph of text into a custom audio adventure that features your child as the hero, using their first name. It’s not just cute—it makes the material feel like it belongs to them.

For kids with difficulties sitting still or focusing on worksheets, this shift can change the entire dynamic of your learning routine.

Redefining Success: Learning Isn’t a Race

One of the most damaging beliefs children adopt is that being "smart" means being fast. But many of the brightest thinkers take their time, ask daring questions, and think in ways that don’t always fit inside standardized tests or classroom routines.

If your child is struggling academically and starting to disengage emotionally, you’re likely wrestling with real concerns—frustration, worry about falling behind, or pressure from the school community. But take a look at what to do when your child hates schoolwork; you’ll find that building confidence sometimes matters more than boosting grades.

Learning to tie their shoes, fix a sandwich, care for a pet, or plant seeds in the garden—they’re all kinds of learning. Zoom out. Show your child the many ways in which they’re growing. You may be the only one telling them these moments count. And they do.

Sometimes It’s Just Burnout

If your child once enjoyed learning and now says they don’t, this might be a sign of burnout. Has their schedule become too crowded? Are they being compared to siblings or classmates? A gentle slowdown could help. Give them permission to play freely again—without correction, goals, or structure.

Once your child feels less pressure, you can slowly reintroduce light study routines. You might want to read about how to motivate your child to review lessons in a way that’s low-pressure and child-led. Even transforming a photo of a lesson into a personalized quiz (some tools make this easy) can feel like a game instead of work.

Your Role Matters (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

So what should you do when your child says they don’t like learning? Listen deeply. Move with compassion, not panic. Step into their world before pulling them into yours. Try one small invitation. And when that works? Build on it. Slowly.

They might not love multiplication tables just yet. But if they love drawing dragons, maybe you help them design a dragon-themed math quest together. If they fight back against reading, maybe you let them listen to stories in the car or in bed—just until they’re ready to return to books on their own.

And the moment you see a spark—however small—nurture it like a flame. That spark will grow. And so will they.

If you're still looking for direction, try exploring how to prepare for tests in a less stressful way or how to simplify complex topics at home.

Parenting a struggling learner isn’t easy. But your quiet patience, your belief in them, your willingness to try again tomorrow—it all matters more than you know.