My Child Learns Soroban But Won't Practice – Here's What Worked
"Mom, can I skip Soroban today?" My child asks constantly. Learning Soroban needs consistent practice, but my kid is resistant. Here's how I solved it.
"Mom, can I skip Soroban today?" – My daughter asks constantly. At first I got frustrated. "You've only been learning for a few days and already want to quit?" But then I understood: she likes Soroban, just not daily practice. This is a common problem – and I found ways to solve it.
What's the Real Problem?
Initially I thought: she's lazy. But observing closely, I realized:
- •She still likes Soroban – still shows off to friends, still happy when leveling up
- •She doesn't like REPETITION – same type of problems daily makes her bored
- •She doesn't like BEING FORCED – "Time to study" feels like punishment
- •She's tired after school – any extra task feels heavy
This isn't her fault. Children's brains are designed to prefer novelty over monotonous repetition.
If your child also begs to skip, wants to quit, or rushes through carelessly – you're not alone. Most kids go through this phase.
Why Does Soroban Need Consistent Practice?
Before finding solutions, I needed to understand why we can't just let her skip freely:
- •Soroban is a physical skill: Like riding a bike, fingers need repetition to remember
- •Skip 1 day = set back 2 days: The brain forgets faster than we think
- •Cramming doesn't work: 30 min x 2 days ≠ 10 min x 6 days
- •Habit matters more than motivation: Motivation comes and goes, habits are sustainable
So I needed to help her practice consistently without feeling forced.
7 Methods I Tried (5 That Worked)
Method 1: Shorten the Time ✅
I reduced from 30 minutes to 10-15 minutes. She accepts this more easily. "Just 10 minutes" sounds lighter than "half an hour."
Key insight: 10 min x 6 days is more effective than 30 min x 2 days.
Method 2: Create Fixed Habits ✅
I chose a specific time: after dinner, before TV. Fixed. No changes.
After 2 weeks, her brain automatically knows: finish eating → Soroban → TV. No reminders needed, no arguing.
Method 3: Give Choices ✅
I don't say "You must do 10 problems." I ask: "Do you want to do 5 problems or 8 today?"
She feels in control. She chooses = she commits. Resistance dropped significantly.
Method 4: Short-term Rewards ❌ (Didn't Work Long-term)
I used to say: "Finish studying, Mom gives you candy." It worked at first. But then she asked: "No candy, no study."
Material rewards create wrong expectations. I dropped this method.
Method 5: Study Together ✅
I sit beside her while she practices. I don't necessarily teach anything, just be there. Sometimes I try Soroban problems too.
She sees I care. She's not alone. Surprisingly effective.
Method 6: Track Progress Visibly ✅
I set up a tracking board: each day she completes practice, she puts a sticker. 7 stickers = 1 reward (trip to the park, choose dinner...).
She sees her own progress. Persistence gets recognized. Different from material rewards – this acknowledges effort.
Method 7: Explain the Real Reason ❌ (Didn't Work with Young Kids)
I used to explain: "You need to study for brain development, to be good at math later..." She listened, still wanted to skip.
Young children don't understand "long-term benefits." Their brains haven't developed enough for long-term thinking. This method failed.
Tip: Combine multiple methods. I use methods 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 6 together. No single method is strong enough alone, but combined they're effective.
How the Sorokid App Helps
Switching from paper worksheets to the Sorokid app was a turning point. Why?
- •Games and points: She feels like she's playing, not studying
- •Levels increase gradually: She sees clear progress, has goals
- •In-app rewards: Badges, streaks, leaderboards – she wants to achieve them
- •Auto reminders: App reminds her, I don't have to be the "bad guy"
- •Varied problems: Not identical repetition, less boring
Since using the app, she opens it herself without reminders. Sometimes she does extra because she wants to level up.
When Should You Let Kids Rest?
I'm not rigid about "must study 7/7 days." There are times to let her rest:
- •Genuinely tired: Sick, stressed from school, sleep-deprived
- •Special events: Birthdays, trips, family gatherings
- •Already practiced enough that week: If 6/7 days done, give 1 day off
- •Strong negative emotions: Sad, angry, anxious – address emotions first
Important: distinguish "genuinely tired" from "being lazy." Look at behavior, not just words.
Results After 3 Months of Persistence
- •Habit formed: She opens the app after dinner automatically, no reminders
- •No more begging to skip: She's used to it, like brushing teeth in the morning
- •Clear progress: From single-digit add/subtract → mental math with 2 digits
- •She's proud: Shows off to friends and grandparents
- •I'm relieved: No more threatening and forcing every night
The Real Victory: When Kids Want to Learn
Forcing kids to study = they study out of fear. Kids wanting to study = they study because they enjoy it.
My goal isn't "she must study every day." The goal is "she wants to study every day." When you achieve that, everything becomes easier.
Don't force too hard. Find ways to make your child want to learn – that's the real victory. Be patient, consistent, and use the right tools.
Sorokid turns practice into play with games, points, and progress tracking. Kids often practice more because they want to level up.
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