A Question Every Child Asks
“Why do I have to study?”
This is the classic question almost every child asks at some point. When I had just started my career as a tutor in my twenties, I used to wonder how best to answer it. What should I say to help them understand?
On a side note, there’s a Japanese TV drama called The Queen’s Classroom (2005). In one scene, a student challenges the teacher by asking this very question: “Why do we have to study?” The teacher’s response left a lasting impression on me when I was a child. I’ve included the original quote and its English translation at the bottom of this post—please take a moment to read it.
What the Question Reveals
When a child asks, “Why do I have to study?”—what they’re really saying is, “Studying isn’t fun. It’s painful.”
And honestly, who can blame them? School often revolves around tests, grades, and memorization. It’s no wonder that many kids feel pressure and frustration.
But deep down, I believe that learning is something we do to live better, fuller lives. That’s a perspective I’ve gained through adulthood and life experience—but it’s hard for a child to grasp that. It’s why explaining the importance of studying to a child can be so difficult.
The Only Solution: Study Together
Through years of working as a tutor, I’ve noticed something consistent: when parents study, their children naturally study too—without resistance. (Unfortunately, not many parents do.)
Behind the question “Why do I have to study?” there often lies a hidden thought:
“Why do I have to study when you don’t?”
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
If a parent comes home from work, flops on the couch, and plays smartphone games while telling their child, “Go study,” it’s no surprise the child resists. Of course, downtime is important—but spending hours on social media while ignoring tasks like homework sets a poor example.
Studying should not be something we expect only children to do. Adults need to learn too. Whether it’s to improve work skills or explore a side hustle, there are always reasons for adults to study. In a world that’s constantly changing, resting on our past achievements without learning something new is risky.
Everyone Naturally Chooses the Easy Path
Let’s face it—humans tend to drift toward what’s easy. This applies to both adults and children. Left alone, most kids will choose entertainment—games, videos, or social media—over study. Adults know the value of self-management from experience, which is why they need to guide their kids.
If you truly want your child to grow into someone who studies seriously, the best method is simply to sit down beside them and say, “Let’s study together.” Even if it’s just for a short time, the act of learning side by side sends a powerful message.
It shows them:
“Even grown-ups need to study.”
And even if you’re busy juggling many responsibilities as a parent, taking just a little time to learn with your child will mean a lot to them. What really matters is that your child feels you’re genuinely supporting their learning. That sense of encouragement can spark real motivation.
A Note of Caution
There is one important point to consider. If your child is already in high school and struggling academically, studying together may no longer be enough. At that stage, the gaps in understanding may be so large that studying simply feels hopeless for them. In such cases, the joy of learning is already buried under a mountain of confusion.
That’s why this “study together” approach is especially effective the younger the child is.
Leading by Example
For the record, I myself am a tutor—and I make sure to study every single day. I believe no student wants to hear “Go study” from someone who doesn’t study themselves.
And the knowledge I gain? I try to give it back to my students as much as I can. Knowledge isn’t meant to be hoarded. It’s meant to be shared.
I live in a world of “tests,” “scores,” and “study,” but the more I learn, the more I see the world differently. While excessive competition—like exam wars—can be harmful, I believe studying is essential for building a rich, well-rounded character.
We need to break away from the idea that “studying is something kids do at school.”
When we, as adults, study and show our kids what it means to learn, that becomes the most powerful form of education.
Quote from The Queen’s Classroom
(Teacher’s reply to the question “Why do we have to study?”)
Wake up already. You still don’t get it?
Studying isn’t something you have to do.
It’s something you want to do.You’ll soon come across many things you don’t understand.
Things that are beautiful, fun, or mysterious.
And when you do, you’ll want to learn more. That’s what it means to be human.A person without curiosity or a desire to learn isn’t human. They’re worse than a monkey.
If you don’t try to understand the world you live in, how can you do anything meaningful?No matter how much you study, there will always be things you don’t understand.
Some adults act like they know everything, but that’s a lie.You can go to a great school or get a great job, but you can always keep learning if you want to.
The moment you lose your curiosity, you’re already dead inside.Studying isn’t about passing exams.
It’s about becoming a truly admirable adult.
The Queen’s Classroom – Official Japanese Website
いい加減目覚めなさい。まだそんなことも分からないの？
勉強は、しなきゃいけないものじゃありません。
したいと思うものです。
これからあなたたちは、知らないものや、理解できないものにたくさん出会います。美しいなとか、楽しいなとか、不思議だなと思うものにたくさん出会います。
そのとき、もっともっとそのことを知りたい、勉強したいと自然に思うから人間なんです。
好奇心や、探究心の無い人間は、人間じゃありません。サル以下です。
自分たちの生きているこの世界のことを知ろうとしなくて、何ができるというんですか。
いくら勉強したって、生きている限り、分からないことはいっぱいあります。
世の中には、何でも知ったような顔をした大人がいますが、あんなもの嘘っぱちです。
いい大学に入ろうが、いい会社に入ろうが、いくつになっても勉強しようと思えばいくらでもできるんです。
好奇心を失った瞬間、人間は死んだも同然です。
勉強は、受験のためにするのではありません。立派な大人になるためにするんです。
女王の教室 第１０話より