Marks Vs Meaning
Should We Teach Children to Chase Marks or to Learn with Purpose❓
A good friend of mine, who’s also a father of two, recently asked me a simple but profound question:
“Is it better to advise children to focus on getting good marks, or should we guide them to learn meaningfully, regardless of the marks obtained?”
This question made me pause. It’s one that every parent, teacher, and even student grapples with, though often silently.
Marks Are Not the Whole Story
There’s no denying that marks matter. They open doors—whether it’s to a good college, a scholarship, or even a first job interview. But here’s the catch: when marks become the only goal, children start to view learning as a transaction. They memorize for exams, score well, but often forget just as quickly.
Over time, this habit creates students who know how to “pass” but don’t always know how to “understand.” And in the long run, it is understanding—not grades—that builds confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Purposeful Learning Builds Lifelong Thinkers
On the other hand, when children are encouraged to discover the purpose behind what they’re learning, everything changes. They begin to ask why a concept matters, how it connects to real life, and where it might be useful.
For example, instead of just solving math problems for marks, a child who understands how math explains patterns in nature, finance, or technology sees value in the subject. That sense of purpose fuels curiosity—and curiosity always leads to deeper, more lasting learning.
Interestingly, children who learn this way often end up scoring well too—not because marks were the goal, but because true understanding naturally reflects in exams.
What Can Parents Do Differently?
So, should parents ignore marks altogether? Not at all. Marks are still part of the system we live in. But the trick is to treat them as a by-product, not the main prize.
Instead of asking:
“How many marks did you get?”
We could ask:
“What did you enjoy learning today?”
“What problem did you solve?”
“What new idea surprised you?”
These questions shift the focus from performance to purpose, and over time, children learn to value knowledge for its own sake.
My Takeaway
If I had to answer my friend’s question directly, I’d say this: Encourage children to learn meaningfully and purposefully first. The marks will follow.
Because one day, marks will stop mattering. But the ability to learn with purpose? That will stay with them for life.
At QurioKid, we strive to instill this very sense of purposeful learning in our students, helping them develop curiosity, understanding, and lifelong skills. Discover how we make learning meaningful by booking a free demo session.
Written by Eube Heidi, Co-Founder QurioKid
