There are many reasons why kids may be lazy, and it isn’t always easy to determine the cause. Sometimes it’s just a matter of being lazy in general, while other times there may be specific reasons behind why your child is slothful.

Here are 11 hidden scientific reasons why your child may be lazy.

1. They may be tired.

It’s no secret that kids are often tired after a long day of school and activities. If your child is lazy because they’re tired, they may need more sleep and fewer hours spent playing video games or watching TV.

2. They may be stressed.

Kids who are stressed often struggle to focus and are more prone to being lazy. If your child is exhibiting signs of being stressed, talk to them about what’s bothering them and offer support.

3. They may be bored.

If your child is bored, they may be less likely to want to engage in activities that require energy. This could include doing homework, participating in sports, or playing with friends.

4. They may be unmotivated.

If your child doesn’t seem very interested in doing anything, it may be because they’re not motivated. Lazy kids may be more likely to give up easily if they don’t feel excited or engaged in what they’re doing.

5. They may have ADHD.

ADHD is a disorder that impacts a person’s ability to focus and pay attention. If your child has ADHD, they may be more prone to being lazy because they have a hard time staying on task.

6. They may have a low IQ.

If your child has a low IQ, they may be less likely to be interested in activities that require a lot of intelligence. This could include doing homework, playing video games, or trying new things.

7. They may be a gifted learner, but they don’t want to use their giftedness.

Sometimes kids are gifted in a certain area, but they don’t want to use their gifts. This could include being very intelligent but not wanting to do homework, being very athletic but not wanting to participate in sports, or being very artistic but not wanting to do art.

8. They may have a mental disorder.

There are a number of mental disorders that can lead to laziness. If your child has a mental disorder, they may not be able to focus or pay attention, which can lead to being lazy.

9. They may have a learning disability.

If your child has a learning disability, they may have difficulties with reading, math, or other school-related activities. This could lead to them being lazy.

10. They may have a developmental disorder.

There are a number of developmental disorders that can lead to being lazy. If your child has a developmental disorder, they may not be able to communicate well, understand instructions, or perform tasks that require effort.

11. They may be a late bloomer.

Some kids take a longer time to develop than others. If your child is a late bloomer, they may be more likely to be lazy because they take longer to learn new things and get excited about activities.