Many children find it difficult to stay focused. However, as your child enters school, the ability to concentrate will become very important. It will also become a crucial skill throughout his life. If you want to help your child develop the ability to focus, then start with Step 1.
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Part 1 of 3: Developing Children's Concentration Ability
Step 1. Start early
You can start helping your child develop concentration skills before he starts elementary school. Preschoolers can be persuaded to look at the book a little longer or persuade them to finish coloring the pictures. Praise children when they can focus well or complete a task without being distracted.
Step 2. Read aloud
Reading aloud has many advantages for children, namely it can teach listening and concentration skills. Choose books that are appropriate for your child's age and developmental level. Find a story that will catch your child's attention – usually one that is entertaining, exciting or interesting (rather than choosing the basic ABC book).
Step 3. Play games that build your ability to concentrate
Block games, puzzles, board games and memory games can help children develop the ability to focus, pay attention and complete a task. These activities are fun, so they won't feel like work for the kids.
Step 4. Reduce screen time
When children spend too much time in front of the television, computers and video games, it can be difficult to concentrate – as their brains become accustomed to such forms of entertainment (which often take the form of passive entertainment) and try to focus without engaging graphics and shining light.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen time for children under the age of two and limiting it to no more than one or two hours per day (ideally higher quality content) for each child and teenager
Part 2 of 3: Helping Kids to Focus at Home
Step 1. Create a study room
Your child should have a dedicated study space for homework and study. A desk in the room can be used as a study room, but you can also create a study corner in another room. Whichever location you choose, keep the room quiet, peaceful and free from any possible distractions.
- You can allow the child to decorate the room to make it more acceptable.
- Put all the necessary equipment for homework in the room or at least near the room. Every time your child has to wake up to pick up a pencil, paper or ruler, he or she can get distracted and lose focus.
Step 2. Develop habits
Homework and study should be done regularly. When you have set a schedule to do homework and get used to doing it at a predetermined time, then your child is less likely to complain or refuse.
- Every child and every schedule is different, but ideally you can give your child a little time to rest before doing homework. Say if he comes home from school at 3:30, then wait until 4:30 to start doing homework. This can give your child a chance to eat a snack, share the day's events or relieve excess energy.
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At the very least, allow your child to have a snack and a drink of water before starting to do his homework. If not, then hunger and thirst can bother your child.
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Step 3. Set realistic goals
If your child is capable enough to have a lot of homework, then it is very important to break this work into manageable parts and make an estimate of the time to complete it. Bigger work must be done gradually before time expires. Children are usually easily overwhelmed when they see a mountain of work. Therefore, let your child set small goals and do one thing at a time.
Step 4. Rest
If your child has a pile of homework, then rest is important. After your child has completed a certain task or job for an entire hour (or even twenty minutes without a break, for younger children), then suggest taking a break. Offer a piece of fruit and a few minutes of chat before returning to homework.
Step 5. Eliminate distractions
You can't keep a child focused with the television on and the cell phone in his pocket. Free her study time from electronics (unless she needs a computer to do her homework), and ask siblings and other people in the house to let her concentrate.
Step 6. Pay attention to your own child's needs
There is no ideal rule in terms of regulating the ability to focus and concentrate on doing homework. Some children work better while listening to music (classical music can help better, as music with lyrics can usually be distracting); some other children need solitude. Some children like to talk while they work; others prefer to work alone. Let your child do what works best for him.
Part 3 of 3: Helping Children to Focus in School
Step 1. Encourage children to participate actively
If you want to help your child in a school context, the best way to do that is to teach your child to participate. Frequently ask. When children are involved, they tend to be more focused and attentive.
Step 2. Speak clearly
Children tend to focus more if you speak clearly and slowly (but not too slowly!) and avoid using unfamiliar words or vocabulary that is too difficult for their level. Everyone tries to pay attention when dealing with something difficult to understand, and so do children.
Step 3. Raise your voice in a controlled way
If the kids stop paying attention and start daydreaming, then you can raise your voice to get their attention back. However, you don't have to scream in front of children and you don't have to overdo it – the kids won't notice you.
Step 4. Clap your hands
For young children, it can help them attract attention back in a non-verbal way. Clapping works well, as can snapping your fingers or ringing a bell.
Tips
- Learning to focus is important, but try to do it in a relaxed way and not overdo it. Anger, frustration or impatience will not help your child to focus.
- Remember that exercise and movement are very important for children, especially at a young age. Children who do sports, walk or bike to school, and/or play actively in other forms of activity tend to focus more on school hours and homework.
- Some studies suggest that meditation can improve concentration skills, even for children. Basic breathing techniques and meditation can be practiced at school or at home and they can work for some children.
