Many children have difficulty staying focused. However, when your child starts going to school, the ability to concentrate will become a very important element and will certainly remain a fundamental skill for the rest of his life. If you want to help your child develop their ability to concentrate, go to Step 1.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Developing a Child's Concentration Skills
Step 1. Get started early
You can start helping a child develop their ability to concentrate long before elementary school starts. Children who have just learned to walk and those of preschool age can be stimulated to look at a book for a little longer or finish coloring a drawing. Praise young children when they concentrate well or complete a task without distraction.
Step 2. Read aloud
Reading aloud to young children offers many advantages, including teaching listening and the ability to concentrate. Choose books that are appropriate for the child's age and level of development and try to find stories that encourage children to pay attention; these are generally stories to entertain, excite or fascinate them (instead of basic books on ABC).
Step 3. Play games that develop concentration skills
Cubes, puzzles, board games, and memory games help children develop the ability to focus, pay attention and complete a task. And these activities are fun, so they don't look like a job to children.
Step 4. Minimize the time children spend in front of the screen
When young children spend too much time in front of television, computers and video games they often develop difficulty concentrating, partly because their brains get used to this particular form of entertainment (which is often passive entertainment) and they struggle to concentrate. without the mesmerizing graphics and flashing lights.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of two avoid spending time in front of the screen altogether and limit it to one or two hours a day (preferably with high quality content) for all children and adolescents
Part 2 of 3: Helping Your Child Focus at Home
Step 1. Set up a homework station
Your child should have a dedicated space for homework and study. A desk in his room could be ideal, but you can also organize a corner used as a study in another room. Whichever place you choose, make sure it is quiet, peaceful and free of any distractions.
- You can let your child decorate this space to make it more welcoming.
- Try to keep all the tools you usually need for homework on or near your desk. Whenever your child has to get up to retrieve a pencil or paper or ruler, they may become distracted and lose focus.
Step 2. Develop a routine
Homework and study should take place at certain times. Once you have established a schedule for homework and stick to this routine for some time, your child is less likely to complain or resist.
- Each child and each schedule is different, but ideally you should give your child some time to relax before homework. If he comes home from school, say 3:30 pm, wait until 4:30 pm for him to start his homework. In this way, your child will have the opportunity to have a snack, tell you about his day and get rid of excess energy.
- Last but not least, make sure your child has a snack and drinks some water before starting homework, otherwise hunger and thirst will be a distraction.
Step 3. Set realistic goals
If your child is becoming mature enough to take home a lot of homework, it becomes very important to break down the work into manageable chunks and set a time frame for completion. Larger projects should be worked on regularly well in advance of the deadline. Children are easily overwhelmed when faced with what appears to be a mountain of work; then stimulate your son or daughter to set small goals to achieve one step at a time.
Step 4. Create breaks
If your child has a lot of homework to do, breaks are key. After your child has completed a particular job or task that has kept them busy continuously for an hour (or even twenty minutes straight in the case of a younger child), advise them to take a little break. Offer him some fruit and a few minutes to make conversation before he gets back to work.
Step 5. Eliminate distractions
You cannot expect your child to concentrate with the television on and the cell phone in his pocket. Make homework time free of electronic devices (unless you need a computer to do homework) and expect his siblings or anyone else in the house to allow your child to focus.
Step 6. Keep your child's individual needs in mind
There is no universal policy for developing concentration and attention to tasks. Some children work better with music (classical music is better because words can often be a distraction); others prefer silence. Some children like to talk to you while they work; others prefer to be alone. Let your child do the best thing for him.
Part 3 of 3: Helping Children Focus in School
Step 1. Aim for active participation
If you work with children within the school environment, you will achieve the best results by teaching them to participate. Ask questions often. When children are involved, they are more likely to be focused and alert.
Step 2. Speak clearly
Children are more likely to stay focused if you speak clearly and slowly (but not too slowly!) And avoid using foreign words or a vocabulary that is too sophisticated for their level of education. Everyone has a hard time paying attention when faced with something substantially incomprehensible, and children are no exception.
Step 3. Raise your voice in a controlled manner
If children stop paying attention or wander with their minds, it's okay to raise your voice to get their attention. However, you will not have to scream at them and you will not have to abuse this technique; children will simply stop listening to you.
Step 4. Clap your hands
For small children it may be helpful to use a non-verbal method to get their attention. Clapping works, as does snapping your fingers or ringing a bell.
Advice
- Learning to focus is important, but try to keep a relaxed and moderate attitude about it. It won't help getting angry, frustrated, or impatient with the baby.
- Remember that exercise and movement are absolutely essential for children, especially when they are young. Children who play sports, walk or cycle to school and / or otherwise play actively are more likely to be focused in class and when doing homework.
- Some research indicates that meditation can improve the ability to concentrate, even for children. Some basic meditation and breathing techniques can be used at school or at home and may work for some children.
