September 12, 2022

September 12, 2022

9 Techniques To Improve Your Child's Concentration

Your child's ability to concentrate on tasks dramatically affects their academic performance. Properly focusing on studies or material being taught in the classroom is one of the best ways to absorb and retain the information for test time. If your child lacks concentration, they may struggle to keep up or learn new information because they cannot stay focused long enough to learn what they need to know. 

The good news is that, no matter how unfocused your child can be, there are ways around a lack of concentration. There are many things you can do to keep their focus where it needs to be for them to reach success. If you've been asking yourself "How do I stop my child from getting distracted?", read on to find out. 

What causes a lack of concentration in a child? 
Many things can contribute to a lack of concentration. One main issue revolves around sleep and routine. Without a night of proper sleep, your child will be too exhausted to pay attention in class or at home. Their brain will not have the recovery time needed for them to maintain focus on class activities or lectures.

Other possible causes of a lack of concentration can include: 

  • Eating too much sugar or fat and not enough foods with essential nutrients 
  • Too much screen time, especially before bed when it can hinder their ability to sleep properly 
  • Emotional or personal difficulties at home that occupy their mind
  • Medications or health issues such as iron deficiency 

Some of these issues can be easily fixable at home. Still, medications or medical problems will need to be addressed by your health care provider. 

How can I improve my child's concentration and focus? 
There are many things you can do at home to help improve your child's ability to stay focused on the task at hand. Some activities to enhance attention and concentration in your child include: 

1. Playing Focus Games 
Play is a great way to implement focus and concentration. Children are far more likely to pay attention when doing something they enjoy. If you want to improve focus, you can implement certain activities that feel like games to help them stay on task in a fun and exciting way.

Some types of games that may help improve focus and attention include: 

  • The Memory Game: Using a deck of cards, have your child try to match the numbers by flipping over cards. Eventually, once they have reversed many cards, they will be forced to remember where some cards are to make the matches. 
  • Statue: This game involves your child staying completely still for a set amount of time, or indefinitely! Tell your child to see how long they can remain a statue and watch them put all their concentration into the task. 
  • Tongue Twisters: Tongue twisters require concentration to be said correctly out loud. Pick one your child likes and play the tongue twister game to see how long it takes to get it right. Then speed up how quickly you both say it and watch their focus improve. 

2. Make Sure The Environment is Distraction Free
Distractions are everywhere, and if you want your child to focus, you will have to make sure that the area they’re in allows them to. Remove all phones, tablets, computers, and other reachable distractions. Putting on some ambient music in the background can also allow them to focus without being tempted by other things in their immediate surroundings.  

3. Prioritize A Healthy Diet 
Diet plays a huge role in cognitive function. If you want your child to have better focus and concentration, you must ensure you're giving them the dietary tools to do so. Foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals are the best way to go. 

4. Develop a Routine 
Routines naturally increase focus. When your child has a schedule, they know when they have to study or perform other concentration-requiring tasks. A routine will also help them manage their time more effectively. Once you have been in practice for a while, your child's brain will automatically know when it's time to focus on studies. 

5. Break Big Tasks Down into Smaller Ones
Sometimes large tasks can be daunting and overwhelming – and when a child is overwhelmed, they won't want to focus on anything. To ensure better focus on a large job, break it down into smaller bite-sized pieces. 

6. Learn Their Learning Method 
No two children are alike, and neither are their learning styles. Some thrive with visual aids while others need hands-on work to learn. When you know your child's learning style, you can implement it in their studies as a way to harbor more focus and concentration. If they're learning in the way in which they're most comfortable, they will be more likely to stay on task. 

7. Set Time Goals 
When doing homework or studying, you can give your child a goal to reach by a specific time. This will often give them the boost they need to get things done. When they know they have a deadline, they’ll be incentivized to stay focused and reach that goal. 

8. Try A Reward System 
Rewards go a long way. Make a deal with your child that if they concentrate fully on one task, they will get a particular bonus once they have completed it. The rewards can be anything you wish, but allow your child to have some input so that it provides a strong incentive for them. 

9. Give Them Personal Time
Kids need free time just like adults. When they have studying, chores, and home life to contend with, they also need to be able to get distracted by their imagination or gadgets now and again. By providing them with free time, you’ll ensure they are more likely to focus when they know it's study time. 

When a child lacks focus, it isn't their fault. They just need to be stimulated in a way that provides them with the tools and drive to stay on the task at hand. Implement some or all of the above strategies and watch your child's ability to concentrate get better and better with each passing day!

 

Featured image by Natasha Hall on Unsplash