Is it difficult for your child to focus on tasks? For most children, it is difficult to focus for more than a few moments on any task, and that’s quite natural, due to their curiosity, exuberance and energy.
However, concentration is essential for studying, for homework and for the completion of any task. Grown-up people can improve their concentration with special exercises; however, with children, one needs to use different strategies.
You can help your child increase his or her concentration in various ways. These ways will teach the child certain habits and rules that would make it easier to focus and be less restless, while doing homework or carrying out tasks. Here are the tips you can follow:
1. Divide a Big Task into Small Ones
A big task requires too much concentration and discipline, so it would be a good idea to divide it into smaller tasks. This could be applied to homework, housework and learning new skills.
Doing small projects, which lead to the completion of a major project, give the feeling of progress and movement, making it easier to focus. A big task that requires time, dedication and focus, might seem intimating and overwhelming, and can awaken reluctance to tackle. A small task seems easier to carry through and there is less resistance.
2. Reducing Distractions
Unless engaged in something they really like, children might find it difficult to screen out distractions.
You need to keep the environment where they learn, study or carry out tasks, as distraction-free as possible.
Be especially wary of television, loud music, noises, and anything else that might distract the child's attention.
3. Television and Cell Phones
It is not a good idea to watch TV while doing homework, since this distracts the attention. Text messages and emails also interrupt the concentration. It is recommended not to read text messages or use cell phones, while studying and doing homework.
4. Doing Homework at the Same Hour Every Day
Repeating the same activity every day at the same hour, eventually, turns it into a habit. If a child sits down for homework every day at the same hour, after a while, when the hour comes, there will be less effort required to focus. The mind will know that the time for homework has arrived, and would be more willing to study.
5. Give Them Enough Physical Activity
Some physical activity, like playing, running or some sports, between study and tasks, would supply a way to vent out extra energy. This would help the child to be less restless, offset boredom and make it easier focus.
6. Let Children Have Play and Fun
Giving children too many tasks and involving them in too many activities can be overwhelming and tiring for their brains. As a parent you should allow them enough time for pleasure and fun, so they don’t feel too pressurised.
7. Enough Rest
Ensure that the child has enough sleep at night, and also, some rest during the day.
8. Set Time for the Completion of a Goal
Set the time for completing a goal, like 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. This might force the kid to focus, so as to finish the goal within the time limits. However, you should be careful with this, since some children might find setting time limits too pressurising, and this could cause anxiety and disturb their focus.
9. Let Them Play Games that Require Focus
You can train and strengthen a child’s ability to focus by playing games that require thinking. There are a lot of such games, which you can find in stores selling games for children.
Playing games that require focusing, planning and the use of memory combine fun with concentration.
10. Allow Some Time before Beginning a New Task
When your child is busy, tell him what he has to do next, but allow a few minutes, till he stops and starts the new activity. This advice is more valid, when a child is engaged doing something he likes and enjoys doing, since there would be reluctance to stop what he is doing and start do something else.
Sasson is a life coach and motivational speaker