7 Tips to Increase a Child’s Concentration | increase concentration levels in kids

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Written By Poonam Singh

I am co-founder of toddlerjunction.com and Principal of Cambridge Montessori Preschool Bangalore.

The essential factor for accomplishing tasks is concentration, yet this ability is not easy. Even for more self-aware individuals, it is an elusive trait that is difficult to summon on demand. Even while concentration is challenging for our kids, it is crucial, and there are some things we parents can do to support them.

How can children’s concentration be increased? Many parents will ask this question when they see their kids failing to focus and pay attention.

While attention differs from child to child, concentration issues may be caused by various underlying reasons, including stress or inadequate nourishment. You should pay attention to the symptoms, identify the underlying problem, and come up with supporting measures if you want to help your kids become more focused. You can also get kids involved in games and activities that improve focus.

Read Here: Everything You Need To Know About Early Childhood Literacy

What exactly is so special about concentration?

increase concentration levels in kids
increase concentration levels in kids

Some trends come and go in the school system, and there is never-ending discussion over what skills are crucial and how to impart them. Surprisingly, the ability to focus is rarely mentioned as a trait that should be developed alongside others like communication, imagination, confidence, creativity, or group work.

This is remarkable because, even though classroom teaching methods have changed significantly over the previous thirty years, the test system hasn’t changed. In this situation, the focus is crucial. Concentration is necessary for many areas of learning, not just tests, such as paying attention in class and listening to the teacher.

Read Here: The Ultimate Guide to Montessori For Beginners

Signs of lack of attention in children

You may observe some of these behaviors in your child if they struggle with attention and concentration:

  • Does not stay in one place for long and is quickly distracted.
  • Ends up losing items frequently and is not disciplined.
  • Has trouble memorizing new information.
  • Can’t concentrate on their homework.
  • Seems to be daydreaming continuously
  • Comparatively poor handwriting to children of the same age.
  • Occasionally being harsh or unpleasant.
  • Exhibits poor motor abilities such as sprinting or jumping.

Read Here: How To Find A Montessori Caregiver For Your Kid

Kids’ Concentration Problems: The Causes

increase concentration levels in kids
increase concentration levels in kids

Less sleep: Depending on age, children require eight to ten hours of sleep each day. Concentration problems are greatly influenced by sleep deprivation. To manage concentration problems, paying close attention to sleep patterns and why they get disturbed is crucial.

Family conflict: Frequent conflicts and fights between the child’s parents, as well as excessive pressure on the youngster to succeed in their studies or hobbies, can all lead to symptoms of lack of attention and distractibility. Reduce their pressure to succeed and refrain from arguing in front of your child.

Inadequate Nutrition: Lack of attention has a lot to do with poor diet. A diet heavy in fat and sugar will damage your ability to concentrate. A child should eat eggs, whole-grain bread, milk, poultry, beef, and bacon. Keep away from junk food, energy drinks, and coffee.

Read Here: How Montessori Education Is Different From Traditional Education

7 Tips to Increase a Child’s Focus

Below are seven tips you can apply to improve your kid’s focus and concentration:

Eliminate distractions

increase concentration levels in kids
increase concentration levels in kids

Make an effort to provide your children with a distraction-free environment to concentrate on the subject properly. The biggest distractions for a child are tv, music, noise, and cell phones. When you notice that your children are working on anything or studying, try reducing these distractions. An atmosphere that is tranquil and comforting has a positive effect on children.

Children react positively to a tranquil and relaxing environment. But not all children experience this the same way. Try to determine what will work best for your child and then do it. Set an example for your child as a parent. While your youngster is studying, have a “quiet time” to read a book or engage in some other activity. They’ll be inspired to work harder as a result.

Play games and activities to improve focus

increase concentration levels in kids
increase concentration levels in kids

Games are a good way to improve concentration. It is usually a good idea to try making children’s activities more enjoyable because kids learn more by playing. Keep electronics, tablets, and laptops out of the reach of kids and let them play with normal toys, attention- and concentration-boosting activities, and concentration exercises. Technology should only be used sometimes or not at all for children, according to studies showing that it actually decreases their attention span and memory capacity.

Break up larger tasks into smaller ones

increase concentration levels in kids
increase concentration levels in kids

Provide smaller tasks to boost concentration and extend the attention span. For a child, it can be challenging to complete a chapter in one sitting. It is often helpful to split it down into pages or even paragraphs so that the child feels motivated to keep going after completing a minor assignment.

When time-consuming or challenging jobs are broken down into smaller ones, they become simpler for them. When a youngster does something requiring less time, they do not feel stressed. If a reader appears lost when reading a chapter, ask them to read it in pages or short paragraphs.

Make them eat a healthy diet

A child’s ability to concentrate is directly correlated with how well they eat, and various foods can aid with concentration development. While eating junk food or foods high in sugar makes kids sluggish, eating foods high in protein like almonds, eggs, and lean meat can help kids become more alert and focus better.  Dehydration clearly affects concentration because water is crucial for the brain. We frequently only think about this in the summer, but ensuring your child stays hydrated all year round is important.

One task at a time

increase concentration levels in kids
increase concentration levels in kids

Even though we may praise the benefits of multitasking in our adulthood, research shows that multitasking depletes focus and impairs performance. Simply singing the alphabet aloud while examining the letters is an option for very young children. You can finish one long division issue at a time when working with slightly older kids, such as 4th graders. Simply concentrate on one issue at a time; don’t think about the rest.

Breaks and naps improve focus

Sufficient breaks and naps allow the mind to rest and improve concentration. Most kids focus best after getting a good night’s sleep. To improve attention, taking a 20-minute power nap after school or in the afternoons would work. Before the study session starts, take care of any needs like the need to use the restroom or eat because these things have a habit of interfering with concentration.

Set timer and goals

Kids may find it simpler to persevere if they know the time limitations on their ability to maintain concentration. Decide how long your child should work before eating a brief snack or taking a break, and set a timer. As your youngster becomes more adept at staying focused, you can gradually extend the duration. Also, set goals for them. Their study time should be divided into several categories. Make a schedule for their activities, including playtime, study time, other extracurricular activities, etc.

Keep Cell phones and television away

Watching TV while completing homework is not recommended because it diverts concentration. Social media and text messages also derail concentration. Encourage and instruct your youngster to refrain from reading texts or using a phone while completing schoolwork or studying. Ensure then don’t use your phone for hours and watch cartoons for hours. Instead, you can promise them to allow watching cartoons if they complete homework on time.

How to Improve Your Child’s Concentration (10 Best Ways) video

increase concentration levels in kids

increase concentration levels in kids – FAQ

How can I improve my 4 year olds concentration?

There are a few things parents can do to help improve their child’s concentration. One is to make sure the child is getting enough sleep. A tired child will have a harder time concentrating. Parents should also make sure the child has a healthy diet and is getting enough exercise. These things will help the child’s body and mind to be in the best shape possible for learning.
Parents can also help their child to focus by teaching them some simple concentration exercises. One is to have the child sit still and focus on breathing slowly and evenly for a minute or two. Another is to have the child focus on an object, such as a toy or a picture, and look at it closely for a minute or two.

What are the 5 specific steps to improve your concentration?

There are a few specific steps you can take to help improve your child’s concentration. First, make sure they are getting enough sleep. A tired child will have a harder time focusing. Second, create a distractions-free environment for them to work in. This means no television, music, or other noise. Third, help them break down their tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Trying to do too much at once will only lead to frustration. Fourth, provide them with regular breaks so they can move around and refocus their energy. Fifth, praise their efforts and successes, no matter how small. This will help them feel motivated to keep trying.

How can improve kids concentration?

There are a few things that parents can do to help increase their child’s concentration. First, make sure that the child has a routine and stick to it as much as possible. This will help the child know what to expect and when to expect it. Secondly, provide the child with ample opportunities to practice concentrating. This could be in the form of puzzles, games, or even just sitting still for a few minutes. Third, make sure that the child is getting enough sleep. A tired child will have a hard time concentrating. Fourth, limit distractions in the child’s environment.

Conclusion

A child’s self-esteem can suffer when they struggle with concentration. To help your kid focus better, acknowledge their effort. Mention any progress, no matter how minor. Let your kid know that concentration abilities can improve.

And don’t forget to focus on your child’s abilities rather than their challenges. Celebrate all of their successful focus efforts. When kids are aware of their strengths, their self-esteem grows, and they can better maintain their motivation whenever times are challenging.

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increase concentration levels in kids

I am co-founder of toddlerjunction.com and Principal of Cambridge Montessori Preschool and DayCare Kaggadasapura Branch. I am also a Montessori certified teacher and have 5+ years of experience working with kids.

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