How to improve concentration in kids?

“My child won’t sit in one place.” Trying to get our kids to pay attention; is something almost every parent struggle with. We are worried that our child is not focused on one thing and running around looking for distractions. Parents often complain about being seen and not heard by their children. Lack of attention and not listening to what we have to say is a prevalent problem in children. Unlike us adults, the child’s mind cannot fixate on one single activity. They will get bored with one thing and move on to another thing before you know it! In this world full of distractions, what should we expect from our kids? What is the attention span “ideal” for your kid? Let’s have a look. Attention and focus span is different for every age group. From infancy to 12months, babies’ attention span when they could be staring at a mobile phone or holding something; that could last from anywhere 1 minute to 6 minutes, or it could be 10 seconds to 30 seconds. So, these are entirely normal expectations to have for your baby!

Early toddlerhood!

This is the age of 1 year to 3 years. Children love to throw things, move everything from its place, and take things out during this age. This is entirely normal behavior! The average attention span in this age can be from 4 minutes to 10 minutes.

Preschoolers!

This is the age of exploration! The age of 3 years to 5 years can be very overwhelming for children because they will discover a whole another world apart from their home! They will be ready to take all in and learn a lot of new things. The average attention span during this age can be from 10 minutes to 24 minutes.

Childhood!

This is the age of 5 years to 12 years! Children tend to be hyperactive during this age! They will get more into physical activities. They might pick up some new hobbies. Parents should cherish this age as a lot of new things will happen for your child. The average attention span can vary from 15 minutes to 35 minutes.

Here are some tips and tricks to help your child concentrate better!

1. Encourage a good night’s sleep!

A child needs at least 9-10 hours of sleep every day. Not getting enough sleep can make their thought process slow, making him less alert and attentive. Lack of sleep can also be a hindrance in memorizing stuff. It makes them less vigilant, which can reduce both speed and accuracy in mental tasks. Sleep is really important!

2. Don’t skip breakfast!

Some parents avoid giving breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. A healthy and balanced breakfast has tons of benefits. Make sure to send your kid to school with a satisfying breakfast, which will help him stay alert and energetic all day!

3. Adequate physical activity!

Physical activities can do beautiful things to help your child stay focused. Physical activities can sharpen the child’s focus because it releases brain chemicals associated with learning and memory. So, don’t restrain your child from physical activities; it’s essential.

4. Divide an enormous task into smaller tasks!

A big task requires too much concentration and focus. The child will almost every time, try to avoid a big and challenging task. So, we can divide the tasks like homework or any household activities into smaller, more comfortable, and manageable tasks. It will give him immense satisfaction upon completing the smaller tasks!

5. Reduce distractions!

Children find it hard to avoid distractions. It would be best if you create a distraction-free environment where they learn, study, and carry out tasks. Don’t use electronic gadgets near them while studying or doing homework; make it as distraction-free as possible!

6. Repetition is the key!

Repeating the same activity every day, at the same time, eventually turns it into a habit. If you set up a routine and tell the child that he has to do a specific task at a particular time every day, after a while, it will take less effort required to focus on that specific task.

7. Set goals!

Set a time for completing a task and offer him some baits or gifts if he completes the task within the time limit. This will force him to focus on completing the required task. But, you have to be careful with the time limits. They should not be too short as that can cause anxiety and can be pressurized for the kid. They should also not be too long because we all know how distractive our kids can be!

8. Focus games are fun!

You can train and build up a child’s ability to focus by playing games that require thinking! Combine fun with concentration by playing focus and memory games. There are a lot of thinking games available online that you can buy and play with your child!

9. Encourage their passion!

A child needs to have at least one passion. And, if your child does have some passion, encourage him rather than disregarding it as a” waste of time.” Having a passion or a hobby can keep your child hooked on a particular thing. But then again, don’t get your child involved in too many activities as it can get a little overwhelming for them.

10. Bedtime stories help!

Get engaging storybooks and read it to your child while he is going to sleep or taking rest. This is a great exercise to keep your child attentive and focused. Listening exercises like this will encourage him to concentrate. Ask small and simple questions at the end of the sitting to make sure that he was listening!

11. Meditation!

Meditate with your child. Enough oxygen must reach your child’s brain for the brain to function fully! Breathing exercises can help stay concentrated. Be patient and enduring during all this as it will take a significant time to build concentration in your child. Keep noticing the little changes, it will help you stay motivated!

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