How to increase concentration & attention span in children?

In an age of instant gratification and the world at your fingertips, concentration and attention spans have become difficult things to deal with, especially as parents. Even as adults we find it particularly hard not to pick up our phones to check messages, open emails or even social media every so often. And this issue has been very evidently affecting school children as well. It is impossible to expect children to have attention spans that are any better, as the world around them is so fast-paced.

That being said, it is not impossible to work on building up a children’s attention span and levels of concentration. In fact, there are a few simple ways which, if practiced regularly, together and in their entirety, can work wonders for your child.

Reduce Distractions

Without a doubt, the age of technology has offered us more distractions than ever before. From having the TV on to a parent’s phone constantly buzzing, anything can draw away your child’s attention from their homework in a second. That apart, things like too much noise and clutter can be incredibly distracting too. To be able to complete a task calmly and well, ensure that you remove as many distractions as possible from the environment.

Burn Off Energy

For many children, the biggest distractor is their own energy. For a child to be able to pay full attention to their work, it’s essential to let them engage in any physical activity beforehand. Playing with a ball or running around for a while can really help the child settle down easier later on. It will make them less fidgety or easily distracted.

Break down tasks

This works well for older children as well. Instead of viewing a particular task as a huge unmovable mountain, breaking it down into chunks makes it much more doable. By using this approach, the child is also encouraged to work step by step towards a goal. For example, if the task is to clean their room, breaking this up into 1. Fold your clothes 2. Put away your books 3. Wipe your table etc can be far more helpful.

Work and Play Together

It is important for your child to know that you are a team who can finish tasks together. You can show this by playing certain games with them, like doing puzzles or playing with lego blocks. Reading to your child is another great way to get them to concentrate and spend quality time together. Remember that to get attention, you must give attention. When your child is doing homework, it is a good idea to sit with them and take interest so that they feel the importance of their own work as well.

Build a Regular Routine

In order to improve a child’s concentration and attention span, it is essential to make them understand the importance of time management and prioritization. Sticking to a routine from a young age can inculcate in children the urge to do things on time and with full effort. By allotting them a specific amount of time for activities like playing, practicing spelling and writing etc. the child understands what is expected of them in that time frame.

Take Breaks Often

An important part of a daily routine is taking regular breaks, which are incredibly important. This down time gives the child to relax, recharge and simply take a moment for themselves. Having that kind of change is necessary for the child’s mental and physical health too. It allows them to switch from one task to another without too much mental fatigue or a lack of concentration on one or the other thing.

Rewards and Encouragement

Children love to see their efforts being recognized, as we all do. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that you acknowledge your child’s progress as much as possible. Often, we only praise them for positive outcomes, but encouraging them for putting in the effort is key. Rewarding them for staying focused with small treats or positive words can go a long way, which works to keep them motivated.

Apart from all these tips, keeping a healthy diet and good sleep schedule is of utmost importance as well, like avoiding sugary foods and having an early bedtime. Incorporating these changes into your daily life can aid in nourishing the child’s brain and helping him/her learn how to multitask and focus on hobbies, extracurricular activities and school work simultaneously.