Does your child struggle with focusing and dedicating their attention to the tasks at hand? If this sounds similar, do not worry because this is a problem that many parents face. Children have a lot of energy and are easily distracted so getting them to focus on one task is definitely a challenge but we are here to help! Here are some tips that could be useful 🙂
The first thing to keep in mind is your child’s age and the length of time that will be required for the task. It is not fair to expect a 7-year-old to concentrate for an hour without having breaks. Even us adults struggle with focusing for long periods of time so do make sure you aren’t expecting too much from your child.
We suggest getting out as much energy as possible before a task that requires focus. Having a child that has been locked indoors all day and now has to sit for an hour and focus on a task will probably result in tears. Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for all of us as it gets us physically moving while endorsing those feel-good hormones known as serotonin.
Reward their attention and focus. When a task that requires focus is at hand that may be a bit boring for your child, do reward their behaviour. Children will work better when they know that once they are done, they will have a small treat.
If you have a child who fidgets constantly then we know the struggles. But there are solutions!!! There are many toys that help with fidgety hands allowing their minds to focus for the required time. Having breaks filled with sensory-stimulating toys is also a great way to reduce fidgeting when attention is needed.
When a big task is presented to a child, it is easy for them to feel overwhelmed. Try breaking up the task into smaller steps that are easier for your child to comprehend. Explain each step to your child and let them repeat it back to you to ensure they have understood what is expected of them. Do not just leave them to it! They will need support and encouragement throughout so be close by.
We hope that some of these tips will help you get your child to concentrate for longer!
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