12 Most Effective Ways to Improve Your Child’s Concentration

As grown-ups, it is easy for us to use different techniques to improve our concentration levels, but it becomes difficult for a child to focus on a task for more than a few minutes. This happens primarily because of their natural exuberance and high curiosity levels. But as they grow older, they will need to focus on their studies and other essential tasks. To help your child in improving his concentration, you can adopt various strategies and see which one works best for him.
Video: How to Improve Your Child’s Concentration (10 Best Ways)
How to Improve a Child’s Concentration?
If you want to know how to make a child concentrate on studies and focus better, check out these 12 proven methods:
1. Divide Large Tasks Into Smaller Ones
Since a big task needs better focus and discipline, try dividing it into smaller, manageable tasks. This can be helpful while doing homework, learning new skills, and doing housework. Small projects need lesser time to complete and provide the satisfaction of having made progress. This makes focussing on the task a lot easier. As compared to this, a bigger chore can seem daunting to the child since it takes more time, and you can expect some reluctance from your child to take it on.
2. Mix Pleasure With Work
Young kids can get overwhelmed if they are involved in a number of tasks at the same time. Too many tasks can tire their little brains, so give them enough time to enjoy themselves and have fun. This way, they do not get pressurised and are open to work or study without any fuss. Any activity that has the potential to tire them out quickly or seems uninteresting for their age should be avoided.
3. Reduce Distractions
As parents, it is crucial to create an environment where children can learn or carry out their tasks with minimum distractions. Unless kids are engaged in activities they really like, it is difficult for them to keep even tiny distractions away. Television, loud music, noise, and mobile phones are major distractions for a child. Keep them from reading messages or browsing the internet while studying. These precautions can help improve a child’s focus as the concentration deterrents are reduced.
4. Set Time Limits for Goal Completion
Make sure you set a time limit for completion of a specific goal as this will make your child complete the task in the given time. However, ensure that the time limit you have set is not too short or too long as this could make kids anxious. Setting rigid time limits could also affect their ability to focus. Time limits of 15 minutes or 20 minutes will keep them focused on the task, and their attention will not waver too much. A longer time limit may promote inattentiveness and distraction, and the purpose could be defeated.
5. Provide Enough Physical Activity
Kids are full of energy and are bursting with life. In order to help them vent out additional energy, you should plan for playtime that includes running or playing some sports. It helps in focusing better, reduces boredom, and restlessness in a child.
6. Repeat the Same Activity At the Same Time
Ask your child to get down to studies and do his homework every day at the same time. This will help him to build a habit since the activity is repeated, and he will not need to make an effort to focus. Consistency helps our children’s mind to prepare for the homework or study when that time of the day comes, and they are more willing to study.
7. Provide a Time Gap Between Activities
While your child is engaged in carrying out one task, inform him that there is another one coming up. However, give him some time in between two chores before he begins the next activity. Usually, if a kid is doing something that he loves, he will probably be reluctant to move on to a new task.
8. Get Games That Need Focus
There are many games available in the market that require focus and make kids think. These concentration games for kids are great to help you build and strengthen your child’s capability to focus for longer time periods. Check online or in your nearby toy store for such games. By providing them with games that need detailed planning and use of memory, you can help them to have fun along with a good dose of concentration and focus.
9. Encourage Rest
Ensure that your child does not stay up too late during weekdays, and is getting enough sleep during the night. Resting the energetic body and brain is vital if you want to improve the child’s concentration. Encourage rest during the day too as he might be busy the entire day with a host of activities, and taking a nap will improve his concentration levels.
10. Breathing Exercises
If the brain receives adequate amounts of oxygen, it helps the brain to function at its optimum level. Ask your child to perform some basic breathing exercises to help his mind, and if he seems uninterested, you can join him too. Blowing soap bubbles or playing musical instruments like the harmonica are fun ways of making breathing exercises more fun.
11. Give Daily Tasks or Responsibilities
Give your child a few daily chores to carry out to help improve your child’s focus. Parents often worry about how to increase their child’s concentration, but often the answer lies in many of our daily activities. Ask him to arrange his storybooks or your book collection in alphabetical order. Sorting out his cupboard, making an ice lolly, or helping you in preparing a sandwich are a few examples that will help.
12. Read Out Stories
This is an excellent way of helping your child focus on one task at a time. Get some interesting storybooks appropriate for his age and read the stories aloud while your child is resting. Keep introducing new books as his interest grows. This will enhance his listening skills and encourage him to focus. Ask simple questions at the end of every session to ensure he is listening carefully, but keep it fun and interactive. Remember to keep your volume low and read slowly, as it helps the child to focus on listening and also promotes concentration.
Lack of concentration, absence of a routine, and wavering attention are the cause of many problems a child may experience when he starts attending school. By including simple activities in your child’s daily routine, you can help your kid to enhance his attention levels. Keep him motivated through appreciation, and this will allow him to do well at school and in the future too.
Also Read: How to Develop Good Habits in Children