How to Teach a Child to Focus
The world is full of possibilities for children. They have so much to do, see and learn. Sometimes children want to do everything at once and it seems they will never be able to focus on any single thing. Their curiosity is natural and it is important not to dampen it. Provide good balance in their lives, and they will be able both to have fun and to focus when they need to.
Things You'll Need
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Children's books
Instructions
Children thrive on routine. Create a daily routine so they know what to expect and what is expected of them. If you are a teacher, make sure your children know which lessons happen on which days. Make the lessons fun and interesting, and engage the children as much as you can. The more they interact with you, the more they are likely to focus. Communicate clearly and keep instructions simple. If they have a long list of things to do, children are likely to procrastinate and not focus on the tasks. If they know what they have to do, and the instruction is simple, they are more likely to focus. Make the environment conducive to maintaining focus. Keep noisy children away from other noisy children, and keep children who are easily distracted away from noise and distraction such as an open window. Make your children aware of the benefits of staying focused, such as learning something new or fun, or hearing an interesting story. Equally, make them aware of what distracts them and what they will lose out on if they get distracted. This way, they can monitor themselves and stay more focused. Play games that require your children to focus their attention. Games such as "I Spy" require each player to concentrate on the object that has been spied. They are likely to stay focused on the game and will enjoy having their own turn to spy something for the other children to guess. Other games like "Simon Says" require children to listen to the instructions and follow them accordingly. Choose fun jigsaw puzzles for your children to complete, and praise them when they have completed them. Read books and stories to your children. When they are old enough, encourage them to read on their own. Create balance in your children's lives. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, you cannot expect your children to remained focused all day. Provide space for them to play outdoors, to play sports and play with other children. Fresh air and exercise are as important as mental focus, so make sure your children have exposure to fun, laughter, games and friends. Make sure they get enough sleep and have an adequate and nutritious diet. All of these will contribute to their ability to focus.
