Age-Appropriate ExpectationsMany (if not all) caregivers have struggled to keep their children focused on school work. Kids do have short attention-spans, after all. But, do you know if your expectations are really appropriate?
Attending to, or the ability to maintain focus, is a cognitive skill that develops with age. A 6-year old, for example, simply does not have the capacity to actively maintain focus on school work for more than 12-18 minutes at a time. Having a good understanding of age-appropriate attention-spans is a good place to start when considering ways to increase your child's attention-span.
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Include Physical MovementResearch shows that children who struggle with attention and focus benefit from breaks throughout the day that include physical movement.
Taking a break and bouncing on an exercise ball, stretching, or playing outside, along with breaking up learning into chunks, can all help your child stay focused. TRY THIS: Before starting on a project that requires sustained attention, allow your child to play actively for about 15 minutes - this will help them stay engaged in their task longer. |
Check out the Youtube video above ^^^ for an example of a physical movement brain break to try at home.
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Keep them closeWhen your child is having difficulty focusing, try keeping their work-space close to wherever you are. You can consider using one-word or nonverbal reminders to get them back on track when you notice their attention drifting.
Encourage self-regulationTalk to your children about the connection between their body and their brain. Talk to them about what happens in their body when they experience certain feelings like frustration, excitement, or boredom. Having this awareness will help your child recognize and manage their emotions, including when they're losing focus.
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Limit DistractionsIf there are other devices in your home, keep them out of your child's workspace as much as possible. This might mean turning off cell phones, putting away remotes, or keeping phones (and other devices) in a designated place for the day.
This is true for other visual distractions as well. Try to keep your child's work space free of clutter and other visual distractions. Play PretendFor younger children struggling with focus, try some role playing. Cast your child in the role of "work partner," teacher, or researcher to help them stay focused and complete a task.
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