Tips for parents and teachers: How to develop concentration in a child.

deisip67 (69)in #steempress • 5 years ago (edited)

Lack of concentration is a common problem among children. Their attention is so inconsistent that even the new toys attract them for a few hours.

SourceThe situation gets worse when the parents force the child to perform various activities (for example, learning lessons), which requires mental effort and concentration. But, if a child can not concentrate, this does not mean that he or she suffers from learning disorders (such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Consider the main causes of poor concentration in children and try to discover how parents and teachers can help children solve this problem. First, you must find out if the child really can not concentrate.

Signs of low concentration in children:

A child who has trouble concentrating may experience some of these symptoms:

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The child can not sit still and is easily distracted;
He often loses things and gets disorganized;
Has learning and memorization difficulties;
He can not concentrate to do his homework;
He constantly "floats in the clouds";
You have a bad hand compared to your peers;
It is aggressive or capricious;
His motor skills are poorly developed (for example, he does not run well or jump).

Causes of low concentrations in children:

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1. Does not sleep enough.

Children need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep each day, according to age. If the child is used to going to bed late, change this habit and establish a routine for it. Help your child go to bed early so he has more time to sleep.

2. Stress in the family.

What causes stress in a child? It can be anything from school to family problems. Excessive pressure on the child, instructions to study well, play sports, etc., family fights and lack of parental attention, all this can cause stress. Try not to pressure the child and avoid family disputes.

3. Inadequate nutrition.

Poor nutrition, particularly the consumption of foods high in sugar and fat, often leads to poor concentrations. Eggs, wholemeal bread, milk, chicken, meat and fish will work well for your child. Do not give your child coffee, energy drinks or junk food.

4. Difficult tasks.

The child usually refuses to perform tasks that seem too difficult. The complexity of the task is determined by the age of the child. Therefore, do not give your child too much work or tasks that he can not understand.

Rest, healthy sleep and a balanced diet will help solve the problem of concentration in a child.

How to develop concentration in a child:

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Consider some more ways to help the child focus:

1. Observe the child.

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Sit next to the child and watch him play, talk or read. Look at the expression on your face and try to understand what interests you;
Talk to your child's teacher. As the teacher often interacts with the child, he can give you a lot of valuable information;
Do not scold the child, be patient with him and try to understand him.

2. Minimize distractions.

Children do not know how to filter noise. Therefore, you need to create the correct atmosphere to focus it.

If a child does something close to you, do not talk on the phone or watch television;

Show your child a good example. Establish a "moment of silence" during which you are reading a book or doing something while your child is learning lessons. Your example will motivate you to do your job better.

3. Reduce the amount of time your child spends in front of the monitor.

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Instead of letting your child play computer games, play traditional games with him:

buy games for your child that develop creative thinking in a fun way;
Give your child some time when he can watch TV or sit in front of the computer. So you can control the time - what happens in front of the monitor;
Show an example to your child: watch less TV and use less a mobile phone.

4. Set goals

the objectives must be achievable;
divide the study time of the child into several categories;
create a schedule for all activities: games, study, hobbies, etc .;
Give your child a symbolic reward when he does his homework well for a week or a month.

5. Give your child daily chores.

Give your child simple daily tasks that require an order from him;
Entrust the child with age-appropriate matters (for example, setting the table, helping in the kitchen, classifying things after washing, etc.);
If you have a library at home, ask the child to organize the books in alphabetical order;
Give the child new tasks regularly so that he does not lose interest.

6. Divide large tasks into smaller tasks.

Sometimes great tasks scare children.

It will be easier for the child if he divides a large task into several smaller ones;
The child does not feel overwhelmed if he performs tasks that do not take long. If a child seems confused when he has to read a chapter of a textbook, let him read a page or several paragraphs.

7. Appreciate the child and give him a reward.

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the child must be motivated to perform tasks;
He must feel capable of completing the task. This keeps him motivated and focused on completing the task as best he can;
When you see a child doing a better job, pat him on the shoulder in a friendly way or find some kind of symbolic reward.

8. Ask your school psychologist for help.

A school psychologist, who works with a child outside of school hours, can teach him to concentrate. You should also join these classes to learn firsthand how to develop concentration.

9. Check that your child has learning disorders.

Consult a child psychologist for a diagnosis;
The diagnosis will help to understand the reason for the low concentration of the child, since the latter is not always associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
To increase concentration, some children need medical treatment, others need the advice of a psychologist and others, simply, in a favorable environment.

10. Maintain the child's physical activity.

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Studies show that games and outdoor activities (running, cycling, soccer, etc.) are useful not only for physical development, but also for the psyche of a child. These activities help the child to better focus on what he is doing.

11. Perform breathing exercises.

A sufficient amount of oxygen helps the brain function properly. To do this, perform breathing exercises with your child:

You can do exercises in the room, near the window, on the terrace or in the garden;
Ask the child to lie on his back. Put a soft toy in the belly. Then ask the child to take a deep breath and lift the toy as high as it can without touching it with their hands. If the toy rises, it means that there is a lot of air in the lungs.