- Authored by Ms. Sreepriya Unnikrishnan, Head of School, Ekya School, JP Nagar, Bengaluru
Concentration is an elusive quality that is difficult to summon voluntarily, in any event, for grown-ups who are more mindful. It is even harder for our children, yet it is significant and there are some things we as parents can do to help. Concentration seldom surfaces as an ability or quality that permits creating close by any appearance of communication, creative mind, certainty, imagination or group work. Perhaps classroom teaching styles have evolved a lot over the past thirty years, the exam system hasn’t changed a bit – and here, concentration is everything.
Concentration is required for paying attention to the teacher, zeroing in on classroom tasks and most parts of learning. Children have a big impact at home on education and parents can do much to ensure better concentration. Here are some aspects of child’s life that influence their ability to concentrate:
Divide a Big task into Small tasks
A big task requires too much concentration and discipline, so it would be a good idea to divide it into smaller tasks. This could be applied to schoolwork, housework and acquiring new abilities. Doing little errands, which lead to the fruition of a significant undertaking, makes the task less scary and simpler to zero in on, and it likewise gives the sensation of progress and development.
Nutrition
Poor nutrition leads to concentration problems for a long time. A diet, high in sugar and unhealthy fats, affects the concentration skills of children. Some healthy food choices that can help in boosting concentration levels are milk, eggs, fish, meat, oats, etc. Omega-3 fatty acids also help in boosting concentration levels. The loss of sodium and electrolytes causes acute changes in memory and attention. Make sure that your child drinks enough water not only in summer but in other seasons too. Avoid junk food, caffeine, and energy drinks for children.
Gadgets
It is not a good idea to watch TV while doing homework, since this distracts the attention. Text messages and the social media also interrupt the concentration. Encourage and teach your child not to read text messages or use cell phones, while studying and doing homework.
Involve children in brain-storming games
Involving children in too many activities can become tiring for them. Permit them to have a good time and include them in conceptualizing games and fun exercises. For example, games like critical thinking, scientific abilities, and decisive reasoning assistance in tending to youngster focus issues. Uno, Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and so forth to give some examples. Sequencing activities like assembling a table, and arranging things in alphabetical order are great activities to boost concentration.
Study at the same hour every day
Rehashing a similar movement consistently at that very hour, ultimately, transforms it into a propensity. Assuming that a child plunks down to concentrate on each day at that very hour, sooner or later, when the hour comes, there will be less effort expected to focus. The mind will know that an opportunity to study has shown up, and would be willing to study.
Allow some time before beginning a new task
When your child is busy, tell him what he has to do next, but allow a few minutes of rest, between finishing the task and starting the new one. This would prevent tension and inner resistance.
Enough sleep
An obvious easy-win in the concentration battle is getting sufficient rest. This aids in addressing child concentration problems and increasing their focus at study in order to increase the concentration level in kids. A power nap of twenty to thirty minutes in the afternoon or after school hours additionally further develops focus in children. Memory combination and appropriate rest fortifies the neural connections that form our memories, thus helping in further developing concentration.
