Mental Focusing Techniques - How to Improve Focusing in Children
By Andrew Loh
When you say that your children are able to focus, it means that
they can keep their minds concentrated on a given task for a
reasonable period. The task can be anything in nature; it can relate
to reading a book, writing notes, listening to music or even
watching a cartoon show. On the other side, the period need not be
too long. Nature forces almost everyone to stop concentrating after
some time - no matter what he or she do or perform. People will need
to take a small break so that they can refresh their minds and later
refocus again on the assigned task. These things apply to your
children too! After all, they are just like us although smaller in
age.
However, the issue of mental focus assumes more importance among
children because focusing and concentrating forms the most basic
human character. Lack of focus in children can damage their academic
performance and impair learning abilities. Lack of focus is also
precursor to many other negative effects that have the ability to
spoil the personal nature itself. Several factors affect your
children's mental focus either singly or in combination. These
factors are:
Age - In general, small children often find it very difficult to
focus on things or issues. This is so true in the age bracket of 5
and 12 years. However, older children above 12 years develop the
ability to focus on their studies and lessons. However, in some
cases, even older children may lack the ability to focus on their
studies. If you feel that there I something wrong, you can always
consult a doctor or an educational expert.
Internal motivation and interest - You can never do anything if you
do not show an interest to do that thing. If you develop an
interest, you may be able to concentrate and focus on the work for
longer durations. It is so common to see many children complaining
that they cannot do a particular kind of work. Your children are not
too different. At times, you may notice that your children work for
a longer duration. This is possible only when they show an interest
in a particular task.
Circumstances - What happens to one's life can harm one's ability
focus or concentrate. If your children face an uncertain personal
life, then they will lose their mental focus and concentration.
Personal health - General health status can seriously affect the
ability to focus. Illnesses, fevers, extended spell of diseases or
even lack of sleep can affect focus and concentration. Personal
health status can impair the ability to concentrate or focus.
Ambience - Immediate ambience or surrounding can seriously affect
the way in which your children concentrate and focus. Some children
can easily focus on things even in presence of excessive noise while
many others lose their concentration within seconds. When the
conditions are not right, your children may not be able to
concentrate on their studies.
Identifying the needs and requirements - If your children know what
they want from a certain situation, they can easily focus on the
assigned tasks. If your children do not know the time required to
finish job, then they will find it difficult to concentrate on the
job.
How can you help your children? You can help your children in many
ways. Each child is different and he or she needs different learning
experience. You will need to watch your children very closely to
understand their needs and requirements. Most children are able to
focus in something or a particular task. Before assuming that they
are unable to focus, you will need to watch them for a day or two.
You can watch their actions throughout the day to find out when they
are able to concentrate or when they do not. Watch their activities
very closely; most children can concentrate on a particular task
when compared to others.
You will need to be very reasonable while developing expectations
about your children. Never ever, demand too much from your children.
Most of them need some relaxation after some time. You can also
cajole your children to develop an interest in what they are doing.
If they show an interest, they will be able to focus better.
Enthusiasm is the key to better mental focus. If you show an active
interest in what you children are doing, you are indirectly helping
them develop better focus and concentration.
Never be a bitter critique of your children! Praise them more than
you criticize them. You may need to gel interest and praise to make
them develop mental focus. Finding fault is very easy! However,
providing solutions to a problem is very difficult. When your
children work well to finish their assigned tasks, you can give them
some form of rewards. A small reward can easily help them to work
towards developing better focus. Provide your children best
conditions to learn and play. Provide serene environment to study
their lessons. See that your children do not face distractions while
studying.
Like adults, even children have their own deficiencies especially
while focusing on some task or work. You will need to understand
that developing mental focus is a very slow act and you simply
cannot force it on your children. Here are some simple tips to help
your children develop mental focus:
-
Play chess with your children especially in the morning. Chess is
a wonderful game that can make your children focus and concentrate
on a particular task for longer durations. Chess is a thinking
person's game and it needs lot of concentration and focus to win.
-
Play board and strategy games like Monopoly with your children.
Board games are extremely good for developing concentration and
focus. Play easy games in the beginning and proceed to difficult
ones as you see your children developing focus.
-
Read stories to your children and ask them to interact with you
about the story. Stories and poems can be very good tools for
developing focus and concentration.
-
Solving puzzles and riddles can assist your children how to focus
and concentrate on a special task. Bring home lots of puzzle and
riddle games.
You can also try to establish set and rigid routines to help your
children stay on the course. Most of the daily routines are very
common and you can enforce them with your children. Here are some of
the most common routines:
Most probably, you will face stiff resistance from your children.
After all, it is their nature to rebel against you. You may wish to
be very rigid about these rules and routines. Children always test
rules and you. Be ready to face some form of resistance in the
initial stages.
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