How to Help Children Stay Focused in School
Children may want to do well in school but may lag behind due to lack of focus. Distractions at home and in the classroom may be preventing your kids from giving their full attention to their studies. Teachers and parents can employ strategies that help children stay focused at school and get better grades.
Instructions
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For Teachers
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Get the child's attention if you notice he's not paying attention in class. Ask him to explain your instructions in his own words once you finish what you're teaching. Tell him to have his eyes on the person talking to him; this way you can prevent his eyes and thus his mind from wandering.
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Use visual study tools that are less distracting. Using bulletin boards and posters can help children understand lessons better but they can also be distracting. Use display tools that have subtle colors and minimal graphics.
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Encourage the student to focus on the task at hand. For example, if you are giving an assignment that has several steps to achieve the goal, limit your explanation to one or two steps instead of instructing him on the entire assignment. This way you can avoid overwhelming him with instructions, which can cause him to skip a step or two.
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Give students a short break between subjects. This gives them an opportunity to relax and energize themselves for the next lesson.
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Inform the child's parents about the student's performance at school during parent-teacher meetings. Tell them if he is having any difficulties.
For Parents
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Teach your child to listen. Children who don't learn to listen find it difficult to follow instructions in class. Listen to your child when he talks to you. Ask relevant questions to show that you are listening carefully.
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Make it clear to your child that education is important and doing homework is must. Set a regular schedule for homework and monitor it. Eliminate distractions such as TV and telephone calls from friends during homework time. Creating a quiet place to serve as a homework spot that can help him focus on his work.
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Show interest in your child's school life. Talk to his teachers often to know how he is doing at school. Participate actively in teacher-parent meetings. Talk about your child's skills and talents as well as your concerns during these meetings. Listen to what the teacher has to say about your child.
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References
- Photo Credit little girl reading book image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
