How To Improve Your Child’s Attention Span
“Look here, when I am talking to you”! “Pay attention to this”! These are often statements that are heard when parents are trying to get children to do their homework, study or complete some activity.
Attention is the key. If we can manage to draw their attention to the activity at hand and manage to keep it there long enough, accomplishing the activity is a breeze. Most often it is at this point that we struggle, to get them to be attentive, long enough.
We are aware of the fact that the attention span of a child depends on his or her age. According to experts, you can safely add a minute to every year of age. A four-year old will have an attention span of four minutes at a stretch and so on.
There are various things that we as parents or teachers can do to draw children’s attention and improve its duration as well. A series of simple things, if done regularly can be effective in increasing a child’s attention span.
Even at the risk of sounding clichéd, setting a routine helps.
Time - Keep a designated time of the day for studies, activities, homework or practice. A designated time is the best way to keep other distractions at bay.
Place - A designated place can give the much needed space and quiet that is important for developing concentration. Having a quiet study corner is one of the ways to keep distractions like the television, toys, visitors, music away for the study time. The place and time creates an impression of concentration and work-time. Children soon learn to associate the two.
Praise - Use the power of praise. Praise the child liberally, but sincerely. Children can see through farcical praise faster than you think. Encourage good work, but do not condemn bad work, correct and motivate them to do better the next time.
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