Written by: Prakash Rao, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Concentration can be likened to a muscle that requires regular exercise for strengthening and improvement. While some children may naturally possess stronger concentration abilities than others, all children can learn techniques and practices to enhance their focus on a given task. As children progress through school, they are required to maintain focus for extended periods, making concentration a critical skill for academic success and participation in extracurricular activities.
The Importance of Concentration for Children:
Concentration is vital for children as it enables them to engage in both enjoyable and challenging tasks with equal enthusiasm. Developing strong concentration skills can improve learning and foster self-confidence and a positive self-image in children, which are essential for success in life. Mindfulness, or the ability to pay attention to one thing at a time and live in the moment, shares many similarities with concentration and has been linked to increased happiness and improved academic performance (Brown & Ryan, 2003).
Five Tips to Help Children Build Concentration Skills:
Tip No.1: Prioritize Physical Activity
Physical activity is crucial for children as it energizes and motivates the brain. Encourage children to engage in physical activities such as walking or biking to school, participating in sports, playing outdoors, or completing chores around the house. These activities help children expend their energy, allowing them to better focus on tasks requiring concentration (Tomporowski et al., 2008).
Tip No.2: Encourage Single-Tasking
Single-tasking, or focusing on one task at a time, can be challenging for both children and adults but is critical for enhancing concentration. Encourage children to practice single-tasking by engaging in activities such as singing the alphabet or working through math problems one at a time. This approach helps children allocate their focus and attention to a single task, improving their concentration skills (Rosen et al., 2013).
Tip No.3: Establish a Designated Homework Space and Schedule
Creating a designated homework space and schedule can significantly improve a child's concentration. Ensure the space is quiet, free from distractions such as television, phones, and laptops, and equipped with all necessary materials. Implementing parental monitoring programs or self-monitoring tools can also prevent children from getting distracted by social media platforms during homework time (Foerde et al., 2006).
Tip No.4: Break Large Tasks into Smaller, Manageable Pieces
Breaking challenging tasks into smaller components can prevent children from becoming overwhelmed and losing focus. This approach allows children to tackle tasks one step at a time, enhancing their concentration and reducing stress (Kazak et al., 2015).
Tip No.5: Incorporate Planned Breaks
Taking scheduled breaks is essential for maintaining concentration and avoiding mental fatigue. Allow children to take breaks during which they can engage in physical activities, have a snack, or socialize with friends. These breaks provide an opportunity for children to recharge and return to their tasks with renewed focus and energy (Bélanger et al., 2016).
Conclusion
Concentration is a vital skill for young children that can lead to improved academic performance and a lifetime of success. By implementing these five practical tips, parents and educators can help children develop strong concentration habits, fostering self-confidence, and a positive self-image. By integrating these tips and techniques into daily routines, parents and educators can help young children develop the essential skill of concentration. By fostering strong concentration habits, children will be better prepared to succeed academically and personally, building self-confidence and a positive self-image that will last a lifetime.
Prakash Rao, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Prakash Rao is learning skills guru. He transforms middle school and high school students into super learners. After a career in software development and consulting, Prakash pursued his interest in self development and helping children learn to learn. In this, he is following in his mother's footsteps - Dr. Indira S. Rao developed this methodology as part of her Ph.D. program with Prakash as the subject. Prakash is now the preeminent expert in Dr. Rao's methodology and has made it his mission to unlock children's learning potential and unleash the inner genius.
References:
Bélanger, M., Sabiston, C. M., & Barnett, T. A. (2016). Number of 24-h physical activity recalls needed to estimate energy expenditure. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(14), 1393-1400. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2015.1110348
Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822-848. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822
Foerde, K., Knowlton, B. J., & Poldrack, R. A. (2006). Modulation of competing memory systems by distraction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(31), 11778-11783. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0602659103
Kazak, A. E., Rourke, M. T., & Alderfer, M. A. (2015). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in families of adolescent childhood cancer survivors. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 30(4), 413-421. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsi050
Rosen, L. D., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Facebook and texting made me do it: Media-induced task-switching while studying. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 948-958. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.12.001
Tomporowski, P. D., Davis, C. L., Miller, P. H., & Naglieri, J. A. (2008). Exercise and children's intelligence, cognition, and academic achievement. Educational Psychology Review, 20(2), 111-131. doi: 10.1007/s10648-007-9057-0
