Attention and Focus at School

Taking a Closer Look at the Importance of Focus and Attention in the Classroom

As the demands of curriculum rise and our students are developing in all academic areas, focus and attention are ever important tools students need in order to be successful in the classroom. For some students, these skills come easier than to others; below are some tips and resources to help your child develop the ability to sustain attention during teacher instruction and focus during independent and collaborative work.

Tips:

• Remind your child to choose a seat free from distractions. (ex: a friend, the window, or the door)
• Practice an active listening posture, facing the speaker and giving eye contact, with your child.
• Help your child communicate with the teacher if he/she is not understanding content being taught.
• Play a game with your child where you offer multi-step directions and reward successful completion.
• Start with small goals and build stamina over time.

Additional Resources:

https://www.care.com/a/10-tips-for-getting-kids-to-pay-attention-1309201107

http://www.parents.com/kids/development/intellectual/how-to-improve-attention-spans/

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/08/04/8-practical-pointers-to-help-your-child-pay-attention/

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/stages-milestones/how-kids-learn-to-concentrate