How To Improve A Child's Focus, Memory, And Concentration By Playing

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Children’s poor concentration abilities aren’t always a long-term issue; you may help them increase their concentration over time.

To begin with, it is critical to note that focus and intelligence are not mutually exclusive. Poor focus abilities do not always imply a lack of intelligence; in fact, the opposite is often the case.

Second, concentration may increase with practise and naturally improves with age.

Play is possibly the most effective strategy to boost your children’s attention span. If it sounds counterintuitive, stick with me as I tell you everything you need to know about concentration and how you can assist your child improve their concentration through play.

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Signs That A Child Has Poor Concentration

Children with a short attention span might show it in a variety of ways. Some of the methods may seem commonplace, while others may not even occur to you.

A child who looks to be focused may actually be having difficulty concentrating.

Let’s have a look at some of the indications of poor concentration in kids.

Constant Fidgeting

This may have been the first thought that sprang to mind when I mentioned low concentration. Many children who have trouble concentrating squirm when they should be sitting still.

Fidgeting, on the other hand, can assist some youngsters (particularly those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD) focus. For these kids, making them sit motionless would focus all of their attention on how much their bodies want to move.

A simple comprehension question will help you determine if your child’s fidgeting is interfering with their ability to concentrate.

Difficulty Following Instructions

Working memory is a component of concentration. A waitress uses working memory to remember your order and pass it on to the cook.

It’s the ability to store a few items in your mind for a short period of time before recalling them quickly.

If your youngster can’t manage to follow two or three instructions, it’s possible that they’re having trouble with working memory, which affects their concentration.

Frequently, these children follow the first or last step to a tee. Everything in the centre has vanished.

Poor Organization Skills

Children that have trouble concentrating will appear to be unable to organise themselves. In truth, the majority of this is due to working memory difficulties, with the youngster forgetting how to organise.

Of course, most youngsters need to be taught how to organise, so you may need to break it down for them into simple steps before dismissing this as a symptom of poor concentration.

They may also misplace items. We all lose things now and then, but a youngster with poor focus may lose things frequently and will be unable to retrace their actions.

For most children, this falls under working memory, but it also has to do with attention.

Easily Distracted

What signs should you look for to see if your youngster is easily distracted? Your child bouncing from one activity to the next in short intervals of time is one of the most visible indications. When they play, their play appears scattered, and they frequently play with all of the things at the same time or in rapid succession.

Daydreaming, on the other hand, might easily distract some children. They may appear to be sitting quietly and focusing, yet their brains are in a whole different place.

How To Help Improve Concentration Through Play

Open-ended play with open-ended toys, in particular, can help your child’s memory and concentration. Children learn about their world and absorb new information into their brains through play.

You can truly utilise open-ended play to teach toddlers how to concentrate. They can concentrate on their play when they are playing with open-ended toys. The more they practise flexing that concentration, the simpler it will become in other parts of their lives.

Use Open Ended Toys

Toys that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways are known as open-ended toys. There are no established guidelines for how to interact with the toys.

Electronic toys, for example, are frequently toy-led play, in which the child must follow the electronic toy’s instructions; this is not an open-ended toy. A play kitchen set, on the other hand, where kids can play chef, pretend doctor, or play house, is an open-ended toy. There are no right or incorrect ways to play with it, and every variation is OK.

There is no right or wrong method to play open-ended games. Children are free to use their imaginations whatever they like. If a youngster is playing with automobiles and determines that all of the vehicles can fly, they are free to do so without fear of being told that “cars don’t fly.”

It allows them to play in any way they like.

Open-ended play is a terrific method to assist your youngster develop their concentration. Children not only get to experience what it’s like to be concentrated, but they also begin to develop abilities that promote focus, such as self-initiation, resilience, independence, and problem-solving.

Your youngsters can learn to focus by engaging in open-ended play.

Playing memory games that boost your child’s working memory is another approach to assist them improve their concentration while you’re playing together. A matching game is the obvious choice. However, you may organically incorporate it into play by having your child play restaurant server, where he or she is the server and must remember your order. Begin with one or two objects and gradually increase until you have four or five. These focus exercises might turn into enjoyable pastimes that will benefit you in the long run.

In another case, my children recently performed the role of a pretend pet veterinarian, and I was shocked at how much working memory was required in their game. The students had to remember the names of their pet patients, the reason for their visit, and all of the made-up diagnoses, tests, and treatments.

Help Your Child Focus

I honestly can’t discuss all of the ways you can utilise play to aid your child with focus and concentration because there are so many. But we’ll focus on a few of my own favourites and ones that have proven to be successful with my own children.

Allowing Time For Meaningful Play

We are frequently rushed in today’s world. Every day is jam-packed with activities, events, things to do, and places to be, and playtime is the first thing to go.

Simply set out time for your youngster to engage in meaningful play. Giving your child 40 minutes of uninterrupted play per day will help you see a significant improvement in his or her ability to concentrate.

Provide Appropriate Toys For Play

Having the time to play is only half the battle; your child also needs open-ended toys that allow them to steer their play with their imaginations.

The following are some examples of open-ended toys:

Blocks and other construction toys (LEGO, MagnaTiles, Blocks)
Dolls and furnishings for dolls
Toys for a Small World (like small animals, people, landscape pieces, and buildings)
Triangle Wobble Boards by Pikler
Play Food, Dress Up Kitchen, with miniature pots, pans, and dishes

Allowing your child to engage in open-ended play and the freedom to explore and do whatever they want can help them focus on other aspects of their lives.

Open-ended toys help your child develop abilities like follow-through, resiliency, and problem-solving, all of which boost their capacity to focus. Children who are resilient and used to following through can focus on tasks that do not interest them.

Importance Of Independent Play

Having time to play alone, whether your child is an only child or has a slew of siblings, is a crucial element of their mental well-being and can help them improve their capacity to focus.

Children often work through events and thoughts during independent play, similar to how adults utilise meditation or exercise to work through their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Consider the last time your mind was overworked and how well you were able to focus. Consider how much easier it is to focus once you’ve worked through your negative emotions and thoughts. Children and independent play work in the same way.

Independent play allows youngsters to work through their problems while also helping them develop focus-related skills such as problem-solving and follow-through.

Allowing your child to play alone and without interruption might help them focus in other parts of their lives.

Family Games

One of the nicest traditions you can start with your children is family game nights. When it comes to playing games for kids, there is a lot to learn.

Games teach youngsters how to obey rules, be patient, take turns, and follow through, all of which help with concentration and focus.

Specific elements of executive functioning, such as working memory, can also be aided by certain games.

Picture puzzles, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and memory games are all enjoyable pastimes that can provide a good workout in focus.

Dramatic Play

Dramatic play is pretend play in which the youngster assumes various roles and tries new activities. Dramatic play includes roles such as house, doctor, airline, hospital, restaurant, and school.

Dramatic play improves a child’s working memory by allowing them to recall their character and work through the mechanisms the character would use.

Working memory is an important component of focus and aiding your child’s concentration. When your child can keep items in their working memory (temporary storage), they will be able to stay focused on one job even if another task comes to mind.

Constructive Play

Children’s resilience, project planning, distress tolerance, emotional management, and cognitive skills are all aided by play. When a youngster builds using blocks, LEGO, or Magnatiles, they must think about what they want to do and plan it out in their heads.

Then, if their plan doesn’t go as planned, they must problem solve. It’s always possible that everything will come crashing down or break apart, in which case your child will need to focus on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

All of these factors contribute to your child’s ability to concentrate.

Playing With Siblings (Cooperative Play)

Children who engage in cooperative play with their peers and siblings achieve more than just social development.

There are greater challenges when there are more people.

When your child plays with others, he or she learns conflict resolution and problem-solving skills that will aid in the development of their own emotional regulation (meaning the meltdowns and blow-ups over big emotions become less).

Cooperative play also increases focus by increasing the ability to tolerate stress. Distress tolerance aids your child’s follow-through, which is commonly referred to as a child’s focus.

The ability to accept and continue working on things that are stressful to your child aids them in sticking with a boring lesson or assignment.

Why Kids Have Poor Concentration

A child’s lack of concentration and difficulty focusing can be caused by a variety of factors.

Poor sleep, food, water consumption, lack of exercise, being over-stimulated or under-stimulated, and emotions can all contribute to a child’s inability to concentrate.

It could indicate a neurological difference in some youngsters, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autism, or depression.

Poor Emotional Regulation

When it comes to focusing, your child’s emotions are equally important. A child who is relaxed is better able to concentrate than one who is upset. If your child has trouble regulating his or her emotions, he or she will most likely have trouble focusing.

Your child’s ability to focus can be improved by teaching them how to control their emotions and making them feel safe and secure. Deep breathing is one of the most effective concentration techniques. This will assist to relax the mind and body while also enhancing cognitive function.

Poor Sleep Habits

One of the most significant influences on attention is a lack of sleep.

Your youngster will need a lot more sleep than you think. In today’s world, getting enough sleep for youngsters can be quite tough.

Not only will obtaining enough sleep help your child concentrate better, but it will also aid in better emotional control and behaviour, completion of daily activities, learning and memory enhancements, and even immune system enhancements.

If your child is getting enough sleep but still has sleep problems, a sleep study may be necessary. Sleep apnea may be the cause for some children, and you should consult with your child’s doctor about it.

If your child isn’t getting enough sleep, consider rearranging their bedtime and wake-up times by half an hour. Even if your child is currently slow in the morning and you are having difficulty getting them out the door, extra sleep could help with that difficult time.

Overstimulation

Overstimulated or understimulated children may find it difficult to concentrate. This is considerably more pronounced in children who have neurological disorders such as autism or ADHD.

Overstimulated children may appear worried or shut down, whereas understimulated youngsters are prone to be fidgety, boisterous, and off target.

Each youngster has a happy middle, or Goldie Locks Zone, where they can be stimulated. Some youngsters benefit from quiet time or a specific study place, while others require some background noise or sensory input to focus.

Minimalistic spaces, subdued colours, reduced sound, silence, noise-canceling ear gear, and the removal of scented candles are some ideas for overstimulated children.

Fidget toys, bright colours, background noise such as music or white noise, and burning scented candles are all good ideas for under-stimulated kids.

Lack Of Exercise

Everyone benefits from exercise, but if your child is having trouble focusing, it can be a part of the answer.

Exercise releases dopamine-like chemicals, which help the brain focus and follow through. Exercise strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which can help with executive functioning, which is important for staying focused.

The hippocampus, which is involved in memory and learning, is another portion of the brain that benefits from exercise.

Working memory is another area of attention where youngsters often suffer, and the hippocampus plays an important role in working memory performance.

Poor Diet

Some children’s concentration problems are caused by their food and the amount of water they drink.

Meals and snacks must be consumed on a regular basis. Protein at each meal can also assist your children’s blood sugar levels stay stable until the following meal or snack.

Protein popsicles, protein smoothies, and energy balls may be the solution if your youngster struggles to eat first thing in the morning. Some children with slow digestive tracts find it difficult to eat first thing in the morning, but a modest, protein-rich breakfast snack and a larger mid-morning snack may be the solution.

Not only is it necessary for children to have regular meal and snack times, but they also need to eat a varied diet. Different vitamins, amino acids, and critical fatty acids sustain your child’s brain throughout the day.

The importance of water consumption cannot be overstated. To concentrate, children must be adequately hydrated. Children’s concentration can be harmed when they are in a condition of water conservation (essentially when their bodies are dehydrated).

Starting at an early age, children should be given water often and taught what it means to be hydrated, including the colour of their urine and the sensation of thirst.

Another strategy to help your child improve their hydration is to incorporate drinking multiple times a day into their daily routine. For example, with meals and snacks, when they wake up, before going to bed, and multiple times throughout the day.

Diagnosis of ADHD

Attention problems are caused by a neurological abnormality. Depression, ADHD, and autism can all have an impact on one’s ability to focus. If your child’s concentrating problems persist and do not improve with modifications, it may be time to consult with your child’s doctor about having a neurological difference evaluated.

It is not a reflection of your parenting or your love for your child if your child has a neurological disability.

Why Children Have A Hard Time Concentrating At School

Many of the factors listed above can influence your child’s ability to pay attention in class. If there isn’t a neurological abnormality such as ADHD or autism, factors such as sleep quality, food, lack of physical activity, and emotions can all contribute to a child’s inability to concentrate.

However, there are a few other factors to consider, such as inadequate habits, the difficulty of their classwork, and learning disparities.

Lack Of Routine

We’ve all done the rushed, unprepared morning ritual with our kids, but if you’re feeling rushed and unprepared on a regular basis, the morning routine could be a contributing factor to your child’s ability to focus at school. Especially if your youngster struggles in the beginning of the day but performs well over the rest of the day.

Here are some suggestions to make your morning routine go more smoothly:

Make as much preparation the night before as feasible. Look for shoes, lay out clothes, pack sandwiches, and think about a crockpot breakfast.
Get up 15-30 minutes before your child to avoid feeling rushed and to allow yourself time to get up.
If you usually get caught in one part of your morning ritual, set alarms on your phone to keep things moving.

Learning Difficulties

Some youngsters may be dealing with a learning problem and go unnoticed. When children with learning difficulties appear distracted or unfocused, it is often because they have a learning disability.

Dyslexia is a frequent learning difference that affects one out of every five children and can range in severity.

When tested, children with milder dyslexia may be able to read at grade level, but they struggle.

Reading can make them exhausted throughout the day since they expend more energy to get through the same material than their peers. They are weary by midday and appear to be zoning out and not paying attention.

You can have your child tested for dyslexia or other learning problems that are impacting his or her ability to concentrate at school.

It’s possible that your child’s focusing challenges will go away once they’ve been appropriately evaluated and addressed.

Difficult School Work

It’s possible that your child’s inability to concentrate in school is due to his or her schoolwork. If your child is having difficulty with the work and it is becoming too challenging for them, they may require accommodations while they catch up.

On the other hand, if your child’s schoolwork is too easy, he or she may get continually sidetracked as a result of boredom. Your child may require a curriculum adjustment or possibly be moved to a different grade level.

Allowing Kids To Play Helps Build Concentration and Focus

You should do the following to help your child increase their focus and concentration:

Recognize the symptoms of low concentration.
Remove any environmental triggers, such as a bad routine, lack of sleep, or a poor nutrition.
Allow time for undisturbed, open-ended play with open-ended toys.
Possibilities for cooperative play with friends should be provided.

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