6 Main Reasons Kids Have Poor Concentration And Fidget Often

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.

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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.

One of my children does not enjoy breakfast, but I can give him a healthy yogurt bowl with flax seeds, chia seeds and fruit on top as a “fancy brunch” and he eats without fuss because it’s fancy and more special than just breakfast. I’m not saying that’s the right thing to do, that’s just what works for us!

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. We tried these vitamins recently but the taste was a turn off for the kids so we have switched to these Honibe brand which they do enjoy and I feel good about the ingredients. If you can’t find the Honibee brand in your area, you can try these Zarbees which have great ingredients.

Another factor to consider is poor water consumption. 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). What I like to do is make a “juice” with water and jello powder to make home made Pedialyte (here is a recipe) when I feel like my kids are dehydrated.

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.